Communications Specialist

Akoya; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

401(k) & profit sharing

Holidays & PTO

And more

Job summary

Akoya, a woman-owned small business, is seeking an emerging Communications Specialist to support a senior leader at the U.S. Department of Energy.

The role offers exposure to government communications strategy, cross-office coordination, and a fast-moving, high-visibility setting. You will shadow a senior consultant, manage deadlines, and help prepare emails, newsletters, and coordination documents while liaising across offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field with required years of experience.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a federal security clearance (public trust).
• Excellent written and verbal English communication; meticulous and detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Shadow the senior communications consultant in meetings and contribute where directed.
• Track and manage assignments, action items, and deadlines for the senior consultant.
• Maintain status tracking spreadsheets for communications products and keep multiple offices coordinated.
• Support a variety of communications products, including drafts, briefings, and coordination documents.
• Draft and review emails, newsletters, social media, and other content for approvals.
• Serve as liaison across multiple offices within the DOE portfolio.
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities and manage competing tasks.

Skills

Written communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Communications Specialist

FullTime Professional Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $72,000.00 To $82,000.00 Annually

About Akoya

We're a woman-owned small business that delivers big results in strategic communications. For 25 years, Akoya has thrived in the government consulting landscape helping agencies launch new programs, leverage internal and external support, and drive their missions forward. Our strategic approach to communications increases the quality of services and makes Akoya a comfortable home for motivated communications professionals who value and rely on the idea-sharing and collaboration inherent in our corporate culture.

Communications Specialist

This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging communications professional to grow rapidly alongside a senior communications and stakeholder engagement expert supporting a senior leader at the U.S. Department of Energy. The right candidate will gain broad exposure to the full spectrum of government communications work — from frontline communications strategy and product advancement to cross-office coordination — all in a fast-moving, high-visibility environment.

The Communications Specialist supporting theDepartment of Energy will be responsible for:

• Shadowing the senior communications consultant in meetings, absorbing best practices and contributing where directed
• Tracking and managing assignments, action items, and deadlines on behalf of the senior consultant
• Maintaining and proactively updating status tracking spreadsheets for communications products and more with precision and consistency, to keep the efforts of multiple offices moving forward
• Supporting a wide variety of communications products, including written materials, briefings, and coordination documents
• Drafting and helping to review and coordinate emails, newsletter content, social media, and other communications products for higher-level approvals and distribution
• Serving as a liaison and point of contact across multiple offices under the DOE leader’s portfolio
• Adapting quickly to shifting priorities and managing competing tasks in a dynamic environment

Why this role?

• You’ll work at the intersection of communications and policy at one of the federal government’s most active agencies. With exposure to multiple offices and a wide range of products, this role offers rare breadth for a communications professional early in their career. You'll have a front-row seat to how senior-level government communications operates and a mentor invested in your development

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience. Alternatively, must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field and 3 years of experience
• Must be based in the Eastern time zone. Location in Washington, DC-area a plus
• U.S. citizenship is required with verbal and written fluency in English
• Must be able to receive and maintain a federal security clearance (public trust level)
• Prior exposure to communications, public affairs, or a related field (government or adjacent experience a plus)
• Exceptional attention to detail — accuracy in tracking, writing, and adherence to existing processes is non-negotiable
• Resilience and composure; the ability to work effectively on the fly when priorities and deadlines shift
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clean, professional content and correspondence for internal and external audiences
• Organizational skills and a proactive, team-centered mindset; the ability to anticipate needs before they arise
• Eagerness to learn, grow, and take on increasing responsibility over time

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with government policy a plus

Base Compensation

• Base compensation: $72,000 to $82,000 annually. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as location, education, years of experience, and candidate skillset.

Employee Benefits

Akoya provides generous benefits for its full-time employees including:

• Medical,dental,andvisioninsurance
• 401(k) and profit sharing
• Elevenfederalholidaysandpaidtimeoff
• And more!

Akoya is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment that has a positive effect on the hiring, retention, and ongoing support of all employees. Akoya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, affords equal opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, age, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.