Visual Information Specialist

Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Duties

• This Visual Information Specialist position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. The position will work within the Medical Media department and report directly to the Supervisory Communications Specialist. The primary purpose of this position is to manage and design content for the Medical Center's intranet sites. The secondary purpose is to serve as a Visual Information Specialist producing designs, productions, and displays of a variety of visual materials for websites, publications, exhibits, presentations, web-based email subscription management system. DUTIES: Provide oversight and management of the Medical Center's intranet site. Ensure compliance with intranet content policies and will ensure published information is valid and current. This will be accomplished by evaluating and implementing current and new technologies to best serve our customers. Work collectively with the Supervisory Communications Specialist, Public Affairs Officer, and other Medical Center Division Managers and Program Managers on publishing intranet content, graphics, videos, and photos. Responsible for working with web sponsors to manage web content, style, and quality. Responsible for providing support to various Medical Center program areas on special intranet-related and electronic communication projects. Meets with clients to learn project objectives, points of emphasis and importance of all elements. Applies knowledge and experience of visual arts methods and techniques to translate subject matter into visual designs. Determines size, color, use of graphics or photographs, typography and other elements to be incorporated and how it will be reproduced. Works on multiple projects simultaneously and copes with high degrees of stress as workload dictates. Responsible for managing and performing intranet web content, writing and organizing web pages, developing a vision for we expansion, planning and developing intranet training and construction of new intranet sites, developing new web functionality and projects. Works with the various means of web based communication programs which requires knowledge of technical characteristics and requirements. Serves as a software expert for all graphics programs utilized in the Medical Media program. Develops original designs, concepts or visual styles for publication, web, exhibits or presentation materials that present to the public ideas or images desired by the Medical Center. Prepares displays, brochures, posters, historic museum-quality displays, newsletters, flyers, forms, mailers and other printed pieces as requested. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance 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 full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: This position is not authorized for telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Visual Information Specialist/PD230900 and PD253150 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, 09/16/2026. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9 level. 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-9 Level Experience 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. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. Examples of unpaid experience may include: planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other artwork, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means. Qualifying specialized experience includes Knowledge of a variety of methods, techniques, and materials used in the design, production, and reproduction of visual products sufficient to judge reproduction quality and aesthetically composed visual products. Basic knowledge of medicine, science, or a related field peculiar to medical facility organization functions. Working with a variety of art media such as commercial or graphic art techniques. NOTE: 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. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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. 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. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. Such education must have had a Major study in commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other fields related to the position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. GS-11 Level Experience Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. Examples of unpaid experience may include: planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other artwork, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means. Qualifying specialized experience includes: developing original designs, concepts or visual styles for publication, web, exhibits and/or presentation materials. Knowledge and mastery of the principles, practices, methods and techniques associated with the development and production of original graphics, photography and audiovisual programs. Materials and equipment used in the design, production, and reproduction of visual products sufficient to judge reproduction quality and aesthetically composed visual products. Using computer graphic imaging, digital photography, and interactive-video disc. Advising on and developing the best method of preparing briefings, conferences, hearings, and seminars. Knowledge of the technical characteristics of reproduction processes to judge the reproduction qualify of illustrations, maintain familiarity with the mechanics of cropping and scaling photos and illustrations, and maintain familiarity with the process of how art and copy are prepared for the printer. Working with a variety of art media such as commercial or graphic art techniques. Transform complex spoken or written descriptions of items, processes, issues or events into visual representations. NOTE: 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. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed 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 that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. 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. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. Such education must have had a Major study in commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other fields related to the position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. 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/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may/will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: http://ope.ed.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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13061615. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 09/16/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit