Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Westat is seeking a Communications Specialist for a U.S. Department of Education funded Technical Assistance Center. We serve the state education agencies in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas to improve outcomes for all students by bringing together thought leaders, from a variety of backgrounds, who provide cutting-edge expertise to our clients. With a collaborative culture, and strategic and tactical skills, we are committed to our clients' success. 

We're looking for candidates who possess experience in communications, graphic design, website maintenance, social media, and secondary research. The R14CC would be the primary project this position would support. The successful candidate will have the option to work on other projects of interest as their career progresses at Westat. As your Westat career progresses, you will have the opportunity work on other projects.

This position will be critical in supporting the implementation of communication strategies across client-driven projects. You will contribute toward internal and public-facing deliverables used by teams that will be used and seen by the states we serve in addition to the U.S. Department of Education. This a great opportunity to understand how to communicate to audiences at federal, state, and local levels. 

Successful candidates will bring diverse perspectives and varied experiences (whether from school, life, or past jobs). We value curiosity, innovation, and systems-level thinking to create communications and projects that drive improved outcomes. We are passionate about inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competency in the work we do within our team and in services for our clients.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of communication strategies, materials, and content calendars for communication across multiple audiences and channels.
• Support the design and development of content for communications campaigns, newsletters, website articles, marketing collateral, and social media posts in collaboration with project teams, colleagues, and clients.
• Contribute to the design and development of resource documents for projects such as agendas, presentations, handouts, participant surveys, and summary reports.
• Provide research and administrative support for project, client, and technical assistance and communications needs.
• Participate in needs-sensing conversations with clients to understand user needs and translate those needs into draft design prototypes.
• Co-create design products and help translate technical findings and data to user-friendly, integrated designs in multiple formats, including long-form PDF reports, corporate and client websites, animations/videos, presentation decks, data visualizations, dashboards, infographics, as well as promotional materials and other dissemination products.
• Develop templates for different product types to ensure a cohesive suite of products for our internal teams and clients.
• Stay up to date (supported with Westat professional development funds) with industry standards, best practices, and software. Share these learnings with the team and clients when applicable.
• Assist with the logistics and facilitation of project meetings, included but not limited to scheduling, note-taking, prepping slide decks/handouts/resources, sharing of action items, ensure action items are followed up on before the start of the next meeting.
• You will work independently and collaboratively as part of a cross-functional team, meet deadlines, and proactively update teams on progress through project management software and email.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 2-5 years of relevant experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
• Background, experience, or relevant coursework in graphic design, video editing/production, visual media, marketing, advertising, public communications, and/or market research
• Proficiency in MS Office Applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interest in topics such as K-12 education, postsecondary education/training, rural education, educational equity, technical assistance/capacity-building services, and education research and/or program evaluation.
• Experience with content management in Drupal and/or WordPress websites; proficiency with Project Management Software (for example: Smartsheet, Trello or other similar platforms).
• Experience creating learning modules in Articulate Rise 360 with an interest in adult learning principals and instructional design.
• Experience using email marketing platforms, such as Constant Contact.
• Experience with hybrid, virtual, and in person meetings and events.
• Excellent communication skills, including experience facilitating meetings and communicating research findings to non-technical audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients.
• Organization skills, including time management ability.
• Detail oriented.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Eligible employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holiday Leave
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

 

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.