Visual Information Specialist - Graphic Artist_

Summary This position serves as a Visual Information Specialist for the Michael J. Crescenz VAMC Public Affairs and Medical Media Office in Philadelphia, PA. The incumbent performs graphic design and visual communication planning and development, web design and content management along with photography and videography. This position enhances the medical center's mission by optimizing communication with a variety of audiences through many forms of media. Responsibilities Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: The incumbent serves as visual information expert performing work involving communicating information through visual means for public affairs activities and medical/scientific/leadership presentations. Work includes the design and production of complex posters, exhibits, brochures, newsletters, resource guides, patient and stakeholder education materials, PowerPoint presentations, freehand and computer-generated illustrations, diagrams, graphs, charts, and photographs for a variety of communication mediums including but not limited to print, video, web, etc. The work requires knowledge of and ability to apply the principles of visual design; knowledge of the technical characteristics associated with various methods of visual display; and the ability to present subject matter information in a visual form that will convey the intended message to, or have the desired effect on, the intended audience. The incumbent works independently and/or with subject matter experts to determine the most effective strategies for visual communications. Independently plans and completes visual communication projects. He/she develops design ideas for the appearance and content of the product, selects visual materials such as graphics and illustrations to be used in the communication of information; designs the placement and appearance of visual materials; designs the placement of text in relation to art; decides type styles and typographical effects; and plans effective use of color schemes, textures, and shapes considering the technical requirements of a particular method of communication. The incumbent determines the most effective visual strategies for communicating information to the target audiences. Produces original illustrations, logo designs, and other original art illustrations via computer illustration and freehand technique. Will utilize numerous graphic design software packages including, but not limited to Adobe Creative Suite, Power Point, etc. Responsible for all, design, testing, implementation, updating, and management of the Crescenz VAMC Internet and Intranet (SharePoint) web sites. Maintain facility-wide SharePoint sites to ensure content reliability and hyperlink function. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Visual Information Specialist - Graphic Artist/PD015070 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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) Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/05/2024. 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-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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: performs graphic design and visual communication planning and development, web design and content management, photography and videography in order to optimize communication; serves as visual information expert performing work involving communicating information through visual means for public affairs officer, public affairs activities and medical/scientific/leadership presentations. To qualify for this position you must have experience in the actual type of work for which application is made. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. This includes planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other art work, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means. OR, Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study: commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other fields related to the position. Some positions may also require subject-matter knowledge of medicine, science, or technical equipment. OR, Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis. OR; Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond . (TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications Communications and Media Multimedia Technologies 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: Incumbent will normally perform duties while seated utilizing various computer programs. Assignments involve extended periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping to execute logistics for special events or to accompany media crews or other special groups. Incumbent must be manually dexterous when operating video or photography equipment or when creating, transporting or assembling exhibits. Visual interpretation of color is essential. Incumbent is also required to regularly pick up loads of 15 pounds such as boxes of VA literature and to push carts of supplies. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at pm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. 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: d.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: d.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.