Public Relations Specialist

Fidelity Partners•Bethesda, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Relations Specialist will lead strategic communications and high-impact public affairs projects for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The role develops coordinated messaging, communications plans, media relations, crisis communications, digital content, events, community engagement, and performance analysis for diverse internal and external audiences. This is one full-time, on-site position at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, supporting the Defense Health Agency. The position is contingent upon contract award. The base period is December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027, with two potential one-year option periods through November 30, 2029. Estimated total compensation is $50.15 per hour. Work is generally Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays and Government-directed facility closures; occasional support outside normal duty hours may be required for contingency activations or exercises. All work is unclassified. Employment requires a favorable Tier II non-critical sensitive background investigation, the applicable SF-85 or SF-86 process, Common Access Card eligibility, identity verification, a nondisclosure agreement, security and HIPAA training, network-access approval, and DHA and facility onboarding requirements. The role also requires compliance with WRNMMC and DHA policies, protection of HIPAA-regulated information, PHI, PII, and other sensitive information, and completion of Government-directed training. Duties and responsibilities may change in response to Government or program needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field.
At least five years of experience in public affairs, project management, or a combination of both areas.
Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects, deadlines, stakeholders, and ad hoc suspense requirements in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with project-management and digital-communication tools and understanding of strategic communication methods, media relations, and social-media practices.
Strong relationship-building, interviewing, prioritization, time-management, analytical, and consensus-building skills.
Satisfy Tier II background, CAC, training, NDA, network-access, onboarding, and facility-access requirements.
Provide a current resume documenting at least five years of qualifying public affairs, communications, or project-management experience and documentation of the required bachelor's degree.
Provide requested background, identification, security, HIPAA, training, NDA, CAC, network-access, or onboarding documents.

Nice To Haves

Experience with healthcare systems, military communications, federal public affairs, or another regulated, high-visibility environment is highly preferred.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred but not required.
Representative writing, communications-planning, or public affairs work samples, if requested.
Copy of current PMP certification, if applicable.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute public affairs and strategic-communication plans that advance Walter Reed, DHA, Military Health System, and command priorities.
Write and edit press releases, talking points, newsletters, speeches, briefings, articles, web content, social-media posts, and supporting communications materials.
Coordinate media relations by responding to inquiries, arranging and moderating interviews, supporting media visits, and maintaining professional relationships with media outlets.
Develop consistent messaging for internal and external stakeholders and advise leadership on communications for major issues and sensitive matters.
Plan and support press conferences, media briefings, distinguished-visitor activities, community engagement events, and other public affairs activities.
Provide crisis-communications planning and time-sensitive support for issues that may attract national media, senior leadership, or congressional interest.
Monitor and assess media coverage, public perceptions, campaign performance, and stakeholder response; recommend effective communication approaches.
Maintain and update authorized websites, intranet content, and social-media channels, and coordinate content with DHA, network, and military treatment facility communications teams.
Compile weekly communications reports, issue logs, trackers, metrics, and analyses, and submit products for Public Affairs Office review before release.
Build cooperative relationships with subject matter experts, media outlets, medical organizations, military and veterans service organizations, federal partners, nongovernmental organizations, and community stakeholders.
Protect HIPAA-regulated information, PHI, PII, and other sensitive information while meeting daily, weekly, and ad hoc deadlines.
Complete required orientation, annual training, security awareness, HIPAA training, and other Government-directed training; comply with WRNMMC and DHA policies and procedures.