Communications Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Boston, MA

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Specialist is located in the Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) and coordinates marketing, recruiting, and process improvement efforts for outreach across the TRACTS network. The work uses research, reports, products, and organizational data to develop, conduct, and evaluate ways to communicate the short- and long-term benefits of Veteran participation in TRACTS research.

The role identifies outreach opportunities across Massachusetts and New England, develops participant recruitment strategies with TRACTS Principal Investigators, and maintains participant contact records and communications. It also supports study scheduling and administrative operations. The position is not virtual; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location. Regular travel throughout the New England catchment area and TRACTS Research Network is required. The work is primarily sedentary and takes place in a typical office environment, with occasional walking, bending, and lifting of light office equipment or materials.

This is a term appointment not to exceed four years. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have benefits similar to permanent employees, including health and life insurance, within-grade increases, and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower Federal grade level, including experience maintaining websites and social media accounts; developing or modifying advertising media to recruit research participants; analyzing participation trends, customer markets, and customer needs; preparing print materials for varying audiences; and maintaining participant databases and overseeing related data entry. This experience must be supported by the resume.
• Complete the required application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.
• Regular and recurring travel throughout the New England catchment area and TRACTS Research Network.

Responsibilities

• Identify venues, activities, and organizations throughout Massachusetts and New England where post-9/11 Service Members and Veterans can learn about the study and be screened for research participation.
• Develop human-subject recruitment strategies with TRACTS Principal Investigators in compliance with governing regulations and guidelines.
• Maintain the transactional tracking database and oversee data entry for participant contacts and related actions.
• Analyze participation trends, customer markets, and customer needs to create a fact-based outreach and recruitment plan.
• Assist participants with scheduling study-related testing and procedures.
• Assist the administrative officer with budget formulation, billing, fiscal management, operations, information technology, acquisitions, contracting, logistics, administration, safety, and strategic planning.
• Maintain regular contact with study participants, send multiple reminders about participation dates, and guide participants through the study process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally receive health insurance and life insurance, within-grade increases, Federal Employees Retirement System coverage, and Thrift Savings Plan coverage.
• Federal employees may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed