Public Affairs Specialist

Veterans Health Administration; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, seeks a Public Affairs Specialist to serve as Congressional Liaison.

You will respond to congressional inquiries, coordinate briefings, and manage executive level correspondence to promote VA's high-quality care and public trust. Telework may be authorized ad-hoc.

The role requires collaboration with facility leadership, adherence to federal communications practices, and back-up support for the Public Affairs Office.

Qualifications

• Public relations experience within government or health care sectors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to coordinate meetings and briefings with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Congressional Liaison for the VAPIHCS and respond to congressional inquiries and complaints on clinical and administrative issues.
• Coordinate Congressional/VSO briefings, including agenda development, invitations, facilities, and catering.
• Act as the central point for all correspondence and tasks from internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in long- and short-range planning for healthcare segments within the Medical Center.
• Promote VA's high-quality care using public relations and health administration skills; provide back-up support for the Public Affairs Officer.

Skills

Public relations

Government relations

Communication with congressional staff

Event coordination

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. The position serves as the Legislative Liaison, reports to the Director via the Chief, Public Affairs Office, and has overall responsibility for all executive level Congressional correspondence.

Key Responsibilities

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent serves as the Congressional Liaison for the VAPIHCS and works with the facility leadership to respond to congressional complaints/inquiries/appeals on both clinical and administrative problems/issues brought to the Director by Veterans, members of the staff, VISN, VBA, NCA, VACO, state and local legislative and executive government officials, other Federal Agencies, and Congressional staff members which may require conflict mediation.

Coordinates Congressional/Veteran Service Organization (VSO) briefings, to include development of agenda and presentation materials, invitation of congressional and VSO staff, arranging for conferencing facilities and catering activities. The incumbent serves as the central reception, dissemination, coordination, and monitor point for all correspondence and tasks from internal and external stakeholders.

Participates in both long and short-range planning by coordinating the administrative needs of various healthcare segments within the Medical Center. Develops recommendations and plans of action by adapting principles, practices and procedures to meet the specialized needs of the assigned program and/or healthcare group. The incumbent serves as the back-up VAPIHCS Public Affairs Officer.

The Public Affairs Officer applies solid public relations, media and health administration skills to ensure that resources are utilized effectively and efficiently to market, provide information and promote VA's high-quality care that exceeds community and national standards and industry best practices. Additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc may be authorized at Supervisory discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD008280 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $77964 – $101359/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-15.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.