Public Affairs Specialist

Mpa Inc; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MPA Inc. seeks a Public Affairs Specialist to lead media relations, public engagement, and information activities that advance the missions of federal government clients. You will translate agency priorities into audience-appropriate information for news media, internal audiences, and the public.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in communications and 8+ years of public affairs or media relations experience, with strong writing, crisis management, and clearance-compliant messaging skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, journalism, or related field required.
• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, media relations, or communications.
• Experience translating complex policy content into audience-appropriate messaging.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations, public engagement, and information activities for federal government clients.
• Draft and edit press materials, talking points, speeches, and background documents.
• Serve as media contact and build relationships with reporters and editors.
• Develop messaging frameworks and ensure consistency across spokespeople.

Skills

Public affairs

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis communication

Project management

Mentoring

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, journalism, public relations, or related field

Job description

About the role

MPA is seeking a Public Affairs Specialist to lead media relations, public engagement, and information activities that advance the missions of federal government clients. You will support senior leaders to translate agency policy and priorities into accurate, audience-appropriate information for the news media, internal audiences, and the public. You will also support rapid-response communications activities such as speechwriting and talking-point development, in coordination with senior leadership teams. In addition, you will work with public affairs officers and subject matter experts to protect and advance the client’s public image, ensure message accuracy and consistency across every platform, and deliver information that meets federal review, clearance, and security requirements.

The responsibilities of this position include:

• Create public affairs and strategic communications plans that align messaging with organizational and policy objectives
• Draft and edit press releases and other external communications materials tailored to diverse audiences
• Serve as a point of contact for media inquiries, building and maintaining relationships with reporters, writers, producers, and editors, and drafting responses, statements, and background materials on behalf of client leadership
• Develop and edit public affairs materials, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches, briefing papers, fact sheets, question-and-answer documents, and web and social content, all of which translate complex information into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate messaging
• Support crisis and issues communication activities, drafting holding statements and coordinating approved messaging across leadership and spokespeople
• Plan and support public affairs logistics for high-visibility events, congressional visits, press conferences, and media availabilities
• Draft and maintain messaging frameworks, with key messages and approved-language repositories, ensuring consistency and accuracy across spokespeople and all communications materials
• Guide materials through client and internal review and clearance processes, ensuring compliance with federal plain language, Section 508 accessibility, brand, and public affairs policies and procedures
• Build and maintain relationships with subject matter experts, agency leadership, partner organizations, community stakeholders, and media contacts to extend brand reach and credibility
• Support internal communications and workforce engagement programs, keeping stakeholders informed of agency initiatives
• Coordinate the production and distribution of materials across digital, print, broadcast, and experiential channels, working with designers, vendors, and media partners
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines, collaborate in a team setting, and adapt to a fast-paced environment
• Mentor and guide junior communications and public affairs staff, contributing to a collaborative, high-performing team culture
• Monitor emerging trends and best practices in public affairs, media relations, digital media, and artificial intelligence-enabled tools to keep content and engagement approaches current and effective

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public affairs, journalism, public relations, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in public affairs, media relations, or communications, including proactive and reactive media engagement
• Strong public relations and media relations skills, including experience pitching stories, handling media inquiries, and building relationships with press and influencers
• Demonstrated experience translating complex content into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate content for audiences
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills across a range of formats, including speeches, talking points, and press materials
• Experience managing media relationships and responding to media inquiries under time-sensitive or high-visibility conditions
• Working knowledge of crisis and issues communication, rapid-response protocols, and command or public information principles
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and collaboration skills, with experience mentoring or guiding junior staff
• Experience working in or with government agencies, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations is highly beneficial
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. federal government security clearance