Public Affairs Specialist- Outreach Coordinator for the Wilmington VA Medical Center (VAMC) plans the development and implementation of all outreach programs and activities that are appropriate for expanding the patient base of the Wilmington VAMC and increasing the number of Veterans who receive care at the Wilmington VAMC and its CBOCs. The incumbent works closely with clinical service lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, Homeless Program staff, Eligibility, Veterans Experience Office, Transition & Care Management program staff, Women Veterans Program staff, and others to enhance outreach methods to maximize the growth potential of the Wilmington VAMC.In addition, the incumbent performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as generating media interest and coordinating agency information in support of outreach and public affairs programs.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Produce professional written and oral presentations;
• Identify outreach opportunities and work independently to coordinate staff, communication materials, and logistics including preparing outreach bins for community outreach events to maximize exposure of the Wilmington VAMC to Veterans and other stakeholders within the Wilmington VAMC catchment area.
• Develop public involvement events that target concerned communities, establishes methods for reaching and eliciting input from targeted communities. Utilize analytical techniques to evaluate input and public comments regarding program issues.
• Collect, summarize and analyze public sentiment to develop recommendations for program improvements.
• Communicate effectively with diverse Veteran audiences about VA healthcare.
• Work diplomatically with internal and external constituents.
• Plan community events.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Keep abreast of emerging issues which impact the Wilmington VAMC.
• Meet critical deadlines.
• Utilize a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media to convey the VA mission and outreach efforts.
• Oversight and coordination of all written and exhibit materials that reflect the Wilmington VAMC in an accurate manner and further the mission of VHA.
• Develop relationships with business and community leaders to foster communication and a favorable reputation within the community.
• Maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with representative of local media, Veteran's Service Organizations and event organizers.
• Research, prepare, and provide photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or management staff in collaboration with Visual Communication Specialist.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8am to 4:30pm Monday -Friday
Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc 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/PD00346A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2026.

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 by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS 11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 9. 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 9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning, developing and implementing outreach programs, activities and community events. Establishing methods for reaching and eliciting input. Utilizing analytical techniques to evaluate input and public comments regarding program issues. Collecting, summarizing and analyzing public sentiment to develop recommendations for program improvements. Preparing and executing public speeches. Communicating effectively with diverse audiences. Producing professional written and oral presentations. Working diplomatically with internal and external constituents. Developing relationships with business and community leaders. Utilizing a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media to convey the VA mission and outreach efforts. Supporting media, community, and staff relations. 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 three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, LL.M., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled. The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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 a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Preferred Experience: 3 years of public speaking, able to coordinate and plan public events, meet set goals on time and have 3 years of experience working with Veterans and/or community partners.