Press Affairs Officer

Position Summary:

HunaTek is seeking a Press Affairs Officer to provide support to the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, under our contract with the Department of State. This position is located in Washington, DC and is contingent upon contract award. The contractors will serve as press officers on the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) press team, supporting WHA Front Office and Global Public Affairs (GPA) priorities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the five-person Press Unit and report to the WHA Spokesperson.
• Respond to press queries and serve as a press advisor for the WHA Front Office, WHA desk officers, and more than 50 posts in the field.
• Maintain a strong relationship with the Bureau of Global Public Affairs Office of Press Relations and Office of International Media Engagement.
• Field requests from the Office of Press Relations and provide bureau-wide clearances for press guidance, toppers, media queries, Spokesperson statements, and Secretary statements.
• Brief the Department Spokesperson and GPA staff on WHA posture and strategic messaging in preparation for the Department's Daily Press Briefing.
• Monitor news developments in U.S. media and foreign media reporting from U.S. missions overseas to identify and advise WHA leadership of breaking news stories.
• Attend policy-related meetings at the bureau, Department, and interagency levels and provide readouts/notes.
• Identify and compile a daily digest of speeches, briefings, interviews, Congressional testimony, press releases, press guidance, media notes, and fact sheets on WHA-related issues from bureaus across the Department and broader interagency for dissemination to U.S. officials and the public.
• Coordinate public affairs events, obtain clearances, prepare agendas, reserve conference rooms or spaces for interviews/meetings, and secure speakers as appropriate.
• Escort journalists and other press-related visitors for media events at the State Department.
• May work excess hours on call on weekends for unusually busy periods under supervision.

Skills and Qualification Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Secret security clearance.
• Skill in applying and adapting written and oral communication principles, techniques, and methods; analytical methods; and interpersonal relations practices to assigned tasks.
• Ability to independently select, interpret, and apply guidelines and instructions for public affairs products, modifying and adapting them to address situations not explicitly covered by existing guidance.
• Ability to clearly convey detailed program information, both orally and in writing, and provide meaningful recommendations to improve information materials.

About Us:
At HunaTek, we build teams of people from all backgrounds with varying levels of experience, knowing firsthand that diversity of thought will strengthen our ability to deliver for our customers. We work hand in hand with Federal civilian and military staff, pulling together to further the interests of our nation and home and abroad.

Whenever possible, we provide opportunities for our employees to learn new skills, obtain certifications, attend industry events, and have some fun together.

Our Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to make sure our employees and their families have access to good health care, are insured against catastrophic health events, can put money aside for retirement and are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance. These benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance and term life insurance
• 401(K) with safe harbor contribution
• Paid time off and 11 paid holidays
• Tuition and career development assistance
• A selection of voluntary benefits

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.