Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CARZ-11315661-22-FG Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, December 7, 2021 to Monday, December 13, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy; AND, 
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the locations you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
(limit characters)
Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
  • Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
(limit characters)
Veterans' Preference Documentation Reminder: In order to receive appropriate consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for Veterans' Preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference along with the required documentation listed on the form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of experience and/or education or training that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). (limit characters)
1. Do you have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of a Public Affairs Specialist? To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 level of Federal service. Specialized experience is experience where you were responsible for conducting a public affairs program for an organization with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal information, and community relations activities; applying advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques to the solution of public affairs issues; planning, developing, and/or producing a variety of materials and publications (including print, visual, Web-based, multimedia, and video materials) to promote understanding of various points of view or ideas; communicating with groups and/or individuals with varying levels of understanding and different interests and perspectives; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; and gathering and evaluating information for communication to media. NOTE: Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title; duties; month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of public information programs for internal communications, media, and community relations.
(limit characters)
3. Gathers, develops, and checks the accuracy of information by researching and by interviewing with subject-matter specialists, program officials, and policy makers.
(limit characters)
4. Advises on strategies related to editorial style, publication workflow, and related issues.
(limit characters)
5. Develops and initiates Network-wide public relations and marketing/communications plans
(limit characters)
6. Promotes the use of and submits articles to national publications.
(limit characters)
7. Serves as a primary and/or secondary spokesperson, congressional and media liaison, and speechwriter.
(limit characters)
8. Coordinates, promotes, and executes effective public affairs training.
(limit characters)
9. Provides expertise in planning and implementation of communication campaigns.
(limit characters)
10. Conducts public affairs assessments at medical facilities and provides feedback to evaluate public affairs performance and maximizes public affairs operation efficiency.
(limit characters)
11. Edits, writes, produces, and publishes press releases, videos, pamphlets, memorandums, letters, and a wide variety of other written communications and other effective tools for communication to stakeholders and submission to regional and local publications and electronic media.
(limit characters)
12. Independently plans, implements, and evaluates information programs.
(limit characters)
13. Provides public affairs support to facilities virtually and/or in person.
(limit characters)
RESUME REMINDER - Your resume must include the following information each job listed: * Job title * Duties (be as detailed as possible) * Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) * Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) * Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. (limit characters)
Veteran's Preference Documentation Reminder - When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability. If the military member is within 120 days of separation and does not yet have a DD214, the member may instead submit any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. (limit characters)