Communications Specialist, Senior

Job Title: Communications Specialist, Senior

Department: Operations - Services

Reports To: RavenTek Program Manager

Location: Washington, DC with flexibility for telework (must live within driving distance)

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Hours: Full-time, 40-hours/week

FLSA Status: Exempt

Clearance: Secret

Position Summary

The senior level communications specialist supports the mission of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Management (M Bureau) by providing administrative, analytical, and technical support to USAID, M Bureau, and select Operating Units (OU). The performance of this position is key to RavenTek's performance on the USAID ISC contract, and therefore RavenTek's mission to support USAID.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• May develop and execute crisis, short- and medium-term strategies for Agency engagement with US and relevant foreign media, in coordination with communication teams and advisors in other USAID B/Ios.
• Develop and coordinate execution of social media strategy for Agency activities, including managing creation of informative and creative content.
• Develop media engagement and content development calendar, considering the current and anticipated activities of Agency activity, including overseeing planning for key milestones and announcements.
• Oversee the development of key messages, talking points for principal USAID officials, and op/ed pieces.
• Coordinate with relevant USAID missions on Agency activity and messaging, support USAID officials with relevant interagency communications discussions.
• Support other communications activities, as assigned.
• Maintain timely and accurate records and status of tasks.
• Enter actual time worked, once complete, at the end of the day, or no later than 10:00 a.m. the following workday, and submit timesheets at the end of each pay period.
• Submit MSRs (Monthly Status Report) as required by RavenTek Program Manager.
• Monitor RavenTek email on a regular basis, at least 3 times per week, and respond accordingly.
• Complete required compliance training as assigned by RavenTek.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Critical Skills

• Proven proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proven proficiency in the use of Google Suite, including Google Sheets, Docs, and slides.
• Proven proficiency in the use of the internet, email applications, and database applications.
• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately handle sensitive and extensive confidential information.
• Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques; analytical methods.
• Master level interpersonal relationship practices to develop policies, present and/or explain significant issues to generally responsive groups or individuals interested in the agency's programs.
• Ability to communicate with all levels across the Agency to inform customers and coworkers of issues for resolution.
• Expert writing skills to clearly present decision points for leadership, prepare formal responses to requests for information, and provide advice, information, and guidance to functional personnel in a thorough and professional manner.

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a similar field required.
• Graduate degree in communications or public relations preferred.
• Minimum 10 years' relevant experience required.
• 3 years of project management experience; including experience delegating tasks to peers and colleagues required.
• 3-5 years of experience developing graphic design and visual content for print and online communications products required.
• 2+ years of experience launching and/or maintaining vivid content for social media channels, such as LinkedIn and X newsletters and / or blog posts preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in international development or international affairs preferred.
• Webpage maintenance experience, particularly Drupal preferred.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, and editing responses to congressional inquiries and questions from hearings and briefings and congressional reports preferred.

Certifications, Licenses

• None

Special Requirements

• Secret level security clearance required.

Work Environment

When working on-site, employees will be working indoors in an office environment with other people. Potential moderate temperature fluctuations. Typical indoor and computer related noise level, and typical office, paper, and equipment related dust. Exposure to video display terminals occurs regularly.

Physical Demands

Employees need to be able to sit at a workstation for extended periods; use hand(s) to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; see, talk, and hear. Most positions require the ability to work on a desktop or laptop computer for extended periods of time reading, reviewing/analyzing information, and providing recommendations, summaries and/or reports in written format. Employees may be required to occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Regular and predictable attendance is essential.

ADA: RavenTek will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO/AA: RavenTek does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services and is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.