Senior Communications Specialist

West 4th Strategy•Portsmouth, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We need an experienced Senior Communications Specialist at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) in Portsmouth, Virginia. NMCPHC amplifies warfighter lethality by delivering cutting-edge preventive medicine and public health services to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint forces globally, serving as the Navy and Marine Corps' public health authority for force health protection strategy and mission readiness. In this role, you will plan, develop, and execute a broad communications mandate across the NMCFHPC enterprise, producing everything from the annual Strategic Communication Plan to press releases, technical reports, and social media campaigns, while translating complex scientific and medical subject matter into compelling narratives for internal and external audiences. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, communications, public relations, health communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Five (5) years of proven experience in public relations, public affairs, or corporate communications with strong working knowledge of a variety of PR/PA programs
Proven experience running public relations or public affairs campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives
Proven experience understanding organizational structure and higher authority's strategic vision and priorities
Comprehensive grasp of health communication strategies
Comprehensive competence in social media strategy and content development
Experience in scientific and medical technical writing
Experience in copywriting and editing per AP Style Guide
Intermediate competence in photography
Intermediate competence in graphic design
Intermediate competence in knowledge management, information management systems, and process development
Intermediate competence in web design
Proficiency in media and social media monitoring and analysis
Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms
Experience working with media
U.S. Citizenship required
Active secret clearance required

Nice To Haves

APR (Accredited in Public Relations) certification
Proven experience in public health communications for a large public health system, preferably a large military public health system or command
Familiarity with the American Forces Public Information Management System (AFPIMS)
Extensive experience with strategic communication campaign development and execution
Demonstrated proficiency with scientific and medical technical writing
Extensive experience in website and social media strategy and content development

Responsibilities

Develop the annual NMCFHPC enterprise-wide Strategic Communication Plan aligned with Navy Medicine and NMFL strategic communication plans and command priorities
Develop an enterprise-wide outreach and engagement plan
Develop communication products including press releases, speeches, fact sheets, feature articles, pamphlets, newsletters, magazines, technical reports, website content, and social media posts in adherence with the AP Style Guide and Navy, Navy Medicine, and command public affairs and branding guidelines
Coordinate with command technical experts and leaders to ensure all communication products accurately reflect the scientific and medical technical aspects of subject matter while aligning with strategic communication priorities
Ensure effective dissemination of communication products across multiple platforms including the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), approved social media platforms, the command intranet, and public-facing websites
Develop and evaluate strategic communication campaigns under the guidance of the NMCFHPC DMO and PAO, including coordination, approval, scheduling, management, and evaluation of those campaigns
Conduct a formal assessment of key customers and target audiences across NMCFHPC Directorates and Field Activities; compile and maintain an audience and customer contact database; update assessments and databases annually
Conduct an information needs assessment of the enterprise's key customers and audiences and develop a list of information products that would enhance the enterprise's service to those customers and their awareness of enterprise capabilities
Develop assigned stories by researching, interviewing internal and external sources, and translating complex technical, scientific, medical, and military subject matter into compelling narratives aligned with strategic communication priorities
Produce photographs and graphics that effectively communicate the Navy and NMCFHPC enterprise story to internal and external audiences
Assist with preparation, organization, and maintenance of program-related instructional, written, and oral briefing materials incorporating Government-directed updates and documenting feedback using Government-provided formats