Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Assistant

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Onsite – no exceptions

Insignia Federal Group is currently seeking an experienced Public Affairs Assistant to provide communications support services to a military research program, specifically the Public Affairs Office (PAO). The ideal candidate will have a strong writing background with a demonstrated ability to communicate organizational priorities, objectives, and messaging across various platforms and to stakeholder audiences.

In this role, the successful candidate will:

· Interact with news media representatives and members of the public on routine matters (does not act as spokesperson for the command), specifically: editing monthly newsletters to include all day-to-day aspects with attention to detail related to content, layout, photography, graphic design, final preparations for distribution etc. to meet established deadlines.

· Maintain a routine review calendar (every six months) of the content on the program’s public web site and work with various departments and the web master to update content and assist the command web master to post.

· Maintain the program’s Facebook page and provide social media content for the PAO

· Coordinate projects between the PAO and Medical Audio-Visual Services (MAVS), based on familiarity with the MAVS database for requesting and tracking work orders (i.e., graphic, photographic, posters, etc.)

· Provide internal photography support as needed that includes: (1) maintaining retrievable library of digital photos (with cutlines) of all publicly releasable program photos; (2) maintaining program building display cases; and (3) working closely with PAO and MAVS to produce graphics, posters, etc. for the display cases.

· Other tasks as assigned, to include: (1) planning, organizing, and documenting special events; and (2) exploring potential social media platforms to promote the program

Required Qualifications:

· Ability to successfully undergo a background investigation that requires U.S. citizenship.

· Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in any field of study with public relations/public affairs experience or course work.

· Knowledge of developing marketing packages, inclusive of newsletters, media kits, brochures, trade show displays, and other information products.

· Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team leader.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint software.

· Knowledge of general office machines and telephone system.

· Ability to interact with news media representatives and members of the public on routine matters (does not act as spokesperson for the command).

· Knowledge in editing monthly newsletters to include all day-to-day aspects with attention to detail

related to content, layout, final preparations for distribution etc. to meet established deadlines.

· Demonstrated skills in interviewing a variety of people and gathering information from different sources for newsletter articles and other public affairs information products.

· Demonstrated skills in evaluating the news value or communication potential of visual materials including photographs and illustration.

· Familiarity with the AP Stylebook

· Familiarity with Social Media, (i.e., Facebook, blogs, Instagram, X, etc.).

· Familiarity with working with databases for requesting and tracking work orders (i.e. graphic, photographic, kiosk, etc.).

· Ability to maintain easily retrievable digital photo (with cutlines) library of all publicly releasable photos.

· Ability to assist with planning and organizing special events.

· Typing skills with at least 50 WPM.

Desired:

· Interest, knowledge, or background in the military and/or medical research field is a plus.

· Previous federal background investigation or clearance highly desirable

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 4 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Silver Spring, MD (Required)

Work Location: In person