Job Description:

This position supports the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) pilot program, managed by the Acquisition Policy and Innovation (API) office under Defense Pricing and Contracting (DPC), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S).

DCTC is an “ROTC-like” program to recruit and prepare undergraduate students for DoD civilian careers. The pilot program targets critical skills gaps by preparing students for Department of Defense (DoD) careers relating to the acquisition, digital technologies, critical technologies, science, engineering, finance, and other civilian occupations.

The DCTC Strategic Communications Specialist will lead coordination, implementation, and management of DCTC communication efforts. This project must keep pace with leadership priorities and ensure proper senior leader coordination and engagement across OSD, the Military Departments, and others.

Duties and expectations include:

• Shape communication strategies and approaches for engaging DoD stakeholders and leadership.
• Prepare API briefings in a way that promotes consistent messaging to A&S leadership.
• Prepare materials needed by API leadership for conferences and speaking engagements, including graphics, slide decks, and talking points.
• Draft the weekly activity report (WAR), a weekly update that highlights program accomplishments for A&S leadership.
• Aid in the development of strategic communications, DCTC branding, and internal/external outreach materials.
• Coordinate strategic leadership engagements and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder inventory.
• Maintain the official DCTC website to ensure information is accurate and up to date. Create and maintain DCTC graphics as needed.
• Respond to external inquiries received to the official DCTC email box.
• Support planning, coordination, and logistics for the annual DCTC scholar research review in July (Washington, DC).
• Identify opportunities to increase DCTC visibility, both within the Department and externally.
• Continuously review DCTC briefings and marketing materials for inaccuracies, out-of-date information, and opportunities to refine messaging.
• Maintain awareness of laws, regulations, and policies, including DCTC Congressionally mandated reports and senior leadership (USD(A&S)) updates.
• Assist with additional or ad hoc strategic efforts as needed.

Experience Requirements:

Mandatory:

• 4-10 years related experience supporting the DoD, Uniformed Services, or Fourth Estate (Defense Agencies, Field Activities, etc.).
• Experience interacting on-site with federal government clients and senior leadership. Ability to effectively interface with senior DoD SES staff, academia, and industry in meetings, workshops, and forums.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Project, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in Adobe suite or other design tools.
• Attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience supporting OSD(A&S), OSD Research and Engineering (R&E), or OSD Personnel and Readiness (P&R).
• Experience with ROTC at an accredited college or university is a plus.

Certification Requirements:N/A

Education Requirements:

Mandatory: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Business, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.

Waivable/Substitutable: Additional equivalent work experience may be substituted for the degree requirement, including experience managing projects.

Work Type:

Hybrid (NCR, Mark Center/Pentagon)

Clearance Requirements:

Secret Clearance Required