Photographer #504

United States Senate Sergeant at Arms; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 87,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Senate Sergeant at Arms seeks a seasoned Photographer for the Senate Photographic Services, Support Operations, in Washington, DC. You will create executive-level visual communications, covering official portraits, hearings, press conferences, and major events.

You will plan, coordinate, and execute photo assignments with independence, consult with stakeholders, and deliver high-quality imagery using photography, video, lighting, and editing skills.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Extensive photography and retouching skills with Photoshop and Adobe tools.
• Experience in official or formal portrait work and event coverage.

Responsibilities

• Plan, shoot and edit photographs for official portraits and major events.
• Create retouched images and composites for government portraits.
• Assess color, density, and contrast; apply color theory for best visuals.
• Operate video, audio, lighting, and photography equipment; coordinate subjects.

Skills

Photography

Photoshop

Adobe Suite

Photo Mechanic

Video editing

Color theory

Lighting

Interpersonal skills

Portrait photography

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Photoshop

Photo Mechanic

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Office

PC/Apple setup

Job description

Target Hiring Range

$87,000-$102,000

Department

Support Operations

Posting Date Range

8/25/2026-9/8/2026

Pay Grade Range

$74367-$130143

Work

Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Remote Work Status

Onsite

The Senate Sergeant at Arms does not pay for relocation expenses.

This vacancy announcement closes at 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

Job Description

JOB OVERVIEW

Join our dedicated team as a Photographer in the Senate Photographic Services branch within the Support Services department at the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, where you'll play a pivotal role in creating executive-level visual communication products.

Our team provides visual multimedia services directly to Senators and the broader Senate community. The multimedia team captures still and short-form video in complex situations to provide executive-level support in fluid scenarios. Responsible for the daily assigned appointment schedule to cover a wide variety of events, including official portraits, Senate committee hearings, press conferences, Presidential Inaugurations, States of the Union, visiting heads of state, private meetings, constituent gatherings, award presentations, as well as passport, landscape, and architectural content.

Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are required to give directions to individual subjects and groups for the best visual outcome possible. Uses experience, talent, and innovation to implement concepts for the desired results of clients by consulting and collaborating with stakeholders. The position requires considerable independence and initiative in planning, coordinating, and implementing photo assignments and projects.

The individual in this position supports official photography, hearings, dignitary visits, private meetings, and other major institutional events. They will also be called upon to support short-form videos including interviews, event highlights, b-roll, stand-ups, public-facing messages, and other multimedia products.

The position requires strong technical, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to operate video, audio, lighting, and photography equipment while communicating clearly and respectfully with subjects and staff.

Key Accountabilities/Essential Job Duties

Plans, shoots and edits photographs for a variety of projects. Creates retouched images and intricate composites in Photoshop, suitable for official portraits of government officials. Conceptualizes and develops visual assets that align with SAA. Assesses color, density, and contrast in photographic images by applying principles of color theory to enhance visual appeal. Employs skilled batch imagery processing and metadata ingesting techniques. Maintains and cleans equipment, ensuring optimal functionality. Other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Education

High School Diploma/ GED.

Other Duties/ Responsibilities

• Records and edits video to produce short-form video products.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and customers.
• Effectively communicates with a diverse group of subjects and provides clear direction in a respectful manner.

Required Work Experience

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience working as a professional photographer.

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

• As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of photographic principles including the framing and practices of photographic shoots.
• Skill in accurately assessing color, density, and contrast in photographic images with acute attention to detail.
• Knowledge of AP style caption writing.
• Skilled in batch imagery processing and metadata ingesting.
• Demonstrated skill with the Adobe suite and Photoshop, Photo Mechanic, and the Microsoft Office suite, on PC and Apple platforms.
• Communication and collaboration skills.
• Critical evaluation.

Desired Qualifications

• Captures, edits, and plans photography and short-form videos for a variety of projects.
• Produces engaging and relevant visual products that document meaningful, high-visibility, and often historic moments with skill, accuracy, discretion, and deadline discipline.
• Creates retouched images and intricate composites in Photoshop, suitable for official portraits of government officials.
• Adheres to Senate Photo Services' quality, style, and technical standards.
• Conceptualizes and develops visual assets that align with SAA in a collaborative team environment.
• Assesses color, density, and contrast by applying principles of color theory to enhance visual appeal.
• Employs skilled batch imagery processing and metadata ingesting techniques for accuracy.

Working Conditions

• Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S. Senate when in session, this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during a lapse, in inclement weather, on holidays, and during late night, overnight, and weekend sessions. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.
• This position directly supports essential services of the U.S. Senate. As such, this position requires the employee be available and prepared to work during a lapse, in inclement weather, on holidays, weekends, and during late nights to ensure essential services to the Senate continue without interruption. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.
• Moderate (carrying of items less than 50 pounds); work requires employee to be outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Work requires frequent physical effort walking, bending, crawling, and standing for long durations; working on ladders, scaffolding, or stages.
• Working in confined spaces (bending and crawling).
• Schedule fluctuates and the employee is expected to work early mornings, late evenings and weekends, with little to no notice.
• Some traveling may be required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Be a U.S. citizen;
• Be lawfully admitted for permanent residence and seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C.
• 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• Be (i) admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1157 or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158 and (ii) have filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
• Owe allegiance to the U.S. (i.e., qualify as a non-citizen U.S. national under federal law).

Employment is contingent on background / security investigation results.

Benefits At-a-glance

The SAA provides a highly competitive benefits package for all SAA staff. Our benefits extend beyond health care coverage to help provide employees with student loan reimbursement, professional development, transportation subsidy, TSP/retirement savings, access to our Employee Assistance Program, and more! For more information regarding SAA's benefits, please visit https://sen.gov/OPPW .

ACCOMMODATIONS

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the SAA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAA and need special assistance or an accommodation to complete the application process, please submit your request to [e-mail] with "Accommodation" in the subject line.

VOLUNTARY SELF-IDENTIFICATION FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

If you are identifying as veterans' preference eligible under the VEOA, please use this link to complete your application for Veterans' Preference AFTER you apply for this position. The link will also be available on the 'Thank You' page after you have submitted your job application.

Candidates only need to apply one time for veterans' preference to be considered for all future veterans' preference positions within the Senate Sergeant at Arms.

• All supporting documents must ONLY be provided within the Veterans' Preference Application and within the stated deadline of the job announcement.
• Late applications for veterans' preference will not be considered.
• Documentation to obtain veterans' preference will not be considered if attached to the job application.
• If you need to revise or resubmit your Application for Veterans' Preference/documents, please withdraw your previous Application for Veterans' Preference and resubmit. If you require assistance, please email [e-mail] .
• To view additional information regarding the VEOA, please click here .

An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran's status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the individual may be ruled ineligible for veterans' preference.