Public Relations Specialist

Vistra Communications • Washington, DC

1d • Remote

About The Position

Vistra has an immediate opening for a public relations specialist to provide comprehensive marketing, public relations, and strategic communications support to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) within Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA). This role involves developing and executing comprehensive communications plans and managing outreach initiatives to promote SAPRO's mission of preventing sexual assault in the military and supporting survivors. The Public Relations Specialist will perform activities in support of various aspects of the program, with a specific focus on social media strategies and plans, to ensure high-quality deliverables and maintain professional interactions with stakeholders. The specialist will operate at a high tempo to address short or no notice taskers and adapt to emerging requirements.

The objective of this role is to assist SAPRO in performing its mission of promoting military readiness by reducing sexual assault through prevention, advocacy, and execution of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program policy, planning, and oversight across the Department of War (DoW) Community. This is a remote position working 50 miles within the Mark Center in Alexandria, VA; anticipated on-site presence might be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• Three years of experience planning, directing, or coordinating comprehensive marketing, public relations, or strategic communications efforts within public or private sector organizations.
• Experience developing, managing, and implementing organizational social media strategies for a mission-driven or public sector organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Effectively incorporates feedback and balances different perspectives.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• US Citizenship Required: Due to the requirements of the federal contract that this position supports, U.S. citizenship is required. Citizenship will be confirmed via I-9/E-Verify at the start of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Prior DoW experience, especially within Defense Human Resources Activity or the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (OUSD-P&R), strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop a long-term, comprehensive social media strategy aligned with SAPR objectives, including prevention education, support resources, awareness campaigns, and relevant observances.
• Ensure social media strategies, plans, and content comply with all governing policies and requirements, including records management, section 508, and trauma-informed communication standards.
• Coordinate messaging with internal and external stakeholders to maintain consistency, accuracy, and sensitivity across platforms.
• Identify relevant performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness; use data to provide insights to refine content, timing, and platform strategies.
• Participate in the development and execution of comprehensive communications plans and social marketing initiatives in support of SAPRO's mission.
• Contribute to the development of a plan of action and milestones for SAPRO's internal and external communications activities, including annual reports, leadership speaking engagements, conference attendance, and other public affairs opportunities.
• Maintain a SharePoint library of information papers, slick sheets, and educational materials about the SAPRO mission.
• Create and update information papers, slick sheets, and educational materials with information provided by the Government.
• Implement and maintain SAPRO branding guidelines across all print, audiovisual, and electronic media.
• Draft talking points, speeches, and provide executive coaching for public appearances by SAPRO Leadership.
• Prepare talking points, briefing materials, and provide executive coaching for DoW press interviews, media round tables, and other press encounters.
• Assemble documentation for SAPRO to submit to DoW Public Affairs.
• Provide draft executive level meeting summaries and final executive summaries to SAPRO Leadership.
• Contributes to a respectful, mission-focused team environment.

Benefits

• Vistra provides medical, dental, and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Parental and Bereavement Leave, and Professional Development, among other benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level