Public Affairs Specialist – Community Outreach Assistant

Summary The Dayton VA Medical Center is looking for a Public Affairs Specialist – Outreach Assistant. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in community outreach, marketing, and special events for the Dayton VA Medical Center. The incumbent plays a supportive role in the coordination of regional and on-campus marketing efforts in support of local and regional outreach efforts. The incumbent attends and represents the VA at a variety of events. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Event Execution, 40% 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 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. 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. Data Collection and Research Support, 35% The incumbent will capture and contribute data for monthly reports indicating the number of new enrollees and eligibility categories, the number of outreach events attended, and event and marketing costs. Utilizes a variety of software types to develop, enter, revise, sort, calculate, and retrieve information to create recurring or specialized reports. Collects, consolidates, and analyzes data for various projects and committees. Gathers and prepares material for use in reports, minutes, and presentations. The incumbent organizes the material and draws attention to the most important aspects. Statistical and other informational material is obtained from various sources and is incorporated into charts, graphs, and narrative reports. Establishes protocols for incoming data, organizes computerized data sets, retrieves computerized data, and performs a basic analysis of the data before generating the document. Coordinates the submittal of information from the outreach section, reviews reports or outgoing correspondence for proper attachments, and monitors deadlines. Ensures document completion within established timeframes. Further ensures proper disposal and/or archiving of records. Safeguards personal data and sensitive policy-making data against unauthorized disclosure. Notifies the Security Officer upon disclosure or suspected disclosure of sensitive data by others. Community Liaison / Outreach, 25% The Outreach Assistant will support the overall approach to recruiting and enrolling new, unique Veterans into the DVAMC. Additional unique enrollees generate Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) revenue for the facility. Additionally, the Outreach Assistant 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 performs routine office duties, including responding to and referring telephone calls and visitors, and sorting and disseminating incoming mail and e-mail. Incumbent serves as a member of various committees. The incumbent proactively works with Patient Business Services to keep abreast of all current VA eligibility, enrollment, and reimbursement policies. 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 Monday – Friday regular schedule, with necessary weekend/evenings for outreach events Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized 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 – Community Outreach Assistant/PD930070 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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, 10/28/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS-04 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-05 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-04. 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- 05 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-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse Veteran audiences about VA healthcare by working diplomatically with internal and external constituents. Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS-05 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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. GS- 06 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-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse Veteran audiences about VA healthcare by working diplomatically with internal and external constituents. Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals. Ability to identify outreach opportunities Effectively contribute to multiple complex projects simultaneously. Meet critical deadlines, work flexible hours, and develop relationships with business and community leaders to foster concise and favorable communications. Ability to maintain data and contribute to monthly reports indicating the number of new enrollees and eligibility categories, the number of outreach events attended, events and marketing costs, along with evaluating the return on investment. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration Communications Veteran and Customer Focus Physical Strength Driver Safety 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: 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 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. 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 This occupation is being considered for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive (CSI). Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI. The amount of lump sum CSI is determined based on appointment date and may be pro-rated as determined by the end date of the CSI. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. This occupation is currently approved for a Veterans Health Administration enterprise-wide Critical Skills Incentive through [insert date]. Candidates may be eligible for a lump sum CSI for a pro-rated amount if onboard prior to the CSI expiration date. Eligible candidates will be required to sign a service agreement agreeing to an obligated service period and failure to complete the obligated service period may result in a debt for the unearned portion of the CSI. 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.