Communication Specialist (Remote)

Communications Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Communications Specialist supports enterprise-scale communications and stakeholder engagement across CMS/CCSQ programs and Lines of Business (LOBs). Working under the direction of the Communications Lead, this role develops written, visual, and multimedia content; maintains knowledge repositories; manages distribution channels; and ensures all communications products comply with Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards. The Communications Specialist operates within a high-volume, fast-paced federal health IT environment, supporting both planned program communications and ad-hoc, time-sensitive needs for ISG leadership, program offices, and external stakeholders. 

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Communications Execution

• Develop and deliver operational and end-user communications including downtime notices, system upgrade announcements, release notifications, and change alerts for QualityNet Shared Services and LOB systems.

• Tailor communications to specific audiences across LOBs, teams, and initiatives using written, visual, and multimedia formats.

• Deliver communications through CMS-approved channels including email, Slack, and the QualityNet website.

• Coordinate with technical, program, and leadership teams to validate all content prior to release.

• Support enterprise communications planning, scheduling, and intake processes under the direction of the Communications Lead.

Training and Informational Materials

• Produce and distribute training and informational materials to support adoption of new tools, system enhancements, and process changes, including videos, graphics, user guides, and microlearning assets.

• Develop content aligned with CMS plain-language, branding, and accessibility standards as maintained in the Communications Toolkit in Confluence.

Knowledge Management and Distribution

• Maintain communications-related and supporting reference content in Confluence, the QualityNet website, and other knowledge repositories to provide guidance, reference materials, and training content for internal and public-facing use.

• Manage and maintain enterprise email listservs, distribution lists, and Slack channels to ensure accurate targeting, access control, and minimization of misdirected or unauthorized communications.

• Apply process improvements and automation (e.g., UiPath) to streamline the creation and management of listservs, distribution lists, and Slack channels.

• Submit content management requests through QualityNet ServiceNow as applicable.

Branding, Visual Communications, and Executive Materials

• Develop branding assets and visual materials, including logos, templates, and style elements, in alignment with CMS branding standards.

• Produce executive briefings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement materials for CCSQ leadership and program offices.

• Design graphics, infographics, and multimedia content using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva for Teams.

Accessibility and Standards Compliance

• Ensure all communications products, including end-user notifications, web content, surveys, training materials, and multimedia assets, comply with Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards prior to release.

• Apply universal design principles throughout content development to ensure materials are usable by individuals with disabilities.

Ad-Hoc Communications Support

• Provide timely communications development and distribution support for emerging, unplanned, or time-sensitive needs including executive briefings, governance materials, user notifications, and internal stakeholder engagement content.

• Support CCSQ leadership, CCSQ OD, and program offices with tailored communications outside planned schedules while maintaining alignment with enterprise standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Affairs, or related field.

• 3 years of experience in communications, technical writing, or stakeholder engagement, preferably in a federal IT or health IT environment.

• Experience developing communications materials including announcements, newsletters, presentations, and user-facing content.

• Familiarity with Section 508 and WCAG accessibility requirements for digital content.

• Agile certification(s) preferred (e.g., SAFe Agile, Scrum, or similar).

• Experience with collaboration tools such as Confluence, Jira, and Slack.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting CMS/CCSQ programs (e.g., PM3 II, QualityNet, iQIES, HQR, QPP, EQRS, CQP).

• Experience with QualityNet Mailer, QualityNet ServiceNow, or QualityNet website content management.

• Familiarity with UiPath or other RPA/automation platforms for workflow support.

• Experience supporting monthly town halls or large-scale stakeholder engagement events (e.g., QNet Chat).

• Knowledge of SAFe Agile framework and PI Planning communications support.

• Experience conducting annual pulse-check surveys and synthesizing results for program improvement.

Working Conditions & Clearance

• This position supports a federal government contract and may require completion of a Work is primarily remote; onsite presence at CMS facilities may be required for specific meetings or events.

• Must be able to support time-sensitive communications requests with quick turnaround and maintain quality under deadline pressure.

• All deliverables must comply with CMS data handling, security, and records management policies.

Goldman Edwards is a leader in the application of systems engineering across a wide array of large-scale system development and mission critical programs used by government and industry. We provide world-class talent, proven management, and technical processes to manage the most complex projects—from concept through deployment.