Media and Community Relations Specialist

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Research, draft, and coordinate media engagement activities with higher headquarters and subordinate commands to support current and future OAIs and exercises.
• Develop Public Affairs Guidance (PAG), Responses to Queries (RTQs), talking points (TPs), and executive media prep materials for senior INDOPACOM leaders.
• Conduct real-time media monitoring and develop "Media Atmospherics" reports following high-profile events or media engagements.
• Coordinate and gain OSD/PA and JS/PA approval on all PA products within 3 days of task receipt using email or Task Management System (TMS).
• Plan and execute media embed programs, including travel coordination, visa requirements, and liaison with U.S. Embassies, estimated 2-4 per month.
• Conduct daily conference calls with component PA offices and provide weekly email updates to leadership regarding planned media embeds.
• Produce the "J0PAC Update" for presentation during thrice-weekly briefs to the INDOPACOM Commander, covering key media activities, articles of interest, senior DoD statements, and upcoming events.
• Ensure PA guidance and TPs are included in major briefings such as the Theater Synchronization Working Group (TSWG), Distinguished Visitor (DV) meetings, and Future Operations (FUOPS) briefs.
• Attend daily B2C2WG meetings and support off-shift hours during 24/7 operations in times of crisis or exercise events with 48-hour notice.
• Write and edit daily news and feature stories in AP style for the INDOPACOM website and social media.
• Prepare and schedule daily social media content via J0PAC's Google Docs approval process, highlighting OAIs, outreach initiatives, and key Hawaiian cultural events.
• Plan, manage, and support community outreach across INDOPACOM components and with the State of Hawaii.
• Develop and maintain a monthly calendar of engagement events such as neighborhood boards, civic organizations, and military affairs councils.
• Track, summarize, and respond to community complaints and inquiries related to military presence across Hawaii.
• Represent INDOPACOM PA at monthly community meetings including Military Affairs Council, Native Hawaiian groups, and other civic entities, clearly identifying as a contractor.
• Submit meeting summaries and follow-up actions within one business day of engagement.
• Maintain communication with the Hawaii State Legislature; track bills, educate components on legislative procedures, and draft testimony.
• Submit a monthly legislative tracker in Microsoft Office format to J0PAC leadership.
• Develop civic engagement strategies for INDOPACOM leadership interactions with elected officials and special interest groups.
• Develop and deliver a Hawaiian cultural and history training program for newcomers to INDOPACOM and service components.
• Review and approve content for newcomer briefings; submit training materials in PowerPoint or other Office formats monthly.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• Educational background in communications, public affairs/relations, journalism, history, marketing, political science, and/or international affairs.
• Experience including but not limited to high-level media and public relations, strategic and tactical communications development in the Government, private sector, or both, community outreach, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Expertise in strategic targeted messaging and leadership advisement.
• Ability to develop broad, organization-wide communication strategies that support identified communication goals, needs, and objectives.
• Knowledge of media communications, social media applications and technologies, dissemination techniques and methods, as well as experience with crisis communications.
• Ability to effectively train, coach and assess organizations' communications capabilities and in a variety of forums, including one-on-one interviews, panel discussions, town hall events, large group oratory, and video-teleconference events.
• Experience with Hawaiian community activities and outreach techniques and methods.
• Experience with developing and maintaining effective working relationships with Hawaii government and State Legislators.
• Knowledge of the Hawaii State legislature and regulatory oversight process, its members, and public testimony methods.
• Knowledge and expertise of Hawaiian culture and history.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• An active DoD TS/SCI Clearance is required.

Nice to Have

• Previous experience in a joint, combatant command, or INDOPACOM-related environment.
• Familiarity with Indo-Pacific regional issues, cultures, and current affairs.
• Experience conducting media training and developing media prep materials for senior leaders.
• Understanding of U.S. military-community relations in Hawaii, including cultural and political sensitivities.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salaries.
• 401K plan with company match.
• Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Paid time off.
• 11 paid holidays.