Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

The Public Affairs supervisory position exercises full delegated authority and responsibility for developing, managing, and administering a comprehensive Public Affairs Program. The Public Affairs Specialist serves as spokesperson for the Medical Center, and is the point of contact for local and national media; it is the liaison for Veterans' service organizations, congressional staffs, community groups, professional organizations, etc.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet time‑in‑grade and specialized experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement – 03/13/2026. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to:
Experience where you were responsible for applying advanced communication and analytical practices – methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems; planning – developing – and producing a variety of materials and publications (including print – visual – Web‑based – multimedia – and video materials) to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts; advising leadership on the development of communication plans and strategies;

establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; and coordinating and implementing special events – ceremonies – outreach campaigns – tours – and other activities to generate public awareness of the organization’s mission.

NOTE:

Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title – duties – month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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 Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree – or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree – or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge – skills – and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

NOTE:

Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR – Combination:
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of a master’s or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS‑11 level. If related that demonstrates the knowledge – skills – and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

NOTE:

If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify – a copy of your transcript is required. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience – including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. – Peace Corps – Ameri Corps) and other organizations (e.g. – professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).…