Public Affairs Specialist

Description:

This position is located in the Lexington VA Health Care System (LVAHCS). The incumbent serves as a public affairs specialist and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and carrying out a sound public communications and engagement program to communicate agency policies, programs, services, and activities.

Requirements:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/23/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skill in applying these principles and methods in conducting a public affairs program involving public information, internal information, and community engagement activities for
  internal and external audiences. Skill in writing a variety of articles, feature stories, fact sheets and news releases in conveying information, programs, and activities to specialized audiences and the general public. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives, community groups, and state and federal agency representatives. Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating complex data and developing appropriate recommendations. Skill in oral presentation techniques in training agency staff in conducting public involvement meetings and workshops designed to elicit public input on program issues through stimulation of interest among various concerned publics. Knowledge and skill to explain significant issues to generally responsive groups. Ability to utilize leadership, marketing, and team building, in order to work effectively with individuals, groups, and units of government. Knowledge of computer systems required in order to effectively perform assigned duties. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have successfully completed graduate level education beyond master's or equivalent graduate degree and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements.

Preferred Experience: Performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating company information and outreach programs, etc. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media. Writes news releases, feature stories, speeches, information packets, media kits, and fact sheets and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Independently plans, coordinates, executes, and evaluates special events for various audiences.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary; however, it may require some physical exertion such as lifting and carrying video equipment and moving bulky equipment with some frequency.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .