Senior Communications Specialist

Program Overview:

At Noblis and Noblis ESI, we have excellent teams of smart, collaborative, proactive experts and professionals. We are actively seeking to identify personnel to join our team of talented professionals who possess the experience, vision, commitment, and integrity to successfully support the strategic goals of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). Technology and threats evolve rapidly in today’s ever-changing environment. In response, DHS S&T was established by Congress to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions to the nation's homeland security challenges. These technological solutions are then able to be used by stakeholders and agencies in the Homeland Security Enterprise, such as: the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the US Coast Guard (USCG), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), First Responders, the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Secret Service (USSS), and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Role Description:

The Communications Specialist will support the Office of University Programs (OUP) within the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T). OUP taps the expertise of the nation’s colleges and universities to tackle tough homeland security challenges through three programs: Centers of Excellence (university-led research consortia focused on emerging science and technology), Workforce and Professional Development Initiatives, and Minority Serving Institutions Programs.

Communication regarding these efforts externally and internally within DHS is of critical importance, from congressional justifications and hearings, to social media, blog posts and websites, to the development and execution of strategic communication plans. This dynamic position requires someone who can think strategically, make connections with internal and external stakeholders, write compelling material, and create dynamic artifacts in a variety of media. The position works particularly closely with the senior leadership team to shape strategic messaging/themes across OUP’s disparate efforts and to promote OUP’s modern/clean branding and visual style. The Communications Specialist works with Communications Directors from each of the COEs and participates in the communications community of practice within S&T.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a communications liaison to S&T’s Communication and Outreach Division.
• Developing communication strategies, plans, and outreach.
• Identifying and drafting internal and external messaging documents, articles, etc.
• Coordinating publication of documents with the respective program offices, maintaining records of cleared documents and those in progress.
• Originating new or refining draft briefings, posters, newsletters, websites, factsheets, user manuals, training materials, installation guides, white papers, and other communications devices in accordance with prevailing DHS polices, templates, and guidance.
• Supporting content management on social media networks and platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
• Making content updates to SharePoint/intranet.
• Selecting photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material. Developing routine graphics and editing more complex graphics.
• Organizing material and writing descriptive copy according to establish standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology
• Reviewing documents for grammar and punctuation, and consistency with the organization’s style and format – OUP’s Brand and Feel.
• Performing analyses to identify current and future potential communication channels; identify target audiences; define internal and external perceptions; and identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in those areas.
• Developing a strategic roadmap for communicating and leveraging agency assets to inform stakeholders how S&T conducts business
• Deploying tactics to engage and openly exchange of information with key individuals and organizations across the stakeholder spectrum.
• Conducting outreach and providing responses that promote continued communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Assessing, developing, and implementing methods to improve current communications tools internally.
• Assisting in the development of event websites and online registration forms.
• Identifying and recommending potential metrics to track in order to demonstrate program trends and status.
• Maintaining organized and logical files for all necessary program documentation, including electronic and hard copy.
• Providing technical writing support and deciphering directions provided on scripted storyboards, specifications, etc.
• Translating technical information into clear, readable documents to be used by technical and non-technical personnel. 

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REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• BA/BS and 10+ years of relevant experience or MA/MS and 5+ years of relevant experience
• SECRET clearance, or eligibility to receive a SECRET clearance.
• Eligibility to obtain DHS Suitability.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• SECRET Clearance. 
• DHS Suitability.
• Demonstrated strong technical writing skills, targeting both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience writing concise and clear copy according to established standards.
• Experience providing direct or consultant support to major programs or offices which require varying types of strategic and tactical communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships.
• Strong project management skills.
• Experience and proficiency working with MS Office (Word, Project, Excel and PowerPoint) and collaboration sites (MS SharePoint).
• Possess expertise in standard graphic tools such as Adobe Photoshop and other specialty tools within the area of expertise.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as organizational skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects which includes prioritizing, tracking, attention to detail, follow-up and follow-through to project completion.
• Flexibility/Adaptability to work in a fast-paced environment as well as creativity to propose upgrades/new ideas to enhance communication products.
• Experience providing consistent and clear communication with program managers and leadership.
• Experience supporting DoD and/or DHS components (e.g., TSA, CBP, FPS, NPPD, DNDO/CWMD, USCG, ICE).
• Experience developing communications materials for publication, internet, strategic initiatives, user manuals, training materials, installation guides, functional system descriptions, special reports, white papers, reports, etc.
• Experience creating and managing content on networks and web platforms (e.g. social media).
• Experience in designing, implementing, and managing/executing strategic communication plans, initiatives, and campaigns.
• Knowledge and experience with print and electronic media campaigns.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and management.
• Experience providing web publishing support including creating/updating web publishing Standard Operating Procedures, preferably for DHS.
• Candidates with a Secret clearance and DHS Suitability are strongly preferred.

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At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Salary at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, and clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is provided within the posting and are based on full time status. Part time staff receive a prorated salary based on regularly scheduled hours. The estimated minimum and maximum displayed represents the broadest range for this position (inclusive of high geographic and high clearance requirements), and is just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package for employees.

With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Noblis seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Noblis.  Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI, and Noblis MSD tackle the nation's toughest problems and apply advanced solutions to our clients' most critical missions. We bring the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise together in an environment of independence and objectivity to deliver enduring impact on federal missions. Noblis works with a wide range of government clients in the defense, intelligence and federal civil sectors. Learn more at Noblis -About Us

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