Job Description

Writer and Author (Print Journalism)

Position Description:

Network Runners, Inc. is seeking a full-time Writer and Author (Print Journalism) to support the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Hospital Communications Department. The Writer and Author will identify, research, develop, and publish compelling stories that communicate Walter Reed’s clinical innovation, research, patient care, staff achievements, command priorities, and service to military and civilian audiences across print and digital platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a strategic editorial calendar for print and long-form digital publications and serve as project lead for feature stories from initial concept through research, interviews, writing, multimedia coordination, review, layout, and publication.
• Proactively identify and develop newsworthy story ideas aligned with strategic communication objectives, including clinical advancements, medical research, patient success stories, staff achievements, and command initiatives.
• Conduct thorough and sensitive interviews with medical staff, patients, families, senior leaders, visitors, and subject matter experts to develop accurate, balanced, and compelling narratives.
• Develop news pegs, story angles, feature stories, news releases, special publications, speeches, briefings, talking points, and other written communications for internal and external audiences.
• Write, rewrite, and edit copy using Associated Press (AP) Style, active voice, traditional journalistic leads, bridges, transitions, and news formats.
• Coordinate with photographers, videographers, graphic designers, Public Affairs offices, and subject matter experts to produce integrated multimedia story packages.
• Support media relations by responding to media queries, coordinating and moderating press interviews, arranging media visits, and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external media stakeholders.
• Support press conferences, media briefings, community engagement activities, distinguished visitor events, and crisis communication planning and execution.
• Develop and maintain content for the Walter Reed public website, intranet, and social media platforms and submit products to Public Affairs leadership for review before release.
• Monitor media coverage, assess the effectiveness of communication activities, compile recurring external communication reports, and provide recommendations to improve audience engagement and message effectiveness.
• Meet daily, weekly, and ad hoc suspense requirements, including generating recurring editorial ideas and supporting high-tempo communications requirements as mission needs dictate.
• Formulate communication strategies for major issues and provide strategic messaging support to senior leaders and Military Treatment Facility stakeholders.

Minimum Education / Experience / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of proven journalism or professional writing experience supported by a strong portfolio of published work demonstrating interviewing, narrative storytelling, and long-form writing expertise.
• Proven experience in healthcare communications, military public affairs, or a similar regulated, high-visibility environment.
• Thorough understanding of and ability to rigorously safeguard HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI), particularly when interviewing patients and families.
• Excellent project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage an editorial calendar, develop content strategies, coordinate multiple stories simultaneously, and meet firm deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build rapport and trust with patients, families, senior leaders, medical professionals, and other interview subjects.
• Strong knowledge of AP Style and professional journalistic research, interviewing, writing, editing, and source-verification practices.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required Tier II non-critical sensitive background investigation and Common Access Card (CAC) for access to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and DHA systems.
• Ability to complete required Department of War/Defense Health Agency onboarding, security, privacy, HIPAA, and other mandatory training and to execute the required DHA non-disclosure agreement prior to beginning work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional experience supporting media relations, crisis communications, senior-leader messaging, or military healthcare communications beyond the minimum requirements.

Type of Job: Full Time

Salary: Competitive Salary

Attractive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, HSA/FSA, LTD/STD, PTO, Federal Holidays (eligibility may vary based on employment status)

Work Location: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20889. Work is performed on-site Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays and Government-directed closures. Occasional support outside normal duty hours may be required for contingency plan activations or exercises.

Company Description:

Network Runners, Inc. is an Information Technology Solutions Company providing innovative IT solutions and organizational support within the Department of Defense and the civil sector. Our largest presence is in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, DHS/USCG, DHS/S&T, and USSTRATCOM, where we provide Information Technology and Organizational Support solutions. Today, NRI’s experienced and highly qualified team members support customers in multiple locations nationwide. We are recognized for our value, ingenuity, and mission focus. Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, NRI is an established CMMI Maturity Level 3 and ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 20000-1, ISO/IEC 27001, and ISO 14001 certified Women-Owned Small Business.

Network Runners, Inc. (NRI) is an equal opportunity employer. NRI prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, ethnic or national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. NRI conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.