About Akoya

We’re a woman-owned small business that delivers big results in strategic communications. For 25 years, Akoya has thrived in the government consulting landscape helping agencies launch new programs, leverage internal and external support, and drive their missions forward. Our strategic approach to communications increases the quality of services and makes Akoya a comfortable home for motivated communications professionals who value and rely on the idea-sharing and collaboration inherent in our corporate culture.

• Research, draft, and edit web content, fact sheets, reports, studies, briefing memos, presentations, and responses to public inquiries on behalf of the client.
• Write and edit news releases, functional descriptions, guidance documents, special reports, technical publications, and materials supporting technology transfer.
• Translate complex technical and policy content into clear, plain-language writing tailored to specific audiences.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and program offices to gather information and ensure messaging is accurate, timely, and strategically aligned.
• Draft speeches, talking points, testimonies, and presentations for individuals in leadership positions.
• Serve as a content editor for reports, web articles, and press releases, ensuring consistency in voice, style, and quality.
• Prepare summaries of conference, exhibit, and workshop activities for internal and external distribution.
• Support publication development across multiple contributors, including content structure for websites and print and online publications.
• Meet regularly with client management to discern needs and deliver products on quick turnaround with a limited number of revisions.
• Apply federal editorial standards, plain-language requirements, and accessibility guidelines (Section 508) to all written products.

• Must have a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public affairs, or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in writing, editing, or strategic communications. (A master’s degree and 5 years of professional experience can substitute for bachelor’s degree and 7 years.)
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing for a range of formats and audiences, including web, print, and executive-level materials.
• Experience translating technical or policy content into plain language for general audiences.
• Strong command of AP style and the ability to apply and maintain organizational style guides.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and PowerPoint, and familiarity with content management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables under deadline in a client-facing environment.
• U.S. citizenship is required with verbal and written fluency in English
• Must be able to receive and maintain a federal security clearance (public trust level.

• At least two years supporting federal government clients or working within a government agency.
• Experience supporting the Department of Energy, a National Laboratory, or another federal science or energy agency.
• Familiarity with the energy sector — energy technologies, grid modernization, energy security, or related policy areas.
• Experience writing for senior government officials, including speeches, testimony, or op-eds.
• Experience coordinating across teams and external partners on a single publication or initiative.

• This is an onsite role based in Washington, DC. The selected candidate will work primarily at the client site in downtown DC and must be able to reliably commute to the National Capital Region.