Supervisory Communications Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/28/2026. 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 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-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: advertising and salesmanship and the ability to transform these requirements into a working, viable program. Knowledge and understanding of facility clinical, business, and operational processes and workflows. Skill to work with clinicians and Clinical Application Coordinators (CACs) to integrate theory into clinical and business practice patterns and policies.

Skills to facilitate, negotiate, and mitigate SM and MHV-related challenges. Skill in organizing and communicating ideas and thoughts effectively through written correspondence and oral presentation. Journalistic skills are necessary to develop materials to convey information in a professional format generally acceptable to the public. Knowledge of the World Wide Web as a marketing vehicle. Skill in editing web pages and creating links and using social networking technology.

Knowledge of and skill in automated data processing applications, e.g., desktop publishing, graphics, etc. to be able to design, establish, and operate in the operation of state-of-the-art personal computer (PC) equipment. Skill in audio-visual techniques to assist in preparation of radio, television, slide show, speech materials, or other methods of communication.

Knowledge of a wide range of concepts and practices relating to the basic process of administration, the principles and standards of management and the techniques of organization, direction, coordination, and control. Skill, knowledge, and ability to analyze a variety of research reports, studies, fact sheets, and other documents and translate from analytical to commonly understood language..

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Security Management Creativity and Innovation Data Management Planning and Evaluating 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.

01Physical 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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

My HealtheVet is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sponsored website for Veterans, their families, advocates, and VA employees. My HealtheVet (MHV) is a web-based application designed for Veterans and their families with the goal of optimizing Veterans' healthcare. Through MHV, Veterans can build their own Personal Health Record by self-entering personal and health-related information, as well as their health readings.

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, incorporate multiple channels to manage expectations and disseminate project progress. Establishes and manages the training plans and design and perform needs assessments within the project relative to functional and training needs and project effectiveness.

Coordinates personnel and resources to evaluate the educational needs of Veterans and employees to develop MHV educational and training programs/classes. 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.

Establishes, develops, and implements local MHV-related goals, strategies to meet goals, identifies responsible parties, tracks progress, including monitoring goals/activity status, and reports status/progress to medical center management. Designs, conducts, and evaluates innovative means to advertise and market products of the MHV and Social Media Program. Conducts required coordination and obtained clearances as required for release of information.

Maintains liaison with VISN and national MHV teams and coordinators to ensure correct, current, and accurate portrayal of information is provided to meet objectives. Consults with representatives of academia and industry on marketing and advertising trends and application techniques. Analyzes functional clinical and business process changes or impact to clinical guidelines in terms of policies, procedures, and user behaviors.

Manages multiple projects by planning and organizing activities for secure messaging, social media, and all other MHV projects. Proposes, develops, and implements strategic plans and objectives for the enhancement, maintenance, and future advancement of operations for the MHV program.

Manages, administers, and provides leadership for the facility by creating facility deployment plans; developing budgets and spending plans; formulating contracts or grants; and planning, scheduling, and coordinating work operations to ensure the success of the MHV program. Manages multi-disciplinary teams comprised of professional, technical and support personnel to coordinate clinical and business functions for the MHV program.

Leads cross-functional teams to provide programming metrics, quality improvement, operational planning, and strategic planning. Develops implements, maintains, and documents MHV internal and control policies and procedures. Collects, develops, implements, and documents data to assist management with MHV operational decisions. Identifies problems and apply analytical techniques for the purpose of resolving issues.

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. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.

Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointments, promotion, or reassignment to such positions. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring to group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager. Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Communications Specialist/PD503280 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized