Contracting Resources Group, Inc. (CRG) is a mid-sized woman-owned business supporting federal mission priorities through program execution, performance measurement, strategic communications, acquisition support, and digital transformation.  Since 2002, CRG has provided high-quality solutions with a focus on reliability, agility, and operational excellence. We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and have been recognized for our strong workplace culture through awards such as “Best Places to Work” and the Department of Labor’s HireVets Platinum Medallion.

Description: This position is for a media relations specialist supporting the Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency. The team supplies strategy, planning, video, news writing, graphic design, social media, media relations, outreach, web, and administrative support to one of the largest communication programs in the Department of War. The purpose of the position is to conduct media relations activities to advance MHS and DHA objectives and priorities by building understanding and support among key external audiences.

Job Duties:

• Research, plan, execute, and assess media relations activities to advance organizational priorities and objectives.
• Identify communications, risks, opportunities, goals, and objectives within assigned areas.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with headquarters level subject matter experts (SMEs), leaders, staff, and public affairs personnel as well with SMEs and public affairs personnel at lower echelons.
• Produce daily and as-needed media reports for senior leadership, detailing trends in coverage, sentiment, audience reach, media type, coverage areas, and other metrics.
• Identify, research, and pitch complex topics to a variety of media outlets, including national, local, and trade press.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with reporters.
• Plan, execute, and assess media engagements, to include conducting preparation and training for subject matter experts and senior leaders.
• Write and coordinate Public Affairs Guidance, talking points, questions and answers, issue papers, press releases, media advisories, media engagement preparation materials, and related products.
• Coordinate media relations activities with other communication functions, such as community outreach, social media, the newsroom, and web as part of an overall strategic communication effort.
• Ensure products comply with AP Style, division style guides, and Section 508 of the Individuals with Disabilities Act requirements.

Qualifications

• Degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or similar field
• Mastery of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication that enable the public affairs specialist to function as a technical authority within the assigned area of responsibility for the research, planning, execution, and assessment of proactive media relations activities.
• Ability to conduct and/or lead media relations activities related to a variety of topics.
• Experience and/or education in identifying, researching, and effectively pitching complicated topics to a variety of outlets, both trade and mainstream media.
• Experience and/or education in establishing and maintaining relationships with the media.
• Experience and/or education in planning, executing/facilitating, and assessing media engagements, to include conducting thorough subject matter expert and senior leader prep/training.
• Experience and/or education in writing and coordinating Public Affairs Guidance, talking points, questions and answers, issue papers, press releases, media advisories, SME prep materials, and related products.
• Experience and/or education in oral and written communications.
• Experience and/or education in assessing media engagements and communicating findings/recommendations for future directions to leaders.
• Experience and/or education in identifying and recommending media engagement courses of action to advance organizational goals.
• Experience and/or education in coordinating media relations activities with internal information, community outreach, social media, and other communication functions as part of an overall strategic communication effort.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and as a team.
• Experience following AP Style.

Preferred but not Required

• Experience working with the Department of War.
• Experience with media intelligence suites (e.g. CISION, Meltwater, PublicRelay)

• PRSA certification

Location: Primarily remote, in the National Capitol Region. On occasion, duties require the employee to be on-site at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, VA.

Benefits
Full-time employees are eligible for 401(k) and Roth retirement plans, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (for employees and families), Supplemental Insurance, 11 Federal Holidays, and at least three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), including sick and personal leave.

CRG is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business need. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other state or federally protected category.