Exciting Career Opportunity: Communications Specialist (GS-13) at the Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a highly skilled strategic communicator to join the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) within the Office of the Secretary. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., this GS-13 Communications Specialist role offers an extraordinary opportunity to shape public messaging, direct outreach initiatives, and advocate for veteran-owned and small businesses across the nation.

Positioned at the intersection of federal contracting and strategic outreach, the incumbent will play a foundational role in building public trust, driving digital audience growth, and ensuring internal and external stakeholders stay informed regarding agency resources. If you are a seasoned public affairs professional adept at crafting multi-channel communication blueprints and managing federal programs, this vacancy presents an excellent career pathway.

About the Agency: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates under an enduring mission: to fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Operating within this vital institution, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) ensures that small, veteran-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses receive fair opportunities to participate in federal procurement and subcontracting opportunities.

Working within OSDBU means joining a mission-driven team dedicated to economic empowerment. As a Communications Specialist, your daily contributions directly elevate small business awareness, facilitate industry training, and ensure federal initiatives are clearly communicated to small business owners, lawmakers, and veteran advocates.

Job Responsibilities

as a GS-13 Communications Specialist, you will spearhead comprehensive outreach strategies designed to elevate OSDBU's mission and engagement. Primary responsibilities include:

Strategic Communications Management: Designing, implementing, and assessing data-backed strategic communication plans aligned with organizational goals.
Digital Content Creation: Authoring dynamic written copy, digital graphics, and multimedia assets across public-facing websites, newsletters, and internal messaging tools.
Web Operations & Section 508 Compliance: Leading projects regarding the architecture, design, and routine maintenance of OSDBU online platforms, guaranteeing absolute compliance with federal accessibility standards.
Executive Support & Writing: Drafting high-profile talking points, executive briefing dossiers, congressional responses, and agency analytical reports.
Event Execution & Outreach: Organizing, hosting, and facilitating high-impact in-person and virtual conferences, educational webinars, and industry workshops.
Vendor & Contract Oversight: Serving as a project program manager over communications-focused contracts, monitoring deliverables, keeping milestones on schedule, and maintaining budgetary parameters.
Data-Driven Evaluation: Conducting rigorous impact evaluations across analytical dashboards and stakeholder survey feedback to continually optimize messaging effectiveness.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

To be considered for this competitive GS-13 vacancy, candidates must demonstrate one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the federal service. Specialized experience must demonstrate:

Conducting comprehensive strategic communications planning and strategy evaluation.
Drafting and finalizing formal executive responses to congressional and stakeholder inquiries.
Managing communications projects or contracts with direct oversight of scope, timeline, and budget.
Planning, hosting, and executing large-scale virtual or in-person public events, outreach campaigns, or webinars.
Enforcing federal communication mandates, including Section 508 web accessibility standards.
Utilizing analytical tools and cost-benefit evaluations to optimize outreach initiatives.

Note: Educational substitutions are not applicable at the GS-13 level for this job series. Qualification is based solely on documented specialized professional experience.

Salary Overview & Position Details

This position offers a competitive salary structure within the General Schedule pay system, backed by comprehensive federal employment protections and potential performance incentives.

Position Summary Table

Attribute	Details
Job Title	Communications Specialist
Pay Grade	GS-13
Salary Range	$121,785 – $158,322 per year
Duty Location	District of Columbia (50-mile commuting radius)
Work Schedule	Full-Time, Monday – Friday (Compressed/Flexible option)
Telework Eligibility	Yes (As determined by agency policy)
Security Clearance	Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Closing Date	October 29, 2026

Benefits & Work-Life Balance

Employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs enjoy a complete compensation package extending well beyond base salary. Key employment benefits include:

Telework Options: Flexible work arrangements designed to support productivity and work-life balance.
Federal Leave Accrual: Earn annual leave at 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on service years. Qualifying non-federal experience may be credited toward leave accrual rates.
Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, offering premier health, dental, and vision coverage.
Retirement Benefits: Enrollment in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) featuring up to 5% agency matching contributions.
Flexible Work Hours: Availability of compressed or flexible work schedules upon management approval.

Essential Application Tips & Resume Formatting Rules

Applying for federal jobs requires precision and compliance. To ensure your package is not disqualified before review, follow these crucial guidelines:

Mandatory 2-Page Resume Limit

In compliance with updated federal Merit Hiring policies, resumes MUST NOT exceed two pages. Any application containing a resume longer than two pages will automatically be declared ineligible.

Set page margins to 0.5 inches.
Use 14-point font for headings and 10-point font for main body text.
Save and upload your document as a standard PDF (portfolio PDFs are strictly prohibited).
Ensure the file size remains under 5MB.

Validating Time-In-Grade (SF-50)

Current and former federal employees must attach an official Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) demonstrating at least 52 weeks at the GS-12 grade level. Ensure your SF-50 clearly states your position, tenure, grade, and duty station. Avoid submitting award-only SF-50s.

Complete the USA Hire Assessments

Upon submitting your online application, you will receive a unique access link to complete the USA Hire Assessments. Set aside at least 3 hours in a quiet environment to finish these tests prior to the closing deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the exact physical work location?
A: The position is physically assigned to Washington, D.C. The local commuting area encompasses a 50-mile driving radius from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420.

Q: Can I submit college transcripts to qualify?
A: No. Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.

Q: Is veterans' preference applicable for this posting?
A: Yes. Eligible veterans should claim preference (5pt or 10pt) on their questionnaire and upload a legible copy of their DD-214 or SF-15 with supporting documentation.

Q: Can I edit my application after submission?
A: You may update eligibility documentation or your resume in USAJOBS up until the closing date of October 29, 2026. However, responses to USA Hire assessments cannot be revised once finalized.

If you are an experienced communications strategist looking to leverage your expertise in support of military veterans and small businesses, this GS-13 Communications Specialist role at the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is an outstanding fit. Ensure your two-page resume aligns directly with the specialized qualifications, gather your official SF-50 documentation, and submit your application package before the announcement closes on October 29, 2026!

Why This Communications Specialist Job Matters

Shape the public voice of veteran business empowerment as a GS-13 Communications Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C.!

Communications Specialist Job Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering a rewarding career opportunity for an experienced public relations and communications professional. Serving within the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) under the Office of the Secretary, the Communications Specialist will design, implement, and analyze comprehensive communication strategies. This GS-13 position plays a pivotal role in promoting OSDBU programs, facilitating stakeholder engagements, managing online communications, and ensuring veteran entrepreneurs and small businesses gain access to federal contracting opportunities.

Requirements for Communications Specialist

Must be a United States Citizen.
Selective Service registration is required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
Must successfully complete a background security investigation and background check.
Completion of a one-year probationary or two-year trial period may be required.
Must provide REAL ID-compliant identification during pre-employment onboarding.
Must meet the Time-In-Grade requirement of 52 weeks at the GS-12 level (or equivalent).
Application resume MUST strictly adhere to the new 2-page maximum length rule.
Must complete all required online USA Hire assessments within the designated timeframe.

Preferred Qualifications for Communications Specialist

Demonstrated experience designing and executing comprehensive, data-driven communications strategies across multiple channels.
Experience managing public-facing federal websites and digital media while maintaining strict Section 508 accessibility compliance.
Proven track record in drafting high-level executive briefing materials, congressional inquiries, and leadership talking points.
Background serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or managing communication contracts, timelines, and budgets.
Hands-on expertise planning, organizing, and executing large-scale virtual and in-person outreach conferences and webinars.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Telework eligible position subject to agency policy.
✓Competitive federal annual leave and sick leave accrual rates.
✓Potential non-federal service credit toward annual leave calculations upon approval.
✓Comprehensive Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Dental/Vision coverage options.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching.
✓Flexible work schedules available at management's discretion.

💡 How to Apply Communications Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Communications Specialist Job

Carefully review the entire job announcement, paying special attention to experience requirements and document checklists.
Prepare a focused resume strictly limited to two pages or less in PDF format (maximum 5MB).
Gather all mandatory supporting documentation, including your most recent SF-50 demonstrating time-in-grade, DD-214 (if applicable), and performance evaluations.
Log into USAJOBS, select your resume and attached documents, and complete the online questionnaire before October 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
After submitting, follow the prompts to complete the required online USA Hire Assessments via your unique link.
Track your application status and assessment completion directly through your USAJOBS profile dashboard.

💡 General Tips

Strictly follow the 2-page resume rule; resumes longer than two pages will automatically render you ineligible under the new Merit Hiring Plan guidelines.
Format your resume with 0.5-inch margins, 14pt headers, and 10pt main text saved as a standard PDF file.
Ensure your SF-50 clearly shows at least one full year (52 weeks) at the GS-12 grade level to verify time-in-grade eligibility.
Align your resume bullet points directly with the specialized experience statements, highlighting Section 508 compliance, event management, and strategic communications.
Set aside at least three quiet hours to take the USA Hire Assessments immediately after submitting your initial application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay scale and grade level for this job?

This position is posted under the General Schedule (GS) grade 13, offering a starting salary range between $121,785 and $158,322 per year.

Is this a remote or telework position?

This is not a 100% remote job. However, telework may be authorized based on agency policy and supervisor approval.

Where is the job located?

The position is based in Washington, D.C., with a local commuting area defined as a 50-mile driving radius from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420.

What happens if my resume exceeds two pages?

Per updated federal merit hiring guidelines effective September 2025, any application containing a resume longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and disqualified.

Are education credentials accepted to qualify for this grade?

No, educational substitution is not permitted for the GS-13 grade level. Applicants must qualify solely based on specialized work experience.

Communications Specialist Job

Office Of The Secretary