Public Affairs Specialist – Outreach Specialist

Summary The Dayton VA Medical Center is looking for a Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Specialist) to support the Community and Public Relations Service. Responsibilities Major Duties and Responsibilities: Event Coordination, 40% The incumbent independently prioritizes and effectively manages multiple projects simultaneously. Schedules community outreach activities up to a year in advance to plan promotional campaigns. Performs site visits to locations in the community to determine if the location is appropriate for conducting outreach events. Represents the Dayton VA Medical Center, DVAMC, at events to discuss VA eligibility, programs, and services available throughout the DVAMC. The incumbent will generate leads through scheduling events, promotions, and awareness campaigns. Incumbent ensures that physical locations are safe including exhibit space furnishings. The incumbent photographs and records events using proper procedures such as image release documents. Responsibilities include maintaining detailed records of each event and/or program and preparing After Action Reports. Coordination of events includes but is not limited to, assisting with budget development, contracting, procurement, logistics, planning, personnel, public relations, engagement, and development of public/private partnerships. The incumbent utilizes oral and written communication skills to establish and maintain functional working relationships with diverse populations. Diverse populations include varied age groups and differing educational and socioeconomic levels. Competency required to develop and deliver presentations for diverse audiences and varying sizes from small meetings to large conferences. Works with Medical Media to complete and/or edit informational materials for individual events (posters, brochures, signs, etc.); writes copy; selects photos/ art; reviews design, layout, and composition of creative concepts. Community Liaison / Outreach, 25% The Outreach Specialist will set the operational approach to recruiting and enrolling new, unique Veterans into the DVAMC. Additional unique enrollees generate VERA revenue for the facility. Additionally, the Outreach Specialist will work with Primary Care and Mental Health to retain and engage all current enrollees to maintain the associated VERA funding. Effective outreach also leads to other measurable outcomes (like an increase in donations and an increase in the use of Fisher House). The incumbent gathers the needed data for future potential sites of care. The incumbent ensures follow-up is made regarding VA eligibility information at outreach events and to Veterans who contact the Community and Public Relations Service by mail, phone, and e-mail through the DVAMC web page. The incumbent proactively works with Patient Business Services to keep abreast of all current VA eligibility, enrollment, and reimbursement policies. The incumbent establishes and maintains contact with minority organizations within the local area served by the facility. This task involves presenting information concerning benefits, feedback sessions, and following up on questions and concerns. Data Analysis and Budget, 25% The incumbent will prepare monthly reports indicating the number of new enrollees and eligibility categories, the number of outreach events attended, and event and marketing costs. The incumbent will evaluate the return on investment by analyzing outreach costs and the number of new enrollees vested at outreach events. Market penetration data will be analyzed to achieve the yearly facility growth goal. The incumbent plans, executes and evaluates the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals. Program Management, 10% Develops and distributes a yearly schedule of community outreach activities. Coordinates staffing, supplies, budgets, and marketing materials for each event. Tasks include identifying communication needs and developing informational materials that inform the appropriate audience of the agencys policies, programs, services, and activities. Enhances employee knowledge and pride in the health care system through internal communications, special employee displays, and orientation materials. Performs other duties as assigned. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm regular schedule, with necessary weekend/ evening hours for outreach events accommodated for in schedule whenever possible Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist – Outreach Specialist/PD929710 Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/25/2024. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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. GS-09: 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-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Coordinating events and outreach activities Researches outreach opportunities, coordinates, and gives support of major events Complete and/or edit informational materials Coordinate giveaway items, event set-up and exhibit space furnishings Ability to meet critical deadlines, work flexible hours, and develop community relationships to foster concise and favorable communications. Knowledge of VA benefits and services. Ability to independently prioritize projects and effectively manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse Veteran audiences about VA health care by working diplomatically with internal and external constituents. Planning and organizing work and ability to quickly adapt to situational issues 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 masters or equivalent graduate degree, OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond. GS-11: 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. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Ability to identify outreach opportunities, develop and implement initiatives and strategies to maximize exposure of the VA to Veterans. Ability to conduct research, plan community events, produce professional written, and oral communications, along with staying abreast of emerging issues which impact the Dayton VA Medical Center. Ability to prepare monthly enrollment reports Works regularly with writing, editing, design, and production on various publications. Schedules community outreach activities up to a year in advance to provide time to plan a promotional campaign for each activity, reserve space within the community and at VSO post homes, coordinate the needed staffing, supplies and budget for each activity, and develop the necessary intake forms and marketing materials. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration Communications Physical Strength Safely Operate a Motor Vehicle Interpersonal Skills 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long visits to outdoor sites in parks or forests which expose the public affairs specialist to inclement weather or require movement over rough or uneven surfaces in natural or industrial settings. Work requires specific, but common physical characteristics such as above average resistance to fatigue. Must be able to lift more than 40 pounds and independently set up a canopy tent, tables, tablecloth, chairs, and promotional materials at community engagement events. Must be a valid licensed automobile operator. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.