Public Relations Specialist

CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT AWARD. This position depends on a contract Federal Contracting Services, LLC (FCS) is competing for and will be filled only if FCS receives the award.

Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD (Full-time, on-site)

Salary: $93,000 – $109,500/year

Anticipated start: 1 Dec 2026

Role Description

• Develop and execute public affairs strategies; write press releases, talking points, newsletters, speeches and briefings.
• Coordinate media relations: respond to inquiries, arrange interviews and maintain relationships with media outlets.
• Plan, write, execute and evaluate communications, operations and community relations plans that produce measurable results.
• Monitor and analyze media coverage and campaign effectiveness; compile weekly external communication reports.
• Coordinate with Defense Health Agency (DHA) and National Capital Region public affairs leaders and military treatment facility (MTF) communications teams; support National Capital Region (NCR) Public Affairs Office (PAO), DHA and emergency-management communications meetings.
• Provide crisis-communication planning and time-critical support for unfavorable media incidents.
• Update internal and external websites and social media, and plan press conferences, media briefings and community engagement events.

Require Qualification

• 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, and with digital communication tools.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of strategic communication, including selecting and using the right communication tools to help facilitate and implement a command information program for audiences at varying levels of interaction.
• Knowledge and skill in developing written, oral and social media materials that convey complex information and clarify the organization's operations, programs and activities to various audiences.
• Skill in developing and maintaining effective, cooperative relationships with representatives at all levels, from organizations and activities on and off the installation.
• Oral communication skill sufficient to conduct one-on-one and group interviews and to explain views, goals and objectives to supervisors, staff and contractors.
• Strong prioritization and time-management skills.

Preferred Qualification

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems or military communications.

You Must Be Able To

• Obtain and keep a Common Access Card (CAC) and a favorably adjudicated Tier 2 (non-critical sensitive) background investigation.
• Sign a Defense Health Agency (DHA) Non-Disclosure Agreement (DHA Form 49) no later than the first day of employment, renewed each option year.
• Complete DHA onboarding, mandatory Department of War (DoW) and DHA training, and HIPAA privacy and security training within the first 30 days.
• Meet DHA health and immunization requirements.
• Work at Walter Reed in a hybrid arrangement, with the on-site and telework schedule set by the Government; support contingency activations or exercises outside normal duty hours when required.

Additional FCS Requirements

• Submit one communication-plan writing sample with your application.

Benefits

• Employer-subsidized medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and their families
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution
• 11 paid federal holidays plus 80 hours of paid time off, usable for vacation or sick and safe leave
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• Government-furnished workspace and equipment at Walter Reed

Federal Contracting Services (FCS) is seeking a meticulous, analytically sharp Editor to serve as the guardian of Walter Reed's voice, credibility and accuracy across all written platforms. You will review, edit and manage the clearance of all written materials destined for public release. That work needs an expert command of language and style, an understanding of medical and military contexts, and disciplined management of a multi-stakeholder approval process.