Summary The Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator (CEPC) serves as a content matter resource for community-based suicide prevention and facilitates integration of suicide prevention education throughout the community. This position is designated to help lead the implementation of VA's public health approach to Suicide Prevention (SP 2.0) through community-based prevention strategies. You must be within 50 miles of commuting distance from VA San Diego. Responsibilities You must be within 50 miles of commuting distance from VA San Diego. The CEPC is responsible for community capacity development for suicide prevention by serving in a leadership role in communicating with and organizing community partners and coalitions to implement suicide prevention programs aimed at reducing Veteran suicide at the community, state, and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) levels. Seasoned communicator content matter expert for suicide prevention and public health and facilitate integration of suicide prevention education throughout the community by developing and organizing community partners and coalitions aimed at reducing Veteran suicide at the state and Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) level. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Develops and writes communication products that articulate VA's National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to support the development of community coalition. Develops information that ensures public understanding, appreciation and support of Suicide Prevention 2.0 community-based suicide prevention programs. Research communication requirements to determine the nature of the audience and other special considerations to enhance the development of suicide prevention coalition building. Coordinates any emerging issues related to the topic of communication as necessary. Implements VHA Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention including collaborating with community, Veteran, and state partners to develop, conduct, and/or support community-based suicide prevention programs as defined and supported by the VHA Suicide Prevention Program. Oversees outreach to educate community partners, the media, VA and other government stakeholders (including Members of Congress) to enhance the development of suicide prevention coalitions. Identifies the specific needs and interests of each group, determines the strategy for providing information, and tailors the communications to be effective to each group. Monitors feedback and adjusts the communication and education plans accordingly. Uses an interactive approach that: identifies the type of information that is necessary; provides information on a timely basis; and tracks and assesses the response of all parties so that potential problem areas can be identified, avoided, and/or corrected. Develops and coordinates graphics requirements, including databases, tables and spreadsheets to complement communications materials. Develops and implements a comprehensive suicide prevention communications plan to support community coalition development for local suicide prevention efforts. Works with Public Affairs Officers, VHA Communications and external VA partners to plan, develop and disseminate suicide prevention outreach communications to enhance the work of community coalitions. Through proactive communication strategies, promotes partnership development - meet with prospective community partners and/or establish formal relationships between the VHA and local partners to facilitate suicide prevention in the community. Develops and provides suicide prevention related media/marketing, including interviews (print or broadcast), social media postings, and communication campaigns (Paid/PSAs). Serves as a subject matter expert in public health and suicide prevention. Provides leadership for coalition management -- leads alignment of community coalition goals with VA goals, collaborates with non-VA coalition leaders (remote or in person), attends coalition meetings (general) and coalition subcommittee meetings, manages and attends coalition sponsored events/public meetings, conducts and/or supports coalition evaluation activities (survey distribution, data collection, key informant interviews, etc.); and leads other coalition activities defined in a coalition action plan. Develops materials and training programs, in coordination with the SP team members, other facility and VISN stakeholders, and the National OMHSP office/MIRECC for staff and external stakeholders regarding suicide prevention in VHA and the facility. Work Schedule: 8:00am- 4:30pm PST Virtual: This is NOT virtual position. Telework: Available Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 You must be within 50 miles of commuting distance from VA San Diego. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and Experience. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The degree must be in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice); OR, Two years of specialized experience as a first responder (e.g., Police, Medic, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Dispatch, etc.) or in a social science related field that included behavioral health crisis response, and two years of higher education (i.e., above the high school level) from an accredited college or university in a behavioral health or social science related field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, family counseling, mental health counseling, nursing, ministry and criminal justice); OR, Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any field and, one year of specialized experience that included behavioral health crisis response or mental health counseling. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Experience or Education. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level which is directly related to the position; OR, Education. Ph.D. or equivalent in a behavioral health field appropriate to the work of the position (e.g., psychology, social work, sociology, or family counseling). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Ability to provide an evidenced based crisis intervention through a variety of modalities (e.g., telephone interviews, chat/text services, or social media forums). Ability to carry out crisis management steps while withholding judgment on controversial behaviors and not imposing one's values during the contact. Ability to effectively prioritize complex problems quickly and respond appropriately in a crisis situation. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of San Diego resources and/or Suicide Prevention Initiatives. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G64 Social Science Specialist (Crisis Responder) Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary and does not require any special physical effort. Work will require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Employee may carry light items such as papers, books, and portable computer requirement or driving a motor vehicle relative to attendance at meetings. The work often requires long hours to meet project deadlines and to devise corrective action and solutions to unexpected technical and/or management crises resulting in sometimes highly stressful work situations. Education IMPORTANT: 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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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 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.