Communications Specialist (Temporary Promotion NTE 1 Year) - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration : Job Details

Summary This Communications Specialist position is located in The Chief of Staff office at the VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven Campus. This position is a Full-Time at 40 per week. This position serves as facility champion, leads MHV and SM facility teams, and coordinates local MHV implementation, training, communications, outreach, and support efforts. MHV Program Coordinator plans, organizes, directs, evaluates, and reports local MHV-related actions/activities. Responsibilities Duties for this position includes but are not limited to: Working closely with medical center clinicians, Chief of Staff, and/or the Associate Director to encourage involvement and knowledge of MHV information and for approval of promoting/training strategies within the VAMC and in the community. Establishing a MHV team, holds monthly team meetings, and effectively coordinates MHV team activities. Participating in monthly MHVPC and VISN conference calls, attends MHV-related training, and shares lessons learned from this training with team members, other facility staff, and management. Providing one-on-one or group training to providers on a regular basis to encourage involvement with the MHV Program and informs clinicians of new releases and time frames, as well as answers questions related to the MHV Program. Working closely with clinical applications coordinators to promote clinical and Veterans support with the MHV Program and develops and integrates MHV strategies to enhance Veteran-provider communications and improve overall quality of care. Promoting an atmosphere where patients are better able to make informed healthcare choices, stay healthy, and seek services when they need them. Receiving and distributing MHV related training and marketing materials and customizes for local use. Coordinating technical staff efforts to ensure that MHV computers and related equipment are functioning and available to MHV users. Works closely with IRM staff to ensure that appropriate software is loaded and operational in a timely manner and that MHV PCs are functioning and maintained properly. Facilitating interaction with MHV Program office and local technical staff during code deployments. Coordinating local reproduction and distribution of materials, and develops and implements materials for marketing when possible. Develops/employs creative strategies in marketing MHV and obtains funds needed for effectively promoting MHV locally. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not Authorized Telework/Virtual/Remote Work: May be authorized. Telework can be performed on a less than full-time basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space (example: home). Telework Ad-Hoc work can be performed on an as needed basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space (example: home). Virtual work can be performed on a full-time basis using VA-leased space or at a VA facility other than the facility that hired the employee. Remote Work can be performed on a full-time basis anywhere other than a VA facility or using VA-leased space (example: home). Mobile Work requires routine and regular travel to conduct work in customer worksites or other worksites as opposed to a single authorized alternative worksite. Position Description/PD#:Communications Specialist (Temporary Promotion NTE 1 Year) /PD001500 and PD000060 Relocation or Travel Incentives: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the next level or grade level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the higher level. Notifications: This position is a Bargaining Unit position. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, as needed. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Selectee may be required to work at any VISN 1 Healthcare System campus, as needed. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is in the Competitive Service. Time-in-Grade Restriction: 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. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See Additional Information below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/21/2024. 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. For a GS 09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 07. 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: GS-09 Grade Requirement Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: Working closely with clinical applications coordinators to promote clinical and Veterans support with the MHV Program and develops and integrates MHV strategies to enhance Veteran-provider communications and improve overall quality of care. Promoting an atmosphere where patients are better able to make informed healthcare choices, stay healthy, and seek services when they need them. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. of J.D., 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 beyond the first-year level of graduate education This may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the GS-09 grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the GS-09 grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for the GS-09 grade level. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. GS-11 Grade Requirement 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: Promoting an atmosphere where patients are better able to make informed healthcare choices, stay healthy, and seek services when they need them. Receiving and distributing MHV related training and marketing materials and customizes for local use. Coordinating technical staff efforts to ensure that MHV computers and related equipment are functioning and available to MHV users. Works closely with IRM staff to ensure that appropriate software is loaded and operational in a timely manner and that MHV PCs are functioning and maintained properly. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. The degree must be in a field that would equip the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the Communication Specialist position. (Transcripts must be submitted) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first two-year level of graduate education. This may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the GS-11 grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the GS-11 grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for the GS-11 grade level. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Data Management Database Administration Technical Documentation Technical Problem Solving 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. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, but may require periods of standing during presentations, briefings, speeches, health fair activities, etc., although some slight physical effort may be required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: 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: 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: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. This position may be terminated at anytime prior to the 1 year Not To Exceed date.