UDR Consulting Inc

Public Affairs Specialist

Tampa, FL
Full Time
Experienced
UDR is seeking qualified candidates for a Public Affairs Specialist opportunity for our customer in MacDill AFB, FL to support the HQ USSOCOM and HQ SOCCENT location.

Public Affairs Specialist
Close Date: 03.20.26
Number of Positions: 1
US Citizenship Required

DUTIES
The Public Affairs Specialist working in the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is responsible for planning, developing, and executing internal communication strategies that effectively disseminate information to SOCOM personnel and other internal and external stakeholders. The PA specialist will play a key role in the creation, layout, editing, and production of SOCOM’s flagship publications. This position requires a blend of traditional public affairs expertise, strong editorial skills, content creation knowledge, and internal and external communications with an emphasis on strategic messaging tailored to a large, diverse, and highly specialized audience. The specialist will work within the Public Affairs team to ensure that content is accurate, engaging, and aligned with military standards and messaging goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Command Information Strategy Development
  • Develop, implement, and manage SOCOM’s internal communication strategy to ensure clear, consistent, and timely dissemination of information within the command.
  • Coordinate with USSOCOM staff to ensure internal messaging aligns with the command’s objectives, priorities, and operational requirements.
  • Advise leadership on communication trends, best practices, and opportunities for improving engagement with key publics and SOCOM personnel.
     
Speechwriting & Message Development
  • Research, draft, and refine speeches, talking points, and remarks for senior command leaders, ensuring alignment with command objectives and tone.
  • Develop tailored key messages and themes to support command initiatives, operational milestones, and leadership engagements.
  • Coordinate with senior staff and subject matter experts to ensure factual accuracy and consistency with approved guidance

 Strategic Public Affairs Planning
  • Contribute to the development and execution of comprehensive public affairs strategies that support the command's strategic communication objectives.
  • Assist in the integration of PA efforts with IO, PSYOP, and interagency messaging to support theater and global communication campaigns.
  • Provide recommendations on narrative development, audience targeting, and engagement methods based on operational context.

Visual Storytelling & Photography
  • Capture professional-grade photography of command events, leadership activities, and missions for use in internal and external communication products.
  • Edit and curate visual content to DOW standards and submit to enterprise-level systems (e.g., DVIDS) as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with layout designers and content developers to ensure visuals support strategic messaging goals.

Article Writing & Editorial Content
  • Develop and write a variety of engaging content, including news articles, human-interest features, and command updates, for dissemination across internal and external communication channels. This role ensures all written materials are clear, compelling, and maintain a high standard of quality while consistently reflecting the organization's mission and strategic messaging.
  • Work with subject matter experts (SMEs), personnel from various SOCOM sub-organizations, and other stakeholders to gather content, conduct interviews and research to develop accurate and engaging content that reflects the command’s mission and values.
  • Ensure compliance with DOW and command editorial policies and review processes.

Design and Layout of Publications
  • Responsible for the graphic design and layout of various print and digital communication materials. This involves creating visually appealing and effective designs for publications, informational products, and other collateral to ensure a cohesive and professional brand identity across all organizational communications. Maintain consistent visual branding in line with command identity and DOW standards.
  • Coordinate with print vendors or internal production resources to ensure high-quality final products.

Coordination, Integration & Reporting
  • Collaborate with military PAOs, staff elements, and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated communication efforts.
  • Develop and maintain a content calendar to track communication initiatives, ensuring that communications are strategically timed and aligned with key events, milestones, and operational activities and provide regular updates on ongoing projects, milestones, and communication metrics to government leads.
  • Track and assess communication effectiveness using analytics, feedback, and engagement data; recommend adjustments as needed.
     
Media Monitoring, Research & Analysis
  • Constantly monitor and analyze news, blogs, podcasts, and other media sources to assess sentiment, how the command and its operations are portrayed, and potential reputational risks.
  • Conduct open-source Media Research to spot emerging issues or concerns and assess narrative developments in media coverage related to military operations, DOW policy, and geopolitical developments and provide actionable insights to PA leadership.
  • Generate daily, specific, and as needed media update and analysis reports for leadership and offer actionable feedback based on the effectiveness of key messages, tone, and command communication strategies.

General Support
Perform any additional tasks and support emerging requirements as necessary to support the Public Affairs section mission and command communication objectives, provided those tasks align with the scope of this contract.

Experience:
  • Possess active Top-Secret Clearance, eligible for SCI
  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field.
  • Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in public affairs, journalism, strategic communications, or media relations
  • Minimum 4 years of public affairs experience at the E-6/O-4 level within the Department of War, federal government, or national security environment, with demonstrated experience supporting high-level military commands or executive communications.
  • At least 3 years of experience in layout and design of print/digital publications, Photography and visual content production.
  • Proficient in DVIDS, and/or other DOW media management platforms
  • Minimum 2 years of experience utilizing Adobe Creative Suite
  • Understanding of the Joint Information Environment (JIE), Information Operations (IO), and Strategic Communication principles.

Work Hours:
Normal workdays are Monday through Friday except US Federal Holidays. USSOCOM and SOCCENT core hours are from 0900 to 1500 daily.

UDR Consulting, INC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Minority-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business.  An Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected Veterans, or individuals with disabilities.  UDR also supports a drug-free work environment.

UDR offers highly competitive salaries and employee benefit packages structured to best suit your needs. We offer multiple individual and family benefit options including paid time off, medical, dental, life, vision, and disability insurance, and a pre-tax 401 (k) retirement account with Company matching contributions and 100% vesting for eligible participants beginning DAY 1.
www.udrconsulting.com


 
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