Public Relations Specialist

TJFACT LLC - Totally Joined for Achieving Collaborative Techniques•Bethesda, MD

3d•$115,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

TJFACT is seeking an experienced Public Relations Specialist to support Public Affairs operations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland. The position supports the development, execution, and evaluation of strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, community engagement, and digital communications initiatives in support of Walter Reed and the broader Military Health System (MHS) and Defense Health Agency (DHA) mission. The specialist develops compelling communications, manages high-visibility initiatives, advises leadership, coordinates across stakeholder organizations, and delivers accurate and timely communications to diverse internal and external audiences. The role is recruited in support of a proposal effort; any offer of employment is contingent upon contract award and successful completion of all pre-employment requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field.
Five or more years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, project management, or a combination of related functions.
Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques, including selecting appropriate communication tools for varied audiences.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging.
Demonstrated experience developing written, oral, digital, and social media communications products.
Strong knowledge of AP Style and professional news and feature-writing practices.
Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, stakeholders, and competing priorities simultaneously.
Experience developing and executing communications plans, public affairs initiatives, or community relations programs.
Strong media relations and stakeholder engagement skills, including conducting interviews and coordinating with internal and external organizations.
Proficiency with project management tools and digital communication platforms.
Strong organizational, prioritization, time-management, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting healthcare, military, federal government, or other high-visibility public-sector communications.
Familiarity with the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Military Health System (MHS), Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), or military public affairs environments.
Experience supporting crisis communications and high-visibility or time-sensitive media issues.
Experience developing executive-level speeches, briefings, talking points, and strategic messaging.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Responsibilities

Develop, execute, and evaluate strategic communications and public affairs plans supporting Walter Reed, MHS, DHA, and Military Treatment Facility priorities.
Develop messaging, communications plans, community relations initiatives, and supporting products for internal and external audiences, emphasizing measurable results.
Write, rewrite, and edit press releases, news and feature articles, talking points, newsletters, speeches, briefings, web content, social media content, and other communications products in accordance with AP Style.
Develop news angles and balanced, multi-source articles through research and interviews with military and civilian staff, patients, visitors, and subject matter experts.
Coordinate media relations, including responding to inquiries, scheduling and moderating interviews, arranging media visits, and maintaining relationships with media organizations.
Advise leadership on strategic communications, executive messaging, crisis communications planning, and time-sensitive responses to emerging issues and unfavorable media incidents.
Coordinate with DHA Public Affairs, DHA Headquarters strategic communications teams, NCR stakeholders, MTF communications teams, and other Public Affairs offices to ensure consistent messaging and dissemination of critical information.
Develop and coordinate communications plans with subject matter experts and stakeholders to communicate MHS/DHA programs, policies, services, initiatives, and priorities.
Support internal and external websites and social media platforms by developing, reviewing, coordinating, and updating digital content.
Review locally produced communications products for consistency with Walter Reed, MHS, and DHA messaging and communications objectives.
Monitor and assess media coverage, public perception, communications activities, and campaign effectiveness, and recommend strategies to strengthen public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
Plan and support press conferences, media briefings, community relations initiatives, distinguished visitor engagements, and other public affairs activities.
Participate in strategic communications, access-to-care, emergency management, DHA, NCR, and other communications meetings as required.
Compile recurring external communications reports and submit communications products through applicable Public Affairs review and approval processes before release.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with military and medical organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, media representatives, and other external stakeholders.
Manage multiple communications projects, competing priorities, recurring deadlines, and ad hoc requirements in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.