Supervisory Public Affairs Officer

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Supervisory Public Affairs Officer at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis.

The role leads public affairs and communications oversight within applicable laws and policies, guiding media relations, branding, and outreach. You will develop strategies, supervise staff, and act as the primary VA spokesperson, coordinating with congressional staff and senior leaders across the system.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in public affairs for a healthcare facility.
• Experience managing, coordinating, and maintaining a public affairs program including media relations and crisis communications.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with internal and external customers from patients to staff and congressional offices.

Responsibilities

• Directs media relations, publications services, and strategic marketing and branding within the community and region.
• Develops staff direction on public information and community relations activities and represents VA at events.
• Conducts communication audits and advises leadership during crises or major events.
• Analyzes information to determine strategies using all media to reach target audiences.
• Serves as primary media spokesperson for the health system and interprets VA policy locally.
• Facilitates congressional staff interactions during facility visits and events.
• Advises leadership on public affairs issues and potential resolutions.
• Leads projects from initiation to completion and presents results to senior leadership.
• Develops and manages content across radio, TV, print, online media and exhibitions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Oral communication

Critical thinking

Lead or supervise

Veteran and customer focus

Job description

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Public Affairs Officer in the Office of the Director at the Richard L.
Roudebush - VA Medical Center. As a key member of the health care system - the incumbent serves as a leader providing oversight of Public Affairs and Communication activities within the framework of established laws - regulations and local policies of VA and VHI.

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Public Affairs Officer in the Office of the Director at the Richard L.
Roudebush - VA Medical Center. As a key member of the health care system - the incumbent serves as a leader providing oversight of Public Affairs and Communication activities within the framework of established laws - regulations and local policies of VA and VHI.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/30/2026. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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-13 is the full performance level of this position. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 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 managing - coordinating - and maintaining a public affairs program to include media relations - crisis communications - congressional relations for a Healthcare facility. This experience may include applying marketing and media intervention techniques in a Healthcare facility; communicating orally and in writing to internal and external customers from patients to congressional level staff; providing guidance - advice and information regarding healthcare - public relations issues and disseminating information to various social media organizations/venues. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analysis and Problem Solving Written Communication Oral Communication Critical Thinking Lead or Supervise Veteran and Customer Focus 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. Preferred Experience: 3 or more years of supervisory experience. Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary with walking - standing and bending required during presentations - visits and tours of the health care system. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring during other than normal business hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other materials. 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/.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Directs media relations - publications services - and strategic marketing and branding within the community and surrounding region
• Develops and provides staff direction on public information - internal publications - and community relations activities - often representing VHI at public or civic events to promote and improve the perception of VHI as a valued part of the health care community - the community at large and the federal government
• Independently conducts communication audits of the health care system's positioning on controversial issues providing advice and support in media relations to the Medical Center Director (SES) - other management team members - and providing onsite support and guidance during special events or crises
• Analyzes internal and external information - draws conclusions and decides strategies for communication goals - using all forms of media to reach internal and external target audiences
• Serves as the primary media spokesperson for VHI responding to local - regional and national inquiries - interpreting national VA policy and events and evaluating their impact locally
• Facilitates the interaction of congressional representatives and their staff with our staff during facility visits and other significant events
• Advises the director and the Regional Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs on public affairs issues and keeps them informed of potential problems and resolutions
• Serves as the responsible contact for leading projects from initiation to completion and may be required to present the results to senior leadership
• Develops - disseminates and manages the content and distribution of a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of agency programs - employing all types of media - including radio - television - newspapers - magazines - professional and scientific journals - pictures - posters - and exhibits
• Actively participates in appropriate management committees
• Develops a public relations and marketing/communications plan - considering topics - the emphasis to place on them - need to know requirements of various groups and the most effective media to use in communicating information to their intended audiences
• Develops strategic outreach opportunities for targeted populations - to include participation in exhibits - conventions and professional meetings
• Performs supervisory and management duties
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Telework: Available on an ad hoc basis only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Officer/PD912080-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required