- Position Title
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBFF-12275396-24-LAJ Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, January 12, 2024 to Tuesday, January 23, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
2.
Are you an employee of the facility indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
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.
- 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.
Preferences
1.
Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location.
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
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.
Accuracy of Application Reminder:
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
3.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Public Affairs Specialist with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Public Affairs. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of Specialized Experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience is subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of your Specialized Experience as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
1.
Selective Placement Factor (SPF): This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability, or other worker characteristic basic to and essential for satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor MUST be reflected in your resume.
The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience developing written materials/correspondences to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to the public.
Do you possess the experience identified in Selective Placement Factor(SPF)?
The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Experience developing written materials/correspondences to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to the public.
Do you possess the experience identified in Selective Placement Factor(SPF)?
2.
If you responded "yes" to the Selective Placement Factor, please provide the Job Title & Dates in the box below of the position(s) listed on your resume where this experience was gained. This experience MUST be reflected in your resume to be considered as qualifying for this position. DO NOT insert "see resume"; doing so OR failing to list the Selective Placement Factor requirements matching your experience may render your application ineligible for consideration this vacancy.
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This section includes questions about the Specialized Experience for this vacancy. In addition to the above Selective Placement Factor (SPF), applicants must meet the Specialized Experience. Carefully read the following descriptions below, select ONE statement below that best describes your experience and qualifications for the Public Affairs Specialist GS-1035-13. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Read all responses before making your selection. Failure to provide the required information will render your application ineligible for consideration. From the responses below, select ONE response that best describes how you met the requirements for this position. Note: Specialized Experience MUST be substantiated in your resume. Failure to provide the required information may render your application ineligible for consideration.
3.
For the Public Affairs Specialist GS-1035-13:
Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Experience applying mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques to develop and apply new approaches to difficult and complex public affairs problems of the healthcare system; experience analyzing public reaction to programs and policies and developing recommendations to modify those programs and policies based on those recommendations; experience utilizing graphic design, photography, videography, advertising, and budgeting and procurement for communicational products; using advanced knowledge of theories, principles, practices, and techniques of VHA, VISN, and healthcare system policies and program activities to resolve complex public affairs issues; and experience preparing, editing, and rewriting original papers, articles, or reports in the engineering, scientific, technical, and professional fields intended for web publication and wide dissemination.
Do you possess one-year Specialized Experience as described above equivalent to at least the GS-12 level?
Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Experience applying mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques to develop and apply new approaches to difficult and complex public affairs problems of the healthcare system; experience analyzing public reaction to programs and policies and developing recommendations to modify those programs and policies based on those recommendations; experience utilizing graphic design, photography, videography, advertising, and budgeting and procurement for communicational products; using advanced knowledge of theories, principles, practices, and techniques of VHA, VISN, and healthcare system policies and program activities to resolve complex public affairs issues; and experience preparing, editing, and rewriting original papers, articles, or reports in the engineering, scientific, technical, and professional fields intended for web publication and wide dissemination.
Do you possess one-year Specialized Experience as described above equivalent to at least the GS-12 level?
4.
If you responded "yes" to the Specialized Experience, please provide the Job Title, Dates, and a brief example of the position(s) where this experience was gained in the box below of the position(s) listed on your resume. This experience must be reflected in your resume to be considered as qualifying for this position. DO NOT insert "see resume"; doing so OR failing to list the requirements matching your Specialized Experience may render your application ineligible for consideration for this vacancy.
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Required Documents - Review the "Required Documents" section of the vacancy announcement to ensure you have submitted all required documents. All fillable documents must be completed with your information. Links to documents are not accepted. If you fail to submit all required documents AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, you will be disqualified for the position. Late, additional, or edited documents are not permitted.
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Name, Contact Information, 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). 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 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. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
Merit Promotion Documentation Reminder - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your last or most recent computer-generated SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action." The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (career or career-conditional status in block 24, code 1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). This form may be obtained at https://eopf.opm.gov/va/ You must submit the SF-50 obtained through eOPF. Applicant-generated SF-50s are not allowed. If you have previously held a higher or same grade and are applying based on that grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade IN ADDITION to your last or most recent SF-50 indicating proof of status. You are required to submit as many SF-50 as needed to show you meet at least one year of specialized experience/time-in-grade. If proof of meeting experience/time-in-grade is not provided at the time of application, you will be screened out. Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee. An SF-50 showing 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. Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade. Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.