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SalaryTitle: Public Affairs Specialist III
Work Location: US Army, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ - Hybrid
Employment: Full-Time
Min. Education Requirement/Years of Experience: 5+ years of experience
Clearance: Must be a U.S. Citizen and clearable
The Public Affairs Specialist provides services as detailed below for the Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PM SL) Contract Advisory and Assistance Services Support Contract for the Army. PM SL supports Soldiers through the enhancement of current systems and development of next-generation weapons technology. The organization focuses on ensuring Soldiers are equipped with world-class weapon systems and associated target acquisition/fire-control products.
Responsibilities
Provides Public Affairs support by performing the following tasks:
- Serves as a Public Affairs Specialist for an organization while operating in coordination with higher headquarters, other DOD and federal organizations and partners.
- Responsible for the planning and conduct of the organization's media relations program as well as community relations and internal communications.
- Facilitates media operations with special emphasis on maintaining effective relationships with the media and understanding perceptions held by international, national, regional and local media and target audiences that affect public opinion about the organization and the organizations reputation.
- Develops and conducts a community relations program, providing guidance and assistance on community relations events and problems to other installation elements.
- Establishes and develops effective relationships with media representatives and Public Affairs personnel of specialized groups, including trade publication media and industry Public Affairs personnel, to expand interest in and news coverage of command programs.
- Determines in what ways the command can work more closely with news media and industry groups in communicating with audiences interested in or affected by command programs.
- Develops varied and complex strategies for effectively responding to public and media interests about controversial issues to prevent erroneous and sensational reporting.
- Monitors content of print, broadcast and social media outlets on a daily basis to keep Public Affairs supervisor and other managers aware of current media interests that could impact on their programs and decisions.
- Makes recommendations concerning media relations program to ensure that resources are aligned with maintaining an aggressive, proactive effort and to keep management informed of current media interests.
- Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of communication plans and advises general officers, commanders and directors if efforts should be discontinued, emphasis changed or coverage expanded improving intercommunication between the command and various audiences through media utilization.
- Assists collateral Public Affairs personnel and commanders of subordinate activities about local issues and national issues affecting their portfolios and responsible areas.
- Checks content, accuracy, format, and distribution of informational products for public release.
- Prepares or directs preparation of informational materials for use in public information activities.
- Ensures that responses to higher level inquiries, taskings and requests for written materials meet applicable deadlines and diverse requirements of the general public and specialized and military audiences and readerships.
- Ensures that all materials are properly coordinated with subject matter experts prior to public release.
- Responsible for managing various media and media relations programs which requires planning and coordinating for the wide dissemination of information relating to the programs, objectives and functions of the organization through the available media.
- Develops and writes information materials designed to reach national audiences through the news media such as wire services, radio, television, newspaper, social media etc. Written materials include: news releases; audio and/or visual products, fact sheets, feature stories, background statements, blogs and social media products.
- Responds to news media inquiries-including national print and electronic media and provides information in a variety of formats.
- Assists general officers, commanders, directors, and other senior representatives and subject matter experts to prepare for media interviews and coverage of special events.
- Develops new and future media releases of local, regional, and national interest for newspapers, radio, television, electronic media, magazines, professional, technical, and trade journals, with the potential to exploit the contributions of the supported organizations to the community and national defense.
- Reviews internal reports, technical papers, documents, and other sources for potential story ideas and adapts them for releases, stressing different approach and emphasis depending upon audience to be reached.
- Consults staff, laboratory, and directorate personnel to obtain required information for fact sheets, news, or feature releases.
- Maintains continuing awareness of organizational activities, assuring newsworthy events are properly and adequately presented to the appropriate media.
- Maintains close coordination with the staffs and personnel of all organizations to determine research and development efforts, activities, programs, plans, and events for both internal and external consumption.
- Schedules and obtains visual aids required to support written material.
- Responsible for factual accuracy and for verifying information and sources used in material presented.
Qualifications
- Must possess time management and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrates five or more years of experience of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skill in applying principles and using methods in conducting a Public Affairs program involving public information, internal information, and community relations activities for internal and external audiences.
- Skill in writing and reviewing a variety of articles, news releases and speeches in conveying information and clarifying the organizations operations, programs, and activities to specialized audiences and general public.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups.
- Skill in making oral presentations to various internal and external groups informing them of programs, objectives, and activities.
- Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating complex data and developing appropriate recommendations for the command representatives’ consideration.
- Skill in written communication in developing news releases, feature stories, background statement, fact sheets, and radio spots that effectively transmit information about command programs, activities and functions.
- Skill in interviewing a variety of people and gathering information from many different sources.
- Knowledge of journalistic practices and pertinent Army regulations to design, lay-out, and direct the production of installation newspaper.
Experience
5 or more years’ experience, preferably in a military environment
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent will be exposed to normal demands associated with an office environment. Ability to work on a computer for long periods, and communicate with individuals by telephone, email, and face to face. This position requires the incumbent to have the ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
Work Environment:
The noise level in the work environment is usually light.
Working at Inalab Consulting, Inc.
Inalab is a diverse, prosperous, and rewarding place to work. We provide our employees with competitive benefits, educational assistance, and career growth opportunities. Every employee is valued for their talents and contributions. We all take pride in helping our customers achieve their goals, which in turn contributes to the overall success of the company.
Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. US citizenship may be required for some positions.
With our company you will earn a highly competitive salary commensurate with your skill level and experience. You will also enjoy:
- Minimum of two (2) weeks annual paid time off.
- A comprehensive, company-paid medical, dental, and vision plan and life insurance.
- 401K plan with vesting for company added contributions.
Inalab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
