Communications Specialist - Senior Associate

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic communications plans and messaging to support the release of cybersecurity products, guidance, alerts, advisories, reports, tools, and other public-facing materials.
• Craft targeted external messaging for a range of CISA stakeholders, including government partners, critical infrastructure owners and operators, industry, cybersecurity practitioners, media, and the public.
• Write, edit, and coordinate communications products across multiple channels, including social media posts, press releases, stakeholder emails, web content, email alert notifications, talking points, briefing materials, and message maps.
• Translate complex cybersecurity information into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate language that supports stakeholder awareness, understanding, and action.
• Partner with technical subject matter experts, product owners, program leads, external affairs staff, external stakeholders (e.g., U5, interagency), and other communications partners to shape product release strategies. Additionally, work across CSD to connect dots and fill information gaps to optimize customer service, stakeholder relationships, and information sharing.
• Create and manage Microsoft Teams chats and coordination channels for product and messaging alignment across the division, External Affairs, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to support a cohesive communications approach and ensure teams are prepared for release-day rollout.
• Develop and maintain key messages, stakeholder-specific talking points, and communications materials that align with CISA priorities and external affairs objectives.
• Recommend the most effective communications channels, timing, and tactics to reach intended audiences and amplify product visibility.
• Support integrated communications campaigns that connect cybersecurity product releases to broader agency initiatives, priorities, and public messaging.
• Coordinate with social media, web, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and internal communications teams to ensure consistent messaging across platforms.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain DHS Suitability (EOD).
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field.
• Six or more years of experience in communications, public affairs, public relations, media relations, external affairs, or strategic communications.
• Experience developing external messaging for public-facing campaigns, announcements, releases, or stakeholder communications.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and message development skills.
• Ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, concise, audience-focused communications.
• Experience coordinating communications products through review and approval processes.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, stakeholders, and communications channels in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate multiple communications products for different teams or initiatives at the same time.

Preferred

• Experience supporting cybersecurity, technology, national security, homeland security, critical infrastructure, or science-based communications.
• Experience developing communications for federal government agencies or public-sector clients.
• Familiarity with CISA’s cybersecurity mission, stakeholder audiences, and public-facing communications channels.
• Experience supporting product release communications, awareness campaigns, or integrated external affairs strategies.
• Experience working with technical subject matter experts to clarify complex concepts and develop accurate public-facing messaging.