Communications Specialist

Summary

Timely, effective communication with Veterans is critical to the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs. My HealtheVet Change Agent Coordinator serves as facility champion, leads facility teams to support existing and future Veteran communication initiatives, and coordinates local implementation, training, communications, outreach, web health content and support efforts.

Duties

Serves as facility champion, leads facility teams to support existing and future Veteran communication initiatives, and coordinates local implementation, training, communications, outreach, web health content and support efforts. Leads the facility's efforts to integrate MHV and SM among healthcare providers and patients. Serves as SM liaison and administrator to VISN and National MHV teams. Serves as SM liaison and administrator to VISN and National MHV teams. Position Description 5 4 5 4 Responsible for establishing and managing communications plans that identify target audiences, appropriate messages, activities, and resources needed for effective communication, and effective communications plan for change management. Oversees MHV's online presence and web content. Ensures accountability via written communication as it relates to MHV as each of these communication skills contributes importantly to the way VHA communicates with Veterans, Congress, our dedicated volunteers, the public and employees. Develops and updates a facility-specific MHV implementation plan that includes developing a mission/vision statement establishing a local team, leading team efforts, identifying local providers as champions, and developing MHV roles and responsibilities. Designs, conducts, and evaluates innovative means to advertise and market products of the MHV and Social Media Program. Delivers presentations to all levels of the VAMC/HCS, service organizations and Veterans, family members and caregivers which are designed to inform the audience about MHV Program, MHV products, MHV capabilities, and health care issues. Applies advertising and marketing techniques to material produced (e.g., printed articles, brochures videos) to include color dynamics, reading grade level, graphics and design, journalistic writing etc to enlighten target population and maximize outreach efforts. valuates and makes recommendations for effective facility changes that impacts the integration of MHV. Proposes, develops, and implements strategic plans and objectives for the enhancement, maintenance and future advancement of operations for the MHV program. Leads cross-functional teams to provide program metrics, quality improvement, operational planning, and strategic planning. Identifies problems and apply analytical techniques for the purpose of resolving issues. Negotiates conflicting demands and manages multiple projects with tight deadlines. Utilizes interpersonal communication skills to deal with Veterans who are difficult, hostile, or distressed, working with co-workers, supervisors, and high-level management, and negotiating. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Communications Specialist/PD076560 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/13/2026. 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 by 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 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: Skill in organizing and communicating ideas and thoughts effectively through written correspondence and oral presentation. Skill in providing effective communication, problem solving, and customer service with personal contacts to include veteran patient/families and/caregivers daily. Skill in automated data processing applications, e.g., desktop publishing, graphics, etc. to be able to design. Establish and operate in the operations of state-of-the-art personal computer (PC) equipment. Has full understanding of the full range of principles, concepts and techniques of marketing, advertising and salesmanship and the ability to transform these requirements into a working, viable program. Skill to work with clinicians, CACs, and other stakeholders to integrate theory into clinical and business practice patterns and policies. 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/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities..