About this role
Job SummaryThis position serves as a Public Affairs (PA) Specialist at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, Columbia, Missouri.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 08/12/2026. 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-12 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: serving as spokesperson for the Medical Center, and as such is the point of contact for local and national media; is the liaison for veterans' service organizations, congressional staffs, community groups, professional organizations, etc. Representing the Medical Center Director, participating at public, civic or social events to improve perception of the Medical Center as a valued part of the medical profession, government, and community. Responsibility for development, coordination, implementation and maintenance of public information and community relations programs. Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs activities to enhance the understanding of the Medical Center's programs among the public and specialized groups and organizations. 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/.
Major DutiesDuties include, but may not be limited to the following: Increasing internal and external awareness of VA programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments. Coordinating multimedia coverage of programs and activities. Serves as medical center social media administrator/source matter expert. Provides expertise in planning and implementing special events, ceremonies, open houses, tours, and other activities conducted for the purpose of generating awareness of and interest in the mission of Truman VA. Planning, developing, and producing a variety of materials and publications. Serving as agency spokesperson in the absence of the Public Affairs Officer. Analyzing internal communication needs and developing publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to VA effectiveness and responsiveness. Developing and utilizing a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals, such as news releases, radio and television scripts, personal appearances, brochures, pamphlets, etc. Regularly prepares news releases and photos for submission to regional and local publications and electronic media. Design, develop, maintain the hospital's external and internal website as well as troubleshoot and resolve any issues, as well as provide support and end user training. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD096510 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Approved Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not ApprovedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.