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Communications Specialist

National Science Foundation (NSF) National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO)

Alexandria, VA | Onsite | Full-Time

About Us:

Totally Joined for Achieving Collaborative Techniques (TJFACT) is a minority-owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) delivering mission-focused professional services and technology solutions to the U.S. Government. Our teams support critical federal missions through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence while building lasting partnerships with our customers, employees, and industry partners.

About This Position:

TJFACT is seeking to hire an experienced and well-versed Communications Specialist to join our NNCO (National Nanotechnology Coordination Office) team in the Washington, DC area.

This task is of critical importance for the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) as central point of contact for and public face of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The level of effort to support other initiatives will be determined by National Coordination Office (NCO) Director. This task includes communication internal to the Federal community, as well as communication with various external stakeholder groups and the broader public. Aspects of this task, as detailed below, require traditional communications and social media expertise, while other aspects require detailed scientific understanding of the subject matter. It is expected that the contactor will collaborate closely with other staff members.

Key Responsibilities:

Please note the totality of duties include but are not limited to the following.

• Must be able to provide the following duties to support the NNCO:
  • Enhancing communications among the agencies concerning their Research and Development (R&D) programs and between these agencies
  • Generating greater awareness of scientific advancements and applications resulting from U.S. government R&D through public engagement
  • Assembling preparatory material for the Director for testimonies before Congress when required
  • Maintaining lists of appropriate contacts and engagement with the press, professional and technical societies, participating agency communications offices, and other relevant organizations
  • Assembling preparatory material for the Director and representatives from the agencies for presentations and interviews with the press and media
  • Preparing and maintaining briefing books in areas of priorities
• Manage social media presence with guidance from the Director, and contribute, proofread, and copyedit content for website.
• Compile, distill, and distribute weekly summaries of developments in the news for Federal representatives.
• Propose topics, collect information, draft content, and edit the quarterly newsletters.
• Draft informal updates for the Federal community.
• Propose communications strategies to support the goals and objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan and to share targeted messages, information, and resources with members of the research community, industry, students, teachers, members of the press, Congress, the public, the international community, as well as leadership of the participating agencies. Efforts include message development, media relations, press relations, researching and drafting press releases and other announcements, and maintaining media databases. The communications strategy will be updated annually and submitted to Director for approval.
• May be asked to arrange media requests and placement of interviews with the Director, and members of the Subcommittee(s). In planning for such interviews, the contractor shall prepare talking points and briefings for those to be interviewed.
• Responsibilities shall include monitoring media, working with the Director to respond to media inquiries
• Responsible for working with and coordinating with the Director and participating agency representatives to position them to serve as media resources for science writers, trade press, influential social media content creators, and mainstream journalists, as well as producers and editors.
• Assist the Director in preparing for interviews, including research and tailoring of the interview to the story angle, the media outlet, and reporter.
• Respond to public inquiries on various nanotechnology-related and other related matters with materials and information available at the NNCO, or the participating agencies.
• Must be or become thoroughly aware of information and resources available at the NNCO, or from participating agencies.
• Assist the Director in designing, planning, and implementing strategies for enhancing communications internal and external to the agencies. With respect to internal communications, the contractor shall establish and maintain effective communication and collaboration channels between the NNCO and NNI agency public affairs and media officers.
• Support the Director in preparation for sharing knowledge and information about programs, progress, and resources at NNI agencies with draft PowerPoint slides, supporting data and text, and other materials as requested.
• Work with the NNI agencies, the Director, and appropriate other contractor support staff to produce new content on a regular basis for these diverse stakeholders. With input from the Director, the contractor shall development and execute a schedule for regularly reviewing and updating existing content on Nano.gov, with particular emphasis on high-profile pages. The contactor is expected to collaborate closely with the IT specialist as necessary to address technical issues related to Nano.gov.
• Manage the NNCO’s social media presence. The contractor shall develop and share informative and engaging content, including targeted campaigns and/or posts in conjunction with broader celebrations (e.g. National Nano Day, etc.). The contractor shall track statistics for website visits and social media engagement, including followers and engagement, and use these metrics to inform communications strategies.
• Monitor nanotechnology developments - including through personal communications and observations, and surveillance of technical publications, press releases, and news stories - and share this knowledge with NCO leadership and the broader NNCO staff.
• Work with the Director and other contractor support staff (e.g., scientists, graphics designers, multimedia editor, and/or IT specialists) to create, edit, and distribute nanotechnology highlights through a variety of media and venues, including social media, Nano.gov, newsletters, podcasts, infographics, videos, etc.
• Serve as the NNCO point of contact for the annual National Nanotechnology Day celebration. The contractor shall publicize the National Nanotechnology Day, share ideas for activities, and collect information on how organizations and individuals across the country celebrate.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen.
• Bachelor’s degree and significant experience in communications or public affairs at the professional level.
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and time-management skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Creative writing and content development experience preferred, with demonstrated ability to develop compelling, audience-focused messaging across digital, social media, and traditional communications channels.
• Extensive knowledge of office hardware and software used for communications and social media.
• Knowledge of the vocabulary of nanotechnology and/or other scientific areas of the U.S. Government.
• Technical knowledge or experience in nanotechnology or in a related scientific, engineering, or technological discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and on collaborative teams.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

TJFACT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We reserve the right to modify or revise job descriptions, in whole or in part. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law.