DescriptionCommunications SpecialistHighPoint professionals focus on helping government agencies and companies implement their most critically strategic initiatives. The role of Communications Specialist contributes to HighPoint by serving as a strategic communications partner responsible for developing and delivering clear, accessible, and impactful communications that promote DCDDP programs, initiatives, and outcomes.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:- Lead the development, revision, launch, and closeout of Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), including funding announcements, forecasts, synopses, and supporting documentation.
- Develop briefing materials, memoranda, and decision-support resources to assist leadership throughout the grants competition lifecycle.
- Coordinate applicant support activities, including public inquiry responses, eligibility reviews, application guidance, and maintenance of applicant and grant databases.
- Manage and support peer review processes, including reviewer recruitment, training, panel management, technical reviews, risk assessments, funding recommendations, and quality assurance of review documentation.
- Design and implement outreach strategies to increase awareness of funding opportunities and expand participation among underserved communities, including rural, Tribal, Indigenous, and economically distressed populations.
- Create educational resources, webinars, videos, and guidance materials to support prospective applicants and grant recipients.
- Develop and execute communication and marketing strategies that promote DCDDP programs, funding opportunities, recipient achievements, and organizational initiatives.
- Produce a variety of communications products, including press releases, congressional reports, white papers, case studies, website content, social media materials, stakeholder outreach packets, presentations, and briefing materials.
- Develop and maintain public-facing communication tools, including dashboards, story maps, and other digital resources that highlight program impact and outcomes.
- Ensure all communications and digital products comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements, VPAT standards, and federal editorial and communications guidelines.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:- Strong knowledge of federal grants management, NOFO development, discretionary grant competitions, peer review processes, and applicant eligibility requirements.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and technical communication skills with experience developing policy documents, funding announcements, reports, and executive-level communications.
- Experience managing stakeholder engagement, outreach initiatives, and communications campaigns across diverse audiences.
- Ability to develop training materials, webinars, educational resources, and technical assistance tools to support applicants and program participants.
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate grant applications, assess risks, synthesize information, and provide data-driven recommendations.
- Proficiency in content development, digital communications, website management, social media, and marketing best practices.
- Knowledge of accessibility requirements, including Section 508 compliance, VPAT standards, and federal editorial guidelines.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, federal staff, reviewers, grant recipients, and external stakeholders.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality, compliance, accuracy, and continuous process improvement.
EDUCATION AND YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:- Bachelors degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience.
- Travel possible up to 10-20%.
A reasonable estimate of the current range is $101-$111,000 
