Public Affairs Officer at Amentum in El Paso, TX

Public Affairs Officer Location: US-TX-El Paso Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Headquartered in Virginia, we have more than 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries across all 7 continents. Amentum is seeking an experienced Public Affairs Officer with proven congressional liaison expertise to serve as the primary representative supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Camp East Montana (CEM), Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. This role directly supports the government with media relations and internal/external communications while facilitating effective communications and information exchange between the program team, DHS/ICE leadership, and U.S. Government stakeholders.The incumbent ensures mutual understanding, unity of purpose, and successful performance of programs and operations at the facility in a high-visibility, sensitive environment. Key Responsibilities: ·Serve as the lead for public affairs activities at CEM, coordinating closely with Amentum Corporate communications, and ICE Office of Public Affairs, to support government media relations, including drafting responses to media inquiries, drafting press releases, talking points, fact sheets and briefing materials. ·Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive internal and external communication strategies, plans, and products to keep stakeholders informed and aligned. ·Act as support for congressional liaison:monitor legislative developments, prepare and coordinate responses to Congressional inquiries, support briefings, hearings, and site visits, and build/maintain productive relationships with DHS/ICE congressional liaison representatives and lobbyists, if applicable. ·Facilitate timely, accurate, and secure two-way information exchange between the program/contractor team and DHS/ICE components to promote mutual understanding, resolve issues proactively, and ensure program success. ·Monitor traditional, social, and news media coverage related to CEM, ICE operations, and immigration enforcement; provide analysis and strategic recommendations to program leadership and government partners. ·Support crisis communications planning, rapid response, and issues management in coordination with DHS/ICE. ·Ensure all communications comply with DHS/ICE policies, federal regulations (including FOIA and Privacy Act), security protocols, classification guidelines, and public disclosure requirements. ·Prepare high-quality written and oral products (briefings, reports, newsletters, speeches, etc) for diverse audiences including senior government officials, Congress, media, and internal staff. ·Maintain details records of communications activities and provide regular status reports to contractor and government leadership. Qualifications and requirements Required ·Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Political Science, Government Affairs, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). ·Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in public affairs, media relations, strategic communications, or legislative affairs, preferably in a federal government or federal contracted work environment. ·At least 4 years of direct congressional liaison or Capitol Hill experience, including drafting responses to Congressional inquiries, preparing briefings, and engaging with congressional staff. ·Demonstrated ability to work in high-scrutiny, sensitive environments such as law enforcement, homeland security, or immigration/detention operations. ·Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, concise messaging for varied audiences. ·Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships with senior government officials, media representatives, and congressional stakeholders. ·U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Secret (or higher) security clearance and pass all required background investigations for unescorted access to ICE facilities. Preferred ·Prior direct experience supporting DHS, ICE, or other federal law enforcement/homeland security programs. ·Familiarity with federal contracting, detention operations, or immigration enforcement communications. ·Crisis communications or issues-management experience ·Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) ·Active Secret or Top Secret Clearance Location and Work Environment On-site support required at Camp East Montana (CEM), El Paso, Texas, with occasional travel to Washington DC or other locations for congressional engagements or program needs.This is a full-time position in a dynamic, 24/7 operational environment subject to evolving priorities and potential high-visibility scrutiny. Security and Compliance This position requires U.S. citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation.All communications must adhere strictly to government protocols for sensitive and law-enforcement sensitive information. This role demands the highest standards of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and adaptability in a mission-critical federal contracted workplace environment. Other Responsibilities Safety - Amentum enforces a safety culture whereby all employees have the responsibility for continuously developing and maintaining a safe work environment. As appropriate, each employee is responsible for completing all training requirements and fulfilling all self-aid/buddy aid responsibilities, participating in emergency response tasks and serving on safety committees and teams. Quality - Quality is the foundation for the management of our business and the keystone to our goal of customer satisfaction. It is our policy to consistently provide services that meet customer expectations. Accordingly, each employee must conform to the Amentum Quality Policy and carry out job activities in compliance with applicable Amentum Quality System documents and customer contracts. Each employee must read and understand his/her Quality Management and Customer Satisfaction responsibilities. Procedure Compliance - Each employee must read, understand, and implement the general and specific operational, safety, quality and environmental requirements of all plans, procedures and policies pertaining to job. Compensation Details: $87,248.00 The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws. Benefits Overview: Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include: Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off and holidays Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching) Educational reimbursement Parental leave Employee stock purchase plan Tax-saving options Disability and life insurance Pet insurance Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits. Original Posting: 05/07/2026 - Until Filled Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs. Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.