Communications Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Specialist supports the Department of Veterans Affairs’ mission of timely, effective communication with Veterans through My HealtheVet (MHV), the VA’s Online Personal Health Record, and Secure Messaging. The role supports the My HealtheVet and Social Media Program, including its online presence, web content, marketing, communications, and strategic development.

The specialist advises facility VHA public affairs officers, stakeholders, and VAMC/HCS leadership; develops and evaluates marketing and multimedia campaigns; analyzes participation trends and consumer needs; and delivers presentations to facility staff, service organizations, Veterans, family members, and caregivers. The position also researches and writes communications materials, applies advertising and marketing techniques to published content, develops program plans and policies, and identifies and resolves operational issues.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is ad hoc; this is not a virtual position. Travel to off-site locations is expected. Work is primarily sedentary, with occasional standing for presentations, briefings, speeches, and health fair activities; some slight physical effort may be required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• For current or former Federal employees subject to the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-09 for the GS-11 position.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 in the normal line of progression, including relevant skills and knowledge in audio-visual communication techniques; automated data processing applications such as desktop publishing and graphics; using personal computer equipment; the World Wide Web as a marketing vehicle; editing web pages, creating links, and using social networking technology.
• Completion of all required application steps, including an online assessment.
• Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Successful completion of required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment identification requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Completion of a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Ability to perform primarily sedentary work, with occasional standing and slight physical effort, and travel to off-site locations.

Nice To Haves

• Strong skill in troubleshooting web-based applications.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience with My HealtheVet Secure Messaging.
• Experience with the PATS-R system.

Responsibilities

• Support and guide facility VHA public affairs officers and stakeholders about My HealtheVet.
• Oversee My HealtheVet’s online presence and web content, and lead innovations to keep facility programs current.
• Formulate marketing strategies using research, reports, products, and organizational data.
• Design, conduct, and evaluate innovative advertising and marketing for My HealtheVet and the Social Media Program.
• Analyze participation trends and consumer markets and needs, and advise the VAMC/HCS leadership team about concerns and trends.
• Deliver presentations to VAMC/HCS audiences, service organizations, Veterans, family members, and caregivers.
• Develop multimedia campaign materials, including printed articles, brochures, and videos, to inform target populations.
• Research and write articles, news releases, and briefs for publications and release to other media.
• Apply advertising and marketing techniques to produced materials, including color dynamics, reading grade level, graphics, design, and journalistic writing.
• Propose, develop, and implement strategic plans and objectives to enhance, maintain, and advance My HealtheVet program operations.
• Analyze new or amended legislation and develop policy for programs, activities, or functions for which the facility is responsible.
• Identify problems and apply analytical techniques to resolve issues.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Newly appointed federal employees may request consideration of job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service for annual leave accrual credit; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed