Public Affairs Exercise Planner

SAIC; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC seeks a Public Affairs Exercise Planner to support USPACOM exercises at Camp Smith, Hawaii, coordinating with diverse stakeholders to deliver effective communication strategies that align with exercise objectives.

You will draft PAGs and talking points, plan media events, and provide strategic messaging guidance to ensure readiness and impact during joint and multinational exercises, with on-site work required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 10+ years in public affairs or related field.
• Experience drafting Public Affairs Guidance (PAG) and communication plans.
• Familiarity with Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) and exercise planning methodologies.
• Willingness to travel across the USINDOPACOM AOR and work in multinational environments.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) to integrate PA objectives into exercise scenarios.
• Draft PAGs, talking points, and OPORD annex contributions while identifying PA risks.
• Support joint and combined exercises across USPACOM AOR and coordinate with CJIBs and CPXs.

Skills

Public affairs planning

Media relations

Strategic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Job ID 2616951

Location

Camp Smith, HI, US

Date Posted

2026-09-17

Category

Defense/Intel

Subcategory

Military Operations

Schedule

Full-Time

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes - 25% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain

TS/SCI

Potential for Remote Work

ORA_ON_SITE

Description

SAIC is seeking a Public Affairs Exercise Planner located at Camp Smith in Hawaii to support the U.S. Pacific Command's (USPACOM) efforts to plan and execute major joint and combined exercises and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to deliver effective communication strategies that enhance regional partnerships and achieve exercise objectives.

Job Description

• Participate in the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) to integrate public affairs (PA) objectives into exercise scenarios. Draft Public Affairs Guidance (PAG), talking points, and contributions to OPORD annexes while identifying and mitigating public affairs risks.
• Support joint and combined exercises throughout the USPACOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• Provide real-world public affairs advice and training to Combined Joint Information Bureaus (CJIBs), Command Post Exercises (CPXs), plan media engagements, and prepare messaging in line with strategic command objectives.
• Develop and implement public affairs communication plans that align with PAG and strategic objectives. Plan media events for top level military leadership within exercise events.
• Build strong working relationships with media outlets, manage pitches, coordinate media access, plan interviews, and guide leadership on media engagement best practices.
• Strategic Messaging & EngagementCoordinate consistent messaging with exercise stakeholders, including partner nation representatives and interagency partners, to ensure strategic alignment and effective communication.
• Conduct after-action reviews (AARs) to assess public affairs performance during exercises and contribute to refining strategies for future operations.
• Create and review communication products, such as press releases, imagery, or social media content, ensuring strategic alignment and readiness for public release.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors and ten (10)+ years of related experience; additional four (4) years of experience accepted in lieu of degree.
• Experience in public affairs, media relations, or strategic communication, with a proven ability to draft PAGs and craft communication plans.
• Familiarity with the Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC), joint planning processes, and exercise planning methodologies.
• Experience developing and delivering strategic communication products that align with organizational objectives and international policy.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout the USINDOPACOM AOR, and experience working in multinational and interagency environments.

Preferred Skillset

• Combatant Command, sub-unified command, or joint level Public Affairs Planning Experience

Required Clearance

• Must have an active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a Top Secret / SCI clearance.
• Must be a current US Citizen.

Target salary range $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.