About this role
Job SummaryThe incumbent is a member of the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHSC) based out of the Portland, OR facility and will report directly to the Director of Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE). The purpose of the position is to increase internal and external awareness of VA Programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements and specialized experience within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 08/31/2026. 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 within 30 days of 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: Assists in planning and designing illustration and visualization projects. Plans and develops written and electronic materials and communication strategies. Monitors and manages social media platforms and online channels responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including social media, web, print, broadcast, and other electronic media to convey the organizations mission. Writes news releases, feature stories, extended captions, speeches, social media and web posts/ stories, prepares information packets, media kits, fact sheets, and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. 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. 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 DutiesMajor duties include, but are not limited to: Performs work related to public affairs communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information. Researches, prepares, and takes/ provides photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or VA staff. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including social media, web, print, broadcast, and other electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders. Writes news releases, feature stories, extended captions, speeches, social media and web posts/ stories, prepares information packets, media kits, fact sheets, and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Plans the development and implementation of VAPORHCS outreach programs and activities across the VAPORHCS catchment area that helps ensure Veterans of all era's and demographics are aware of VA services they may be eligible for and enable them to receive those services. Collaborates closely with a variety of clinical and non clinical service lines and program staff to maximize the impact, efficiency, and effectiveness of their outreach activities, requests or requirements while capitalizing on synergistic opportunities. Responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of social media engagement strategies, policies and plans integrated within existing communication campaigns supporting our mission to better serve Veterans. Provides digital media production and support of a highly technical nature that integrates information technologies for clinical, research and administrative staff. Monitors activities and makes recommendations based on strategy and trends. Develops comprehensive plans and policies including key resources, milestones, goals, constraints, approvals, tracking, etc. Plans and develops written and electronic materials and communication strategies that may be implemented throughout VHA. Serves as the primary point of contact for all content on VAPORHCS intranet and internet sites. Incumbent uses a wide range of photographic production equipment, both digital and traditional, to provide high quality photo support to public affairs and other VAPORHCS services. Controls the artistic and creative aspects of the production and/or oversees all post production processes associated with pre-recorded productions. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm PST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD218870 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. 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.