Public Affairs Specialist at Fargo

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy ID: 936435 

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Countrys service.

If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA. The VA is committed to hiring Veterans. The VA is much more than just another employer. It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care. Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence (“I CARE”).

Americas Veterans need you! To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation.

DUTIES:Back to top

LOCATION:  VA Medical Center, Fargo, ND. 

 

NOTE:  The TCF internship is a comprehensive two-year program designed to traincandidates for positions within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Thisprogram provides the foundation for developing interns from entry level to fullperformance level. It includes planned training, rotational assignments, andon-the-job work experiences. Travel required 1-3 times per year. With more than150 medical centers and hundreds of clinics nationwide, it is possible that youwill need to relocate for a position. You will be required to sign a mobilitystatement before entering the TCF program. If relocation is necessary forpermanent placement, VA pays for moving expenses.

NOTE:  This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major dutieslisted below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-5/7grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with lessindependence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary toperform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at thediscretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance,availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

 

This position is that of a Public Affairs Specialist located in Public Affairs in the (Program Office or Service Line) at the VA Hospital. This is a developmental level position and responsibilities will advance as employee moves toward the full performance level of a GS-11 Public Affairs Specialist, applying the appropriate rules/regulations used in conducting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) business as well as the Technical Career Field program guidelines. The employee will perform work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information and outreach programs, etc.

 

Assists in the organization and coordination of print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders. Writes news releases, feature stories, speeches, information packets, media kits, and fact sheets and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures.

 

Work Schedule:  Full-time Employment; Monday thru Friday:  8:00am to 4:30pm.

 

***RELOCATION EXPENSES AND/OR INCENTIVES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED***

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

EligibilityInformation:

Applicants must be a recent graduate who has completed,within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional,doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifyingeducational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g.,law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note:Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifyingeducational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time studythat’s part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, orbusiness school curriculum.

Veterans (as defined in 5 USC 2108) who, due to militaryservice obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent GraduatesProgram during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described abovehave a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge fromactive duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years fromthe date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study.

FORGS-5:

Possess a completed 4-year course of study leading to abachelors degree or possess a bachelors degree. NOTE:A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all orpart of your qualifications on education. Unofficial transcripts required. Applications submitted without thisinformation will not be considered. ~OR~

Possess completed education beyond the bachelorsdegree, e.g., graduate study, masters degree, Ph.D. NOTE: A transcript or course listing must besubmitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.Unofficial transcripts required.Applications submitted without this information will not be considered. ~OR~

Possess three years of experience in planning for special programs and projectswhich enhance the publics perception of the unit, e.g., media and civic leadertours, etc; writes feature stories, news articles, staff studies, surveys, andspecial reports; prepares or assembles information kits; prepares and/or typescorrespondence, speeches, messages, reports, orders for mandates, travel orders,news releases, information sheets, invitations, letters of appreciation, etc.;and is responsible for correct format, punctuation, grammar, and spelling. NOTE: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis oftime actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receivecredit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties andresponsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in suchemployment. ~OR~

Possess an equivalent combination of education andexperience in order to meet the total experience requirements for the GS-5level. NOTE: To calculatethe combination of education and experience, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentageof the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the amountof education you have as a percentage of the education required for thegrade level. Only education in excess of the amount required for the nextlower grade level is qualifying. Add the two percentages; the totalpercentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level. Unofficialtranscripts required. Applications submitted without this information will notbe considered.

For GS-7:

 

Posess abachelors degree and superior academic achievement. Superior academicachievement. 1) Class standing (the upper third of the graduating class) 2).Grade-point average 3.0 or higher. 3). Honor society membership or have onefull year of graduate level study or possess a masters or higher degree, e.g.,Ph.D., in a subject that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilitiesnecessary to do the work. Such subjects include journalism, advertising,creative writing, radio and television, speech, public speaking, groupdynamics, interviewing techniques, or questionnaire design. NOTE: A transcript or courselisting must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualificationson education. Unofficialtranscripts required. Applications submitted without this information will notbe considered. ~OR~

Possess one year of specialized experience in presenting analyses of factualmaterial in narrative form, such as writing news reports or magazine articles;conducting tours of facilities and explaining the work performed; marketresearch activities; writing and developing materials for employees and publiccommunications; arranging and coordinating interviews with local, regional andnational officials; or composing and preparing correspondence, reviews andclips/transcripts of print and electronic media, etc. This experience must beequivalent to the GS-5 in federal service. 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 inappropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for suchexperience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties andresponsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in suchemployment. ~OR~

Possess an equivalent combination of education andexperience in order to meet the total experience requirements for the GS-5level. NOTE: To calculatethe combination of education and experience, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentageof the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the amountof education you have as a percentage of the education required for thegrade level. Only education in excess of the amount required for the nextlower grade level is qualifying. Add the two percentages; the totalpercentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level. Unofficialtranscripts required. Applications submitted without this information will notbe considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Assignments regularly involve extended periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping to execute logistics for special events or to accompany media crews or other special groups. Incumbent is also required to regularly pick up loads of 15 pounds such as boxes of newspapers and other literature and to push carts of supplies.

 

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Managements website at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Please refer to this checklist to ensure proper accreditation and for foreign education requirements.

Veterans Preference:

When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability.  If the military member is within 120 days of separation and does not yet have a DD214, the member may instead submit any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.

Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, non service-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed " SF15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference ," (go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and required documentation with your application materials. For more information on Veterans Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.

 

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: North Dakota, City: Fargo, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.