Position Summary
The Communications Specialists convert policy, analysis, pilot experience, and technical assistance into clear, engaging, accessible resources for distinct audiences. The team combines strategic communications, editorial management, graphic design, data visualization, multimedia production, digital publishing, outreach, and dissemination analytics. These responsibilities absorb the former standalone Graphic Illustrator role and provide the surge capacity needed for the SOW's product volume.
Core Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the communications and dissemination strategy, audience profiles, message framework, editorial calendar, campaign plans, channel plans, and approval workflows.
- Write, edit, and produce briefs, reports, toolkits, practitioner tools, training materials, newsletters, web content, talking points, event materials, and stakeholder communications.
- Design publication layouts, templates, infographics, data visualizations, social media graphics, presentation assets, icons, and other visual resources aligned with project and Government branding.
- Plan and produce approved podcasts, videos, webinars, transcripts, captions, audio descriptions, clips, and related multimedia products.
- Translate technical content into plain language for federal policymakers, State and Tribal TANF leaders, means-tested program partners, frontline staff, HMRF grantees, community partners, and families.
- Manage production schedules and version control for the portfolio of up to 40 Internet-ready products and coordinate technical, editorial, design, accessibility, and COR reviews.
- Apply Section 508 requirements, including logical reading order, tagged headings and tables, alternative text, color contrast, captions, transcripts, descriptive links, and accessible source files.
- Support outreach for pilot recruitment, TTA opportunities, peer learning, product launches, events, and resource sharing through approved digital and partner channels.
- Track reach, downloads, views, engagement, completion, accessibility status, user feedback, reported use, and refresh needs and recommend improvements based on performance data.
Required Qualifications
- At least five years of relevant experience in strategic communications, technical writing and editing, graphic design, digital content, multimedia, public affairs, or marketing for government or mission-driven organizations.
- A combined team skill set covering editorial development, visual design, data visualization, digital publishing, multimedia production, and communications analytics.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex policy, research, and program information into accurate, respectful, audience-appropriate content without stigma.
- Working knowledge of plain-language, Section 508, accessible-document, captioning, transcript, alternative-text, color-contrast, and accessible multimedia requirements.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and appropriate design, web, video, audio, email, social media, or analytics tools required for assigned products.
- Strong project organization, version control, reviewer coordination, deadline management, and ability to support simultaneous production cycles.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with HHS, ACF, OFA, TANF, HMRF, human services, public benefits, family-strengthening, or federal TTA communications.
- Portfolio demonstrating federal publications, infographics, toolkits, training materials, dashboards, podcasts, videos, or social campaigns.
- Section 508, accessibility, graphic-design, digital-marketing, public-relations, or multimedia credentials.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, graphic design, visual communication, digital media, or a related field preferred. Equivalent professional experience and a strong portfolio will be considered.