Public Affairs Specialist (Speechwriter)

The Indian Health Service

Rockville (MD)

On-site

USD 144,000 - 187,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The Indian Health Service in Rockville, MD, seeks a Public Affairs Specialist (Speechwriter) to serve as the agency's technical authority on executive speechwriting and messaging.

You will plan, develop, and produce speeches, talking points, and briefing materials for the Director and senior officials, integrating complex policy and stakeholder information into clear communications. This role also involves cross-agency coordination and ensuring alignment with policy and clearance requirements.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Agency-level technical authority for executive speechwriting and message development, advising the Director of Public Affairs and senior IHS leadership on formulations, articulation timing, tone, and public affairs implications of executive communications.
Plans, develops, and produces authoritative speeches, keynote remarks, talking points, statements, message frameworks, briefing materials, and other executive communications for the IHS Director and other senior officials on the full range of IHS programs, policies, services, priorities, and emerging issues.
Integrates complex, sensitive, and sometimes conflicting policy, scientific, clinical, operational, legislative, and stakeholder information into clear and accurate executive communications.
Develops new communication approaches for high-visibility, sensitive, controversial, or unprecedented issues; anticipates likely audience reaction and recommends changes in framing, sequencing, emphasis, and supporting information to advance Agency objectives.
Ensures executive communications are consistent with IHS and HHS policy, cleared positions, public affairs requirements, and the strategic priorities of Agency leadership.
Independently researches and analyzes Agency programs and issues; identifies information gaps, conflicting interpretations, reputational or public-understanding risks, and matters requiring leadership resolution before communications are finalized.
Leads cross-Agency development and clearance of executive remarks, coordinating with senior executives, Area Directors, program directors, subject matter experts, HHS public affairs officials, and other offices as appropriate.
Exercises judgment and discretion in handling predecisional, sensitive, embargoed, or confidential information and determines how such information may be appropriately reflected in public affairs products consistent with applicable policy and clearance requirements.
Reviews and edits high-level PAS products to ensure consistency of Agency voice, message architecture, policy positions, accessibility, and strategic communications objectives across internal and external channels.
Advises senior management on communication considerations associated with proposed or emerging policies, programs, events, and issues.
Evaluates the effectiveness of executive messaging using available audience feedback, stakeholder input, media coverage, engagement data, and lessons learned.
Represents PAS in high-level planning discussions and maintains working relationships with officials and stakeholders.
Provides authoritative technical guidance to public affairs staff and Agency communicators on executive writing, message development, audience analysis, strategic framing, and clearance practices.

Job description

Public Affairs Specialist (Speechwriter)

Department: Department of Health and Human Services

This position is located in the Public Affairs Staff, Office of External Affairs, Office of the Director, Indian Health Service. Reports to IHS Headquarters. The official duty station is at IHS Headquarters, Rockville, MD. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Key Responsibilities

Serves as the Agency-level technical authority for executive speechwriting and message development, advising the Director of Public Affairs and senior IHS leadership on formulations, articulation timing, tone, and public affairs implications of executive communications, Plans, develops, and produces authoritative speeches, keynote remarks, talking points, statements, message frameworks, briefing materials, and other executive communications for the IHS Director and other senior officials on the full range of IHS programs, policies, services, priorities, and emerging issues.

Integrates complex, sensitive, and sometimes conflicting policy, scientific, clinical, operational, legislative, and stakeholder information into clear and accurate executive communications. Develops new communication approaches for high-visibility, sensitive, controversial, or unprecedented issues; anticipates likely audience reaction and recommends changes in framing, sequencing, emphasis, and supporting information to advance Agency objectives.

Ensures executive communications are consistent with IHS and HHS policy, cleared positions, public affairs requirements, and the strategic priorities of Agency leadership. Independently researches and analyzes Agency programs and issues; identifies information gaps, conflicting interpretations, reputational or public-understanding risks, and matters requiring leadership resolution before communications are finalized.

Leads cross-Agency development and clearance of executive remarks, coordinating with senior executives, Area Directors, program directors, subject matter experts, HHS public affairs officials, and other offices as appropriate.

Exercises judgment and discretion in handling predecisional, sensitive, embargoed, or confidential information and determines how such information may be appropriately reflected in public affairs products consistent with applicable policy and clearance requirements.

Reviews and edits high-level PAS products to ensure consistency of Agency voice, message architecture, policy positions, accessibility, and strategic communications objectives across internal and external channels. Advises senior management on communication considerations associated with proposed or emerging policies, programs, events, and issues.

Evaluates the effectiveness of executive messaging using available audience feedback, stakeholder input, media coverage, engagement data, and lessons learned. Represents PAS in high-level planning discussions and maintains working relationships with officials and stakeholders. Provides authoritative technical guidance to public affairs staff and Agency communicators on executive writing, message development, audience analysis, strategic framing, and clearance practices.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $143913 – $187093/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-18.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.