Public Relations Specialist

Tjfact Llc; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to support public affairs, media relations, and digital communications for MHS and DHA initiatives. The role requires strategic storytelling, crisis communications readiness, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders to deliver timely, accurate messaging.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in public affairs, strong AP Style writing, and project management experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, or related functions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with audience-appropriate messaging.
• Experience developing and executing communications plans and public affairs initiatives.
• Strong media relations and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and evaluate strategic communications and public affairs plans for WRNMMC.
• Write and edit press materials, talking points, newsletters, and web content.
• Coordinate media relations, interviews, media visits, and inquiries.
• Support leadership with crisis communications and executive messaging.
• Collaborate across DHA, NCR, and MTF teams to ensure consistent messaging.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

AP Style

Digital communications

Project management

Strategic communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Tools

AP Style guide

Social media platforms

Public affairs tools

Job description

DHA - Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, MD 20889, USA

Description

Public Relations Specialist

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)

Bethesda, MD | Onsite | Full-Time

Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000

About Us

Totally Joined for Achieving Collaborative Techniques (TJFACT) is a minority-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) delivering mission-focused professional services and technology solutions to the U.S. Government. Our teams support critical federal missions through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence while building lasting partnerships with our customers, employees, and industry partners.

About this Position

TJFACT is seeking an experienced Public Relations Specialist to support Public Affairs operations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, MD. This position will support the development, execution, and evaluation of strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, community engagement, and digital communications initiatives supporting Walter Reed and the broader Military Health System (MHS) and Defense Health Agency (DHA) mission.

The ideal candidate will bring strong public affairs and project management experience with the ability to develop compelling communications, manage high-visibility initiatives, advise leadership, coordinate across multiple stakeholder organizations, and deliver accurate and timely communications to diverse internal and external audiences.

Please note: This position is being recruited in support of a proposal effort. Any offer of employment is contingent upon contract award and successful completion of all pre-employment requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and evaluate strategic communications and public affairs plans supporting Walter Reed, MHS, DHA, and Military Treatment Facility (MTF) priorities.
• Develop messaging, communications plans, community relations initiatives, and supporting products for internal and external audiences, with an emphasis on measurable results.
• Write, rewrite, and edit press releases, news and feature articles, talking points, newsletters, speeches, briefings, web content, social media content, and other communications products in accordance with AP Style.
• Develop news angles and balanced, multi-source articles through research and interviews with military and civilian staff, patients, visitors, and subject matter experts.
• Coordinate media relations activities, including responding to media inquiries, scheduling and moderating interviews, arranging media visits, and maintaining relationships with media organizations.
• Support leadership with strategic counsel, executive messaging, crisis communications planning, and time-sensitive responses to emerging issues and unfavorable media incidents.
• Coordinate with DHA Public Affairs, DHA Headquarters strategic communications teams, NCR stakeholders, MTF communications teams, and other Public Affairs offices to ensure consistent messaging and dissemination of critical information.
• Develop and coordinate communications plans with subject matter experts and stakeholders to communicate MHS/DHA programs, policies, services, initiatives, and priorities.
• Support internal and external websites and social media platforms, including developing, reviewing, coordinating, and updating digital content.
• Review locally produced communications products to ensure consistency with Walter Reed, MHS, and DHA messaging and communications objectives.
• Monitor and assess media coverage, public perception, communications activities, and campaign effectiveness; recommend strategies to strengthen public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
• Plan and support press conferences, media briefings, community relations initiatives, distinguished visitor engagements, and other public affairs activities.
• Participate in strategic communications, access-to-care, emergency management, DHA, NCR, and other communications meetings as required.
• Compile recurring external communications reports and submit communications products through appropriate Public Affairs review and approval processes prior to release.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with military and medical organizations, Veterans Service Organizations, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, media representatives, and other external stakeholders.
• Manage multiple communications projects, competing priorities, recurring deadlines, and ad hoc requirements in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field.
• Five (5) + years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, project management, or a combination of related functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques, including selecting appropriate communication tools for varied audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging.
• Demonstrated experience developing written, oral, digital, and social media communications products.
• Strong knowledge of AP Style and professional news and feature-writing practices.
• Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, stakeholders, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Experience developing and executing communications plans, public affairs initiatives, or community relations programs.
• Strong media relations and stakeholder engagement skills, including conducting interviews and coordinating with internal and external organizations.
• Proficiency with project management tools and digital communication platforms.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, time management, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting healthcare, military, federal government, or other high-visibility public-sector communications.
• Familiarity with the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Military Health System (MHS), Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), or military public affairs environments.
• Experience supporting crisis communications and high-visibility or time-sensitive media issues.
• Experience developing executive-level speeches, briefings, talking points, and strategic messaging.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $115,000 - $125,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, contractual requirements, and other job-related factors.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

TJFACT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We reserve the right to modify or revise job descriptions, in whole or in part. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better.

Experience

Required

Demonstrated experience developing written, oral, digital, and social media communications products.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-appropriate messaging.

Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques, including selecting appropriate communication tools for varied audiences.

5 years:

Experience in public affairs, strategic communications, project management, or a combination of related functions

Preferred

Experience supporting healthcare, military, federal government, or other high-visibility public-sector communications

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.