Public Affairs Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Honolulu, HI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS). The Public Affairs Specialist serves as the facility’s Legislative Liaison, reports to the Director through the Chief, Public Affairs Office, and is responsible for executive-level Congressional correspondence. The incumbent handles Congressional complaints, inquiries, and appeals involving clinical and administrative matters; coordinates Congressional and Veteran Service Organization briefings; and serves as a central point for receiving, distributing, coordinating, and monitoring correspondence and tasks from internal and external stakeholders. The role also supports planning and administrative coordination across healthcare segments and serves as backup Public Affairs Officer, applying public relations, media, and health administration skills to promote VA care and provide information effectively. The position is not virtual. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad-hoc telework may be authorized at the supervisor’s discretion. Work is generally performed in an office, with travel within the medical center to attend meetings and observe patient care and activities. The work is primarily sedentary, with occasional walking through the facility or carrying folders or manuals weighing up to five pounds.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if a current or former Federal employee subject to them: for GS-11, 52 weeks at GS-9.
Qualify through one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, such as Congressional correspondence and briefing coordination, developing information briefings, reviewing proposals, coordinating stakeholder correspondence and healthcare administrative needs, or assisting with public affairs matters; or qualify through the specified graduate education; or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject to background and security investigation and required to complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Competencies assessed include Data Management, Organizational Awareness, Analysis and Problem Solving, and Systems Thinking.

Responsibilities

Respond to Congressional complaints, inquiries, and appeals concerning clinical and administrative issues brought to the Director by Veterans, staff, VISN, VBA, NCA, VACO, government officials, other Federal agencies, and Congressional staff; facilitate conflict mediation when needed.
Coordinate Congressional and Veteran Service Organization briefings, including developing agendas and presentation materials, inviting Congressional and VSO staff, and arranging conference facilities and catering.
Serve as the central reception, dissemination, coordination, and monitoring point for correspondence and tasks from internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate administrative needs of healthcare segments within the Medical Center as part of long- and short-range planning.
Develop recommendations and action plans by adapting principles, practices, and procedures to the specialized needs of the assigned program or healthcare group.
Serve as backup VAPIHCS Public Affairs Officer, helping ensure effective use of resources to market VA care, provide information, and promote the quality of VA services.
Perform additional duties as assigned.