Public Relations and Media Specialist

Position Summary: 

ICF is seeking a Public Relations and Media Specialist for Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children’s Bureau (CB), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that centralizes resources for the nation’s child welfare, adoption, and foster care professionals, along with the public. 

The Public Relations and Media Specialist will support public-facing communications as part of the project’s Customer Support Services team. This role is responsible for managing high profile, sensitive communications, crafting strategic responses to complex inquiries, and supporting live chat and phone hotline operations. The ideal candidate will be experienced in public affairs and government relations, and excellent writer and editor, adept at navigating customer relationship management platforms and other technological platforms, leveraging AI tools and demonstrated experience in media writing. This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to interface with clients and internal teams in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support innovation by leveraging emerging communication technologies and AI tools to enhance responsiveness, streamline public engagement, stay abreast of rapidly shifting digital media laws and policies, and deliver strategic, high-impact messaging across platforms. 

• Manage and respond to complex constituent communications and sensitive media and public information requests, ensuring confidentiality and alignment with client messaging. 

• Draft and deliver high-volume, high-profile correspondence often requiring complexity, including ability to navigate legal and sensitive issues pertaining to children and families.  

• Develop and deliver strategic, nuanced responses to complex or high-profile inquiries, often requiring coordination across multiple program teams. 

• Serve as a primary point of contact for sensitive and/or complex questions submitted through the program’s website and digital communication channels. 

• Draft, review, and distribute official responses, press releases, and public statements in coordination with the client’s communications team. 

• Monitor media coverage and public sentiment, providing regular reports and strategic insights to program leadership. 

• Collaborate with internal and client teams to ensure consistent messaging and timely responses to emerging issues. 

• Maintain accurate records of correspondence and media interactions using secure tracking systems. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in communications, public relations, legal writing, media writing, journalism, or a related field. 

• 7+ years of experience in public affairs, media relations, with a focus on high profile government communications. 

• Experience supporting federal clients or large scale/national nonprofit organizations with public-facing programs.