Public Relations Specialist

Nalu Federal is a subsidiary company of the Kanaka Foundation - an NHO whose mission is to support Native Hawaiians.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Pet insurance
• Annual membership to Costco or Sam’s Club
• 401K
• Additional comprehensive benefits

Responsibilities

• Supports the Walter Reed Public Affairs office.
• Develops and executes public affairs strategies to promote Walter Reed's mission, services, and initiatives.
• Writes and edits press releases, talking points, newsletters, and other communication materials.
• Coordinates media relations, including responding to inquiries, arranging interviews, and maintaining relationships with media outlets.
• Crafts messaging for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring consistency with organizational goals.
• Monitors media coverage and provides analysis on the effectiveness of public affairs campaigns.
• Plans and executes events, such as press conferences, media briefings, and community engagement activities.
• Supports leadership with crisis communication strategies and plans.
• Updates internal website and social media sites; participates in strategic, access to care, and emergency management communications meetings.
• Compiles weekly external communication reports and submits products to the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) for review prior to posting.
• Updates content on external webpages and social media.
• Assists with National Capital Region (NCR) PAO meetings and attends Defense Health Agency (DHA) & NCR meetings.
• Generates editorial ideas for articles and refines them with the lead PAO.
• Meets daily and weekly deadlines, including ad-hoc suspense to support the mission.
• Develops news angles and balanced articles from multiple sources, including interviews with staff, patients, and visitors.
• Schedules interviews with subject-matter experts, coordinating with other PAO offices for approval.
• Writes, rewrites, and edits copy following AP Style, using active voice and news format.
• Assists visitors, fields media queries, coordinates and moderates press interviews, and arranges media visits.
• Generates 2-3 editorial ideas monthly and delivers social media posts as needed.
• Handles an average of 10 callers per day and assists with 4 distinguished visitor (DV) visits per month.
• Updates website and social media sites multiple times daily.
• Distributes an average of 2 communications reports weekly.
• Oversees, researches, plans, writes, executes, and evaluates communications plans, operations plans, and community relations plans for measurable results.
• Develops messaging, communications plans, and supporting media for targeted audiences.
• Coordinates with DHA public affairs leaders on critical information dissemination and community relations initiatives.
• Ensures Defense Health Agency (DHA) messages are communicated effectively to internal audiences.
• Formulates strategies for major issues and coordinates message development for the Market office.
• Provides strategic counsel to senior leaders and Market Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs).
• Develops speeches and briefings to communicate key themes to diverse audiences.
• Coordinates public website content to support MHS/DHA communication objectives.
• Enhances effectiveness of communications and community relations plans with measurable outcomes.
• Defines strategic partnerships within Agency and Market contexts.
• Coordinates with MTF and DHA communications teams to disseminate messages and provide feedback.
• Oversees social media platforms and reviews internal communications for consistent messaging.
• Coordinates with DHA Headquarters SRATCOM team for communications support.
• Analyzes media coverage and recommends methods to increase public awareness and stakeholder support.
• Develops network-based operations models for strategic communications to patients and staff.
• Analyzes conflicting input from stakeholders to achieve consensus and support public affairs objectives.
• Manages Market Office communications planning programs and provides input into MHS/DHA Strategic Communication plans.
• Applies new approaches to complex public affairs problems to enhance understanding of MHS/DHA programs.
• Controls strategic release of information to inform internal and external audiences.
• Provides crisis communications planning and resolves unfavorable media incidents.
• Analyzes public affairs problems and determines new approaches for informing key groups about MHS/DHA programs.
• Facilitates relationships with medical organizations, veterans groups, federal agencies, and NGOs.
• Develops and coordinates communications plans with local subject-matter experts.
• Evaluates and incorporates latest developments in communications into plans and strategies.
• Establishes and maintains relations with communications organizations and news media.
• Identifies public perception problem areas and recommends integrated strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in public affairs, project management, or a combination of both.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with project management tools and software, as well as digital communication tools.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems or military communications is highly desirable.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• Knowledge of strategic communication principles, methods, and techniques to facilitate command information programs.
• Skill in developing written, oral, and social media materials to convey complex information.
• Skill in developing and maintaining cooperative relationships with representatives at all levels.
• Strong oral communication skills for conducting interviews and explaining views to supervisors, staff, and contractors.
• Demonstrated strong prioritization and time management skills.