Senior Communications Specialist

Senior Communications Specialist
ROLE
We need an experienced Senior Communications Specialist at the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) in Portsmouth, Virginia. NMCPHC amplifies warfighter lethality by delivering cutting-edge preventive medicine and public health services to Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint forces globally, serving as the Navy and Marine Corps' public health authority for force health protection strategy and mission readiness. In this role, you will plan, develop, and execute a broad communications mandate across the NMCFHPC enterprise, producing everything from the annual Strategic Communication Plan to press releases, technical reports, and social media campaigns, while translating complex scientific and medical subject matter into compelling narratives for internal and external audiences. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
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RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the annual NMCFHPC enterprise-wide Strategic Communication Plan aligned with Navy Medicine and NMFL strategic communication plans and command priorities
• Develop an enterprise-wide outreach and engagement plan
• Develop communication products including press releases, speeches, fact sheets, feature articles, pamphlets, newsletters, magazines, technical reports, website content, and social media posts in adherence with the AP Style Guide and Navy, Navy Medicine, and command public affairs and branding guidelines
• Coordinate with command technical experts and leaders to ensure all communication products accurately reflect the scientific and medical technical aspects of subject matter while aligning with strategic communication priorities
• Ensure effective dissemination of communication products across multiple platforms including the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS), approved social media platforms, the command intranet, and public-facing websites
• Develop and evaluate strategic communication campaigns under the guidance of the NMCFHPC DMO and PAO, including coordination, approval, scheduling, management, and evaluation of those campaigns
• Conduct a formal assessment of key customers and target audiences across NMCFHPC Directorates and Field Activities; compile and maintain an audience and customer contact database; update assessments and databases annually
• Conduct an information needs assessment of the enterprise's key customers and audiences and develop a list of information products that would enhance the enterprise's service to those customers and their awareness of enterprise capabilities
• Develop assigned stories by researching, interviewing internal and external sources, and translating complex technical, scientific, medical, and military subject matter into compelling narratives aligned with strategic communication priorities
• Produce photographs and graphics that effectively communicate the Navy and NMCFHPC enterprise story to internal and external audiences
• Assist with preparation, organization, and maintenance of program-related instructional, written, and oral briefing materials incorporating Government-directed updates and documenting feedback using Government-provided formats

REQUIRED EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, communications, public relations, health communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience - required
• APR (Accredited in Public Relations) certification - preferred

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

• Five (5) years of proven experience in public relations, public affairs, or corporate communications with strong working knowledge of a variety of PR/PA programs
• Proven experience running public relations or public affairs campaigns that deliver measurable results and meet objectives
• Proven experience understanding organizational structure and higher authority's strategic vision and priorities
• Comprehensive grasp of health communication strategies
• Comprehensive competence in social media strategy and content development
• Experience in scientific and medical technical writing
• Experience in copywriting and editing per AP Style Guide
• Intermediate competence in photography
• Intermediate competence in graphic design
• Intermediate competence in knowledge management, information management systems, and process development
• Intermediate competence in web design
• Proficiency in media and social media monitoring and analysis
• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms
• Experience working with media

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

• Proven experience in public health communications for a large public health system, preferably a large military public health system or command
• Familiarity with the American Forces Public Information Management System (AFPIMS)
• Extensive experience with strategic communication campaign development and execution
• Demonstrated proficiency with scientific and medical technical writing
• Extensive experience in website and social media strategy and content development

LOCATION

• 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708

CLEARANCE

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Active secret clearance required

CLIENT

• Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command (NMCFHPC), Navy Marine Corp public Health Center (NMCPHC)

TRAVEL

• No travel required

WORK HOURS

• 40 hours per week
• 8 hours per working day

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

• Employment Classification Eligibility - W2

COMPENSATION

• Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000
• Benefits: Benefits package includes options for health, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401k contribution options

West 4th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.

Other Considerations: applicants will be subject to a background investigation. Individual's primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.