Position Summary
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) requires one (1) Public Relations Specialist to support strategic communications, media relations, and public affairs initiatives. The Public Relations Specialist will plan and execute communication projects, develop messaging for internal and external audiences, coordinate with stakeholders, and evaluate communication activities in support of WRNMMC, Military Health System (MHS), and Defense Health Agency (DHA) objectives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Project Management, or related field.
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, public relations, project management, or a related field.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated experience developing communication plans, messaging, speeches, briefings, and public affairs products.
- Experience with media relations, digital communications, social media, and stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in healthcare, military/public affairs, government, or a similar regulated environment is preferred.
- Proficiency with project management and digital communication tools.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute strategic communication, public affairs, and community relations plans supporting organizational priorities and measurable communication objectives.
- Develop press releases, talking points, speeches, briefings, newsletters, web content, social media content, and other communication products.
- Coordinate media inquiries, interviews, media visits, press conferences, briefings, and other media engagement activities.
- Develop consistent messaging for internal and external audiences in coordination with Public Affairs leadership and subject matter experts.
- Support crisis and emergency communications planning, including time-sensitive responses to emerging issues and media activity.
- Manage communication projects, schedules, deliverables, stakeholder coordination, reviews, and approvals.
- Coordinate with WRNMMC, MTF, NCR, DHA, MHS, and other communication partners to align and disseminate communication products and key messages.
- Maintain and update website, intranet, and social media content in accordance with established communication and approval requirements.
- Monitor and assess media coverage, audience response, and communication activities; prepare reports and recommend improvements.
- Support development of story ideas, interviews, feature content, and other public affairs products in accordance with AP Style and established standards.
- Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, media representatives, healthcare organizations, military and veterans organizations, federal agencies, and community partners.
- Advise leadership on communication strategies, stakeholder concerns, emerging public affairs issues, and opportunities to strengthen awareness and understanding of organizational programs and initiatives.
- Submit communication products to designated Public Affairs leadership for review and approval prior to public release.
- Meet established daily, weekly, and ad hoc deadlines in support of mission requirements.
Salary commensurate with qualifications.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Bethesda, MD 20889 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Bethesda, MD 20889: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
