Communications Specialist

HighPoint•Washington, DC

20d•$101,000 - $111,000

About The Position

HighPoint professionals focus on helping government agencies and companies implement their most critically strategic initiatives. The role of Communications Specialist contributes to HighPoint by serving as a strategic communications partner responsible for developing and delivering clear, accessible, and impactful communications that promote DCDDP programs, initiatives, and outcomes.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of federal grants management, NOFO development, discretionary grant competitions, peer review processes, and applicant eligibility requirements.
Exceptional written, verbal, and technical communication skills with experience developing policy documents, funding announcements, reports, and executive-level communications.
Experience managing stakeholder engagement, outreach initiatives, and communications campaigns across diverse audiences.
Ability to develop training materials, webinars, educational resources, and technical assistance tools to support applicants and program participants.
Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate grant applications, assess risks, synthesize information, and provide data-driven recommendations.
Proficiency in content development, digital communications, website management, social media, and marketing best practices.
Knowledge of accessibility requirements, including Section 508 compliance, VPAT standards, and federal editorial guidelines.
Excellent project management, organizational, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, federal staff, reviewers, grant recipients, and external stakeholders.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality, compliance, accuracy, and continuous process improvement.
Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field.
7+ years of experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, revision, launch, and closeout of Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), including funding announcements, forecasts, synopses, and supporting documentation.
Develop briefing materials, memoranda, and decision-support resources to assist leadership throughout the grants competition lifecycle.
Coordinate applicant support activities, including public inquiry responses, eligibility reviews, application guidance, and maintenance of applicant and grant databases.
Manage and support peer review processes, including reviewer recruitment, training, panel management, technical reviews, risk assessments, funding recommendations, and quality assurance of review documentation.
Design and implement outreach strategies to increase awareness of funding opportunities and expand participation among underserved communities, including rural, Tribal, Indigenous, and economically distressed populations.
Create educational resources, webinars, videos, and guidance materials to support prospective applicants and grant recipients.
Develop and execute communication and marketing strategies that promote DCDDP programs, funding opportunities, recipient achievements, and organizational initiatives.
Produce a variety of communications products, including press releases, congressional reports, white papers, case studies, website content, social media materials, stakeholder outreach packets, presentations, and briefing materials.
Develop and maintain public-facing communication tools, including dashboards, story maps, and other digital resources that highlight program impact and outcomes.
Ensure all communications and digital products comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements, VPAT standards, and federal editorial and communications guidelines.