Jobs in Virginia 2026 (Now Hiring) - Smart Auto Apply

The Public Affairs Officer – Senior, is responsible for developing, managing, and executing the agency's comprehensive communication and public relations strategies. This individual will serve as an advisor to senior leadership on all matters concerning public affairs. They will direct and produce a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including news and media relations, , executive communications, internal and external engagements, and community and academic outreach to advance the agency's mission and enhance its public standing.

Requirements

Duties May Include:

·         Strategic Communications: Develop and implement long-term strategic communication plans in alignment with the agency’s goals. Provide expert counsel to senior leadership on communications strategies, messaging, and public positioning. Lead the development and execution of internal and external communication campaigns.

·         News and Media Relations: Oversee the creation of press releases, media advisories, provide media prep, help develop responses to media inquiries, and other materials for the media.  Direct the content strategy and management of the agency’s public website and social media channels along with providing media measurements and metrics for both. Develop, execute, and publish a high volume of public affairs deliverables written in AP Style with minimal errors.  Products include articles, newsletters, social media content, podcast productions, photojournalism, website content, communication plans, video concepts, video scripts, and a daily news clip. Also provide support for government agency communicators meetings to include content preparation and day of support.

·         Community and Academic Outreach:  In support of community and academic outreach, conference planning and engagements, develop budgets, strategic outreach plans, strategic communications plans, and informal materials for a variety of audiences to include informational materials for industry, academia, leadership, and DoD/IC customers and stakeholders to include measurement, follow-up and analysis.  This includes preparing event specific NGA presentations, briefing books, slick sheets, brochures, handouts, and agendas.  Plan, coordinate, and execute high-level external events/campaigns for NGA strategy, workforce development, outreach campaigns, GEOINT Symposium, Esri Conference, and other engagements as requested. Manage visit dry runs, read ahead materials, prep packages, placemats, presentations, and briefing material.  All planning must be completed three (3) business days prior to the event.  Off-site public affairs support will be required for external conferences, academic outreach, senior leadership visits, and other events as required to include any other specified community relations.  Support of the agency’s distinguished speaker program. Track and manage external speaking engagements for NGA personnel (non-EXCOM).Executive Communications: Serve as  a speechwriter for senior leadership, preparing remarks for a variety of public and private events.  Also provide remarks and prepare email and other digital products for NGA senior leadership.

·         Engagements:  Support high-level military and civilian, foreign, and domestic visits/functions, ceremonies and special events hosted by NGA leadership. Prepare visit specific NGA presentations, briefing books, slick sheets, and agendas. Manage visit dry runs, read ahead materials, prep packages, placemats, presentations, and briefing material.  Planning must be completed three (3) business days prior to the event.  Track and manage both internal and external engagements for NGA Senior Leadership to include schedules, agendas, and planning materials.  Provide both formal and informal briefings to visiting groups and individuals which convey useful information, to include NGA museum tours. Provide support to the Geospatial Intelligence Hall of Fame Award Program to include: 

·         Publicize the call for nominations on internal/external platforms.

·         Process and consolidate nomination packages.

·         Submit a slate of candidates for membership to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.

·         Review the list of potential inductees and coordinate IG review.

·         Serve as Secretary to the Hall of Fame Selection Board.

·         Plan, publicize and oversee the annual awards program.

Internal Collaboration & Oversight: As a senior team member, provide copy editing and quality assurance for public affairs products. Support the monthly government agency communicators meeting, offer expert recommendations on emerging communication trends, and assist with tracking and maintaining media and public affairs logs.

Required Skills:

·         Education: A bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Public Affairs, Journalism, or a related field.  In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, the candidate must have 8+ years of direct public affairs or journalism.   Completion of formal DoW public affairs training (Defense Information School coursework) preferred. 

·         Experience: A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in  public affairs or journalism, in a leadership capacity, managing complex communication initiatives and advising senior executives.

·         Proven ability to develop and execute sophisticated, multi-faceted strategic communication plans.

·         Extensive experience and demonstrated success in public affairs or journalism..

·         Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a proven track record in speechwriting.

·         Demonstrated ability to lead effectively during high-pressure crisis situations.

·         Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute sophisticated, multi-faceted communication plans that align with organizational objectives.

·         Communication Proficiency: Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with a portfolio demonstrating high-quality speechwriting, press releases, and strategic messaging.

·         Stakeholder Relations: Superb interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community partners, government entities, and internal teams.

·         Digital Fluency: Strong understanding of digital and social media platforms as tools for strategic engagement and reputation management.

Benefits

Essential Network Security (ENS) Solutions, LLC is a service-disabled veteran owned, highly regarded IT consulting and management firm. ENS consults for the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) providing innovative solutions in the core competency area of Identity, Credential and Access Management (ICAM), Software Development, Cyber and Network Security, System Engineering, Program/Project Management, IT support, Solutions, and Services that yield enduring results. Our strong technical and management experts have been able to maintain a standard of excellence in their relationships while delivering innovative, scalable and collaborative infrastructure to our clients.

Why ENS?

• Free Platinum-Level Medical/Dental/Vision coverage, 100% paid for by ENS
• 401k Contribution from Day 1
• PTO + 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• Long & Short Term Disability Insurance
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Tuition, Certification & Professional Development Assistance
• Workers’ Compensation
• Relocation Assistance

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI tools are an important part of daily work at ENS Solutions, and we are committed to their responsible and ethical use. To ensure a fair and equitable candidate evaluation based on individual skills, knowledge, and experience, candidates are not permitted to use artificial intelligence or other assistive tools during interviews, whether in person or virtual, unless explicit permission has been granted in advance.