Salary : $82,352.00 - $131,852.00 Annually
Location : 1 Veterans Pl Silver Spring MD 20910 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Community Engagement Cluster
Division: CEC 16 Wheaton Urban District
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

About the Position
Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $82,352 to $107,102, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

What You'll Be Doing
The Public Relations Specialist serves as a core member of the Urban Districts marketing team, responsible for executing and coordinating marketing, events, public relations, media, and promotional initiatives across Urban Districts, including Silver Spring and Wheaton. This position executes work based on marketing strategies, goals, and quarterly plans set by the Marketing Manager and Departmental leadership, ensuring timely delivery, consistency, and alignment with departmental priorities, budgets, and performance metrics. The position serves as a public-facing communications liaison for Urban District initiatives, supporting media relations, community engagement, public information needs, and external coordination. The role performs a broad range of public relations, marketing, communications, events, and outreach functions in support of evolving Urban Districts' priorities and initiatives.
As an Urban District Public Relations Specialist, duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Support public relations and media activities by developing press releases, advisories, talking points, and other communications aligned with Urban District priorities.
• Coordinate media outreach, pitch stories, respond to inquiries, and support consistent and accurate public-facing messaging across platforms.
• Plan and implement marketing and promotional efforts for Urban District events, including timelines, materials, on-site operations, and post-event wrap-ups.
• Assist in the organization and execution of community meetings, advisory committee sessions, and public engagement activities, preparing presentations and communications materials as needed.
• Serve as a communications liaison with community groups, County partners, businesses, and other stakeholders.
• Support updates to websites, digital platforms, and marketing materials to maintain timely and accurate information.
• Contribute to special initiatives such as Arts & Entertainment District promotions, sponsorship cultivation, and partner coordination.
• Perform additional communications, marketing, and outreach tasks as assigned to support Urban District priorities.

This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.
This position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays to support community meetings, public events, and on-site event execution across the Urban Districts, but also support on social media post during weekend.

Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Extensive (5 years) experience in marketing, public relations, event management, and promotion work
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communication, or a related field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Medical Protocol: This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.
Financial Disclosure Statement: This position is designated as one that requires filing a Financial Disclosure Statement and you will be required to disclose information about your financial affairs.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas:

• Experience developing public relations or media communications such as press releases, advisories, talking points, or story pitches.
• Experience producing written communications published by external organizations, government entities, or media outlets.
• Experience supporting marketing and promotional campaigns.
• Experience planning or coordinating event marketing, promotions, or logistics.
• Experience supporting community engagement, outreach, or stakeholder communications.
• Experience creating or updating digital communications such as website content, email communications, or social media messaging.
• Experience supporting or securing sponsorships or partnerships for programs, events, or promotional initiatives.
• Experience creating visual, graphic, or promotional design assets using design software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
01

MQ Question PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST (000812)

What is your highest level of completed education?

• N/A
• High School/GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Juris Doctor
• Doctorate

02

MQ Question PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST (000812)

Do you have a degree in marketing, public relations, communication, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03

MQ Question PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST (000812)

How many years of professional experience do you have in marketing, public relations, event management, and promotion work?

• No Experience or less than 1 year
• 1-2 Year's Experience
• 3 Year's Experience
• 4 Year's Experience
• 5 Year's Experience
• 6 Year's Experience
• 7 Year's Experience
• 8 Year's Experience
• 9+ Year's Experience

04

Please identify the position or positions on y