Public Affairs Officer

Amentum•El Paso, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum is seeking an experienced Public Affairs Officer with proven congressional liaison expertise to serve as the primary representative supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Camp East Montana (CEM), Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. This role directly supports the government with media relations and internal/external communications while facilitating effective communications and information exchange between the program team, DHS/ICE leadership, and U.S. Government stakeholders. The incumbent ensures mutual understanding, unity of purpose, and successful performance of programs and operations at the facility in a high-visibility, sensitive environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Political Science, Government Affairs, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in public affairs, media relations, strategic communications, or legislative affairs, preferably in a federal government or federal contracted work environment.
At least 4 years of direct congressional liaison or Capitol Hill experience, including drafting responses to Congressional inquiries, preparing briefings, and engaging with congressional staff.
Demonstrated ability to work in high-scrutiny, sensitive environments such as law enforcement, homeland security, or immigration/detention operations.
Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, concise messaging for varied audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships with senior government officials, media representatives, and congressional stakeholders.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Secret (or higher) security clearance and pass all required background investigations for unescorted access to ICE facilities.

Nice To Haves

Prior direct experience supporting DHS, ICE, or other federal law enforcement/homeland security programs.
Familiarity with federal contracting, detention operations, or immigration enforcement communications.
Crisis communications or issues-management experience
Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish)
Active Secret or Top Secret Clearance

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead for public affairs activities at CEM, coordinating closely with Amentum Corporate communications, and ICE Office of Public Affairs, to support government media relations, including drafting responses to media inquiries, drafting press releases, talking points, fact sheets and briefing materials.
Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive internal and external communication strategies, plans, and products to keep stakeholders informed and aligned.
Act as support for congressional liaison: monitor legislative developments, prepare and coordinate responses to Congressional inquiries, support briefings, hearings, and site visits, and build/maintain productive relationships with DHS/ICE congressional liaison representatives and lobbyists, if applicable.
Facilitate timely, accurate, and secure two-way information exchange between the program/contractor team and DHS/ICE components to promote mutual understanding, resolve issues proactively, and ensure program success.
Monitor traditional, social, and news media coverage related to CEM, ICE operations, and immigration enforcement; provide analysis and strategic recommendations to program leadership and government partners.
Support crisis communications planning, rapid response, and issues management in coordination with DHS/ICE.
Ensure all communications comply with DHS/ICE policies, federal regulations (including FOIA and Privacy Act), security protocols, classification guidelines, and public disclosure requirements.
Prepare high-quality written and oral products (briefings, reports, newsletters, speeches, etc) for diverse audiences including senior government officials, Congress, media, and internal staff.
Maintain details records of communications activities and provide regular status reports to contractor and government leadership.
Amentum enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams.
Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Amentum Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Amentum Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities.
Each employee must read, understand, and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to job.