DCSA Senior Strategic Communications and Design Specialist

Forge Group, LLC•Quantico, VA

20d•$100,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Forge is seeking a full-time Senior Specialist / Strategic Communications and Design Specialist assigned to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) in support of the Acquisition and Technology (AT) Directorate - developing strategic communications content, facilitating design-thinking sessions, and producing live graphic recording and data visualization products for senior leadership. This position is contingent on award of contract and grant of funding.

Requirements

Ability to think strategically, act tactically, and display strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Build strong cross-group working relationships.
Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to thrive and succeed in an entrepreneurial environment and not be hindered by ambiguity or competing priorities.
A Bachelor's degree or higher in business, public administration, communications, management, or a related discipline; OR a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant policy, strategic planning, communications, or operational management experience.
Ten (10) or more years of professional experience is expected at the Senior level.
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining a strategic communications plan with defined KPIs.
Demonstrated ability to produce live graphic recording - hand-drawn posters and digital drawings - in real time during multi-hour and multi-day meetings.
Proficiency in graphic design, data visualization, and whiteboard video development.
Experience applying visual facilitation techniques and design thinking methods.
Portfolio of communications and visual products required at interview.
Superior time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
Competency in working autonomously.
Demonstrated competency in technical writing and business strategy.
Competency in Lean Six Sigma / SCRUM team leadership and/or DAWIA Program and Procurement Management, and in Project Management and/or Procurement methodologies.
Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and other applicable Federal regulations and Department of Defense policies.
Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently.
US Citizenship.
Academic degree requirements may be satisfied through additional relevant professional experience at a rate of four (4) years of experience for each degree level not attained.
US Citizen
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, proposals, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to question activities and issues in all functional areas and make sound business decisions based on that data.
Regularly required to sit, talk, type, or hear.
Frequently required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting DCSA, a DoD Agency, or an Intelligence Community customer.
Experience facilitating executive-level offsites, strategy sessions, or town halls.
Experience with Mural, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable visual collaboration and design tools.
Experience developing and maintaining agency branding guidelines and style guides.
Experience running employee engagement surveys and synthesizing focus group feedback.
Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher).

Responsibilities

Support content development for AT strategic communications and shall provide expert facilitation, visual facilitation, and analysis to enhance strategic planning and operational efficiency.
Draft and prepare messaging for various platforms, ensuring alignment with AT branding guidelines.
Deliverables may include newsletters (monthly/quarterly), executive memos, policy announcements, talking points, FAQs, briefing materials for senior leadership, infographics, fact sheets, and data visualizations.
Coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure technical accuracy and accessibility for diverse audiences.
Assist in managing and maintaining content on approved digital platforms, including websites, intranet, and collaboration tools, under government guidance.
Support a communications needs assessment within AT to identify internal and external audiences, key messages, and objectives.
Draft and maintain a comprehensive strategic communications plan aligned with DCSA/AT's mission, goals, and initiatives.
Define, track, and analyze KPIs to measure the performance and effectiveness of processes, projects, and the organization as a whole.
Recommend KPIs to measure communications effectiveness and prepare materials for stakeholder meetings.
Conduct periodic assessments, report results to DCSA management, and update the plan accordingly.
Support internal strategic communications initiatives by assisting in the design and coordination of activities aimed at improving employee engagement, such as internal town halls, Q&A sessions, and recognition programs.
Develop an internal communication calendar, create training materials or guides for collaboration tools, and prepare summaries of employee feedback collected through surveys or focus groups.
Coordinate with other DCSA components and external contractors to align messaging and ensure consistency.
Coordinate with AT management to support the development and delivery of a strategic communications strategy for the office, emphasizing DCSA's values of people and culture.
Report progress on all technical activities in the Activity Report.
Provide expert facilitation and analysis to enhance strategic planning and operational efficiency.
Apply visual facilitation techniques and design thinking methods to help government teams explore outcome-focused goals and strategies, including preparing prototypes, drafting new ideas, and recommending approaches for product delivery and maturation plans.
Facilitate strategic design, implementation strategies, and stakeholder engagement.
Produce graphic recording and digital recording - hand-drawn posters and digital drawings - in real time during multi-hour and multi-day meetings to artistically capture and summarize key discussion and decision points.
Provide graphic design, whiteboard video development, and data visualization to shape concepts into communication products.
Assist in the review and maintenance of organizational policies and procedures by providing analysis and recommendations to ensure they remain effective, efficient, and compliant with relevant regulations.
Support the development and implementation of frameworks and methodologies for prioritizing projects, initiatives, and tasks, ensuring resources are allocated to the most critical and impactful areas of DCSA business.
Hold and maintain an active DoD SECRET security clearance based on a favorably adjudicated T3 or T3R investigation. A Top-Secret clearance (T5/T5R) may be required for select positions.
Be granted approval to obtain a DCSA physical access badge and access to DCSA information systems.
Be available to attend multi-hour and multi-day meetings, onsite as required, to perform live graphic recording.
Complete all Government-mandated annual training, including Operational Security, Security Awareness, Subversion and Espionage, Ethics, and Prevention of Sexual Harassment.
Use Government or official company e-mail for all official US Government business. Personal, private, or commercial e-mail accounts shall NOT be used.
Comply with 32 CFR Part 117.12 (NISPOM) security training and briefing requirements.

Benefits

Complete Flextime
401k With Employer Matching
Healthcare, Including Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health Savings Account (HSA) And Pre-Tax Premium Options
Supplementary healthcare and family support
Extended Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
Healthcare Insurance Deductible Paydown
Health and Wellness Programs
Tuition Reimbursement, Student Loan Repayment, and Education & Training Stipends
Cell Phone / Internet Stipends
College Saving Plans with Employer Contributions
Alternative Work Locations and Tele-Commuting
Employee Referral Awards
Retention, Signing & Performance Bonuses
Commuter Benefits
Paid Sabbatical