Workforce Research Communications Specialist

The Opportunity

The Workforce Research Communications Specialist plays a critical role in translating complex research, labor market analysis, and AI workforce insights into compelling, accessible, and actionable products for policymakers, employers, workforce practitioners, educators, and the public. This position leads the development of reports, dashboards, visualizations, web content, presentations, briefs, and other stakeholder-facing communications.

The successful candidate will combine expertise in strategic communications, data storytelling, visual design, and policy communications to ensure that research findings and analytical insights are effectively disseminated to diverse audiences. This position is contingent on project award to Abt Global.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Content Development

• Lead the development of public-facing and stakeholder-facing communications products, including: 
  • Quarterly reports 
  • Issue briefs 
  • Fact sheets 
  • One-pagers  
  • Infographics  
  • Executive summaries 
  • Presentation materials 
  • Event materials 
  • Website content 
  • Research synthesis products 
• Translate complex research findings, labor market intelligence, and AI workforce trends into clear, accurate, and engaging narratives. 
• Develop audience-specific messaging and dissemination strategies for policymakers, workforce practitioners, employers, educational institutions, and the public. 
• Support development and maintenance of dissemination and communications plan. 

Data Visualization & Dashboard Development

• Design and develop high-quality data visualizations and dashboards that communicate key workforce and AI-related trends. 
• Create compelling visual representations of quantitative analyses using tools such as: 
  • Tableau  
  • Power BI 
  • ArcGIS Dashboards (preferred) 
  • Other business intelligence and visualization platforms 
• Collaborate closely with researchers, economists, and analysts to ensure visualizations accurately represent analytical findings. 
• Maintain visualization standards that promote accessibility, clarity, and usability for both technical and non-technical audiences. 

Research Translation & Knowledge Dissemination

• Convert analytical findings into policy-relevant products and decision-support materials. 
• Synthesize research from federal datasets, partner-contributed data, and external literature into actionable communications products. 
• Develop rapid-response briefs and communications materials addressing emerging AI and workforce issues. 
• Ensure consistency and quality across all communications products. 

Website & Digital Communications Support

• Develop and maintain website-ready content that supports dissemination of resources and findings. 
• Coordinate with web, communications, and program staff to support digital publication efforts. 
• Support content updates, user-focused information architecture, and digital engagement activities. 

Stakeholder Engagement & Events

• Support Government-led virtual and in-person events through: 
  • Presentation development 
  • Speaker materials 
  • Event collateral 
  • Briefing documents 
  • Post-event summaries and documentation 
• Assist in developing communications materials for partner engagement and outreach activities. 

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all public-facing deliverables comply with: 
  • Section 508 accessibility requirements 
  • Plain Language standards 
  • Federal communications guidelines 
  • Department of Labor branding and publication requirements 
• Maintain version control and documentation for all communications products and deliverables. 

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + Five years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Three years of relevant experience, or PhD
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, Economics, Design, Social Sciences, or related field required.  Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in: 
  • Policy communications 
  • Strategic communications 
  • Analytical writing 
  • Research dissemination 
  • Public-facing content development 
• Demonstrated experience translating complex data and research into accessible communications products. 
• Experience developing written and visual products grounded in quantitative research and data analysis. 
• Proficiency with data visualization and business intelligence tools, including: 
  • Tableau  
  • Power BI 
  • Similar visualization platforms 
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and storytelling skills. 
• Experience developing communications products for audiences with varying levels of technical expertise. 
• Strong project management and organizational skills. 
• Experience supporting federal government programs, workforce development initiatives, or labor market research. 
• Familiarity with: 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
  • Workforce development systems 
  • Labor market information (LMI) 
  • Economic policy research 
  • Public-sector communications 
• Experience developing dashboards and public-facing data products. 
• Experience supporting website content strategy and digital communications initiatives. 
• Knowledge of accessibility and Section 508 compliance requirements.