Public Affairs Specialist

Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Patrona Corporation is looking for a motivated individual ready to join a fast-paced work environment supporting Capability Portfolio Executive Combat Systems and Fires (CPE CSF) Program Offices, the U.S. Navy’s office responsible for acquiring state-of-the-art naval combat and weapons systems, as a Congressional and Public Affairs Specialist.

Patrona Corporation is a DoW federal contractor providing program management, engineering, strategic and operational planning, quality assurance, financial management, and administrative support services.

• Washington D.C. metropolitan area
• This position allows a minimal opportunity to work remotely.

• Must possess or be able to obtain a Department of War (DoW) security clearance.

• Bachelor’s level degree with 8 years of related professional experience in Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Government, legislative affairs or other related Public Affairs Office positions.

OR

• High School Degree and 12 years related professional experience.

• Prior service on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, at DOE, DOD, a national laboratory, or in a senior federal affairs role.
• Experience with defense programs.
• Familiarity with federal funding mechanisms, cooperative agreements, contracts, and appropriations. Prior direct experience working on Capitol Hill (personal or committee staff), within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Navy Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Navy Office of Information (CHINFO), or a defense acquisition program executive office (PEO).
• Direct familiarity with naval combat systems, naval surface/undersea fires, sensors, weapons development, and NAVSEA operations.
• Working knowledge of federal procurement mechanisms, defense acquisition milestones (DoDI 5000.02), and federal budget authority (BA) execution.
• Knowledge of ETMS
  2.

The Congressional and Public Affairs Specialist provides integrated legislative, public affairs, and executive support to senior leadership within a naval acquisition organization. Operating at the nexus of naval acquisition, congressional oversight, and public affairs, the analyst works with Program Offices to translate complex combat systems and weapons programs into structured, defensible messaging for Congress, the Department of the Navy (DON), the Department of War and industry.

The incumbent serves as a trusted advisor and communicator, monitoring legislative actions across the defense budget cycle, preparing executive leaders for congressional hearings, drafting senior‑level remarks, and managing inquiries under tight operational timelines while safeguarding operational security (OPSEC) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• Legislative Cycle Tracking: Monitor, analyze, and synthesize congressional activities, hearing transcripts, committee markups, and statutory reports from the defense committees (HASC, SASC, HAC-D, SAC-D).
• Budget Alignment & Justification: Track the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Defense Appropriations cycles, aligning program office milestones with the President’s Budget (PB) submission and DON oversight requirements.
• Oversight & Audit Coordination: Serve as primary action officer coordinating formal program responses to Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits and Congressional Research Service (CRS) inquiries.

• Content Prep for Senior Executives: Research, draft, and refine remarks, opening statements, talking points, and conference presentations for Flag/General Officers and Senior Executive Service (SES)…