Public Affairs Officer (PAO) – Contractor Support

ACLC, LLC; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Public sector benefits

Deployment differential

Clearance premium

Job summary

Advanced Computer Learning Company, LLC seeks a Public Affairs Officer to provide professional communications support to USARCENT, planning and evaluating strategic initiatives, managing media operations, and producing multimedia content on USARCENT's mission across USCENTCOM's AOR.

This on-site, full-time role requires a DoD Secret clearance (Top Secret preferred) and may involve deployment to forward areas to support joint exercises and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in public affairs, journalism, or corporate communications.
• Direct experience supporting DoD entities, especially U.S. Army or USCENTCOM, preferred.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.
• Proficiency with AP Stylebook, Adobe CC Suite, and CMS.

Responsibilities

• Develop, synchronize, and execute comprehensive communication plans aligned with USARCENT and USCENTCOM priorities.
• Draft press releases, respond to media queries, prepare spokespersons for interviews, and coordinate media opportunities in the AOR.
• Research, write, and edit news articles, feature stories, captions, and social media content for official channels.
• Assist in real-time crisis communication tracking, develop talking points, monitor news trends.
• Deploy to USCENTCOM AOR as needed to provide direct public affairs support for exercises and operations.

Skills

Public Affairs

Media Relations

Content Creation

Crisis Communication

DoD Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations/Journalism/Communications

Tools

AP Stylebook

Adobe Creative Cloud

CMS

Job description

ACLC, LLC is seeking a highly qualified Public Affairs Officer to provide professional, comprehensive communications support to the U.S. Army Central (USARCENT) Public Affairs Office. The successful candidate will plan, execute, and evaluate strategic communication initiatives, manage media operations, and produce multimedia content to inform domestic and international audiences about USARCENT's mission in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR).

This is a full-time, on-site position, which requires a SECRET clearance. (Top Secret preferred)

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Strategic Communication: Develop, synchronize, and execute comprehensive communication plans aligned with USARCENT and USCENTCOM command priorities.
• Media Relations: Draft press releases, respond to media queries, prepare spokespersons for interviews, and facilitate media embedded opportunities within the AOR.
• Content Creation: Research, write, and edit news articles, feature stories, photo captions, and social media content for distribution across official military channels (DVIDS, web, and social media platforms).
• Crisis Communication: Assist in managing real-time crisis communication tracking, developing talking points, and monitoring regional and international news trends.
• Operational Support: Deploy forward into the USCENTCOM AOR as required to provide direct public affairs support for joint exercises and operations.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of public affairs, journalism, or corporate communications experience. Direct experience supporting DoD entities, specifically U.S. Army or USCENTCOM, is highly preferred.
• Military Knowledge: Deep understanding of military structure, Defense Information School (DINFOS) training principles, and visual information documentation standards.
• Clearance: Active DoD Secret security clearance is required at the time of application.
• Skills: Proficient in the AP Stylebook, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign), and standard content management systems (CMS).

Benefits & Compensation

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance packages with company contribution. Short-term and long-term disability, alongside company-paid life insurance.
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) retirement plan with an immediate company match of up to 4% (100% vested from day one).
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 10 days of accrued PTO annually, plus 11 paid Federal Holidays.
• Deployment Differentials: Separate post-differential or hazard pay incentives apply during designated forward-deployment periods within the USCENTCOM AOR.
• Clearance Premium: Candidates holding an active Top Secret (TS/SCI) clearance may qualify for the upper tier of the listed salary band.

Advanced Computer Learning Company, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary: $70000 - $92000 per year