ICF is seeking a Behavior Change Communications SME with 4 – 7 years of full-time behavior change/behavior modification experience to support the Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE). The selected candidate will be part of a multi-dimensional team comprised of clinical psychologists, implementation scientists, and strategic communications specialists to apply behavior change communication subject matter expertise in developing various messages and products that are based on scientific evidence and developed to promote behavior change. The ideal candidate will bring knowledge of psychological health principles, experience in behavior change/behavior modification activity, and communications experience.
Although this is primarily a telework position, candidates must reside in the Washington, DC Metro Area as on-site work in either Silver Spring, MD or Falls Church, VA could be required on occasion.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Develop psychological health promotion and behavior change messaging products and strategies addressing modifiable behaviors impacting psychological health.
- Coordinate across the client organization to incorporate psychological health promotion and behavior change messaging into products and services.
- Apply subject matter knowledge in the areas of mental health, behavior change/modification, and health communications to support development of tools and strategies such as (representative examples only):
- Behavior change products (e.g., educational materials, professional presentations, briefing materials, content for brochures, content for social media posts, etc.)
- Public education tools and resources to disseminate mental health research findings
- Metrics to evaluate outcomes related to the effectiveness of stigma mitigation education and intervention
- Translation of clinical and research materials into written products and presentations for the public
- Consult on, and provide input to, the development of products to ensure products communicate information in such a way as to motivate behavior change.
- Collaborate with strategic communications personnel to help craft dissemination messaging to better reach and (critically) engage different audiences in a manner that gets them thinking about making the desired change.
- Provide input to implementation intervention (behavior modification) and evaluation designs to ensure that communication objectives are included, associated with adequate methods to deliver desired results, and to develop metrics targeting communication outcomes.
- Advise on public psychological health campaigns.
- Support the development of promotional and educational products pertaining to mental health, stigma, and help-seeking.
- Support partnerships within the DoW and with other federal agencies, community programs, and academia.
Mandatory Qualifications:
- BS/BA in Psychology, Public Health, Communications Studies, or similar fields of study.
- At least 4 years of full-time work in a behavior change communications role (as reflected above).
- At least 2 years of experience supporting behavior modification programs or public health campaigns designed to change behavior and shape public perception.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Teams and SharePoint).
Desired Qualifications (Education, Certifications, Experience, Skills):
- MA/MS in Psychology, Public Health, Communications Studies, or similar fields of study.
- Prior experience executing research studies and publishing or presenting findings.
- Ability to demonstrate that you have applied sound organization skills in managing multiple timelines and completing tasks quickly within the constraints of client’s timelines and budgets.
- Capacity to collaborate easily with peers, managers, and clients while leading program development to a completed and successful solution.
- Prior experience as a federal contractor.
- Prior DoW / Military Mental Health experience.
- Ability and experience communicating effectively (speaking and writing) to diverse audiences in order to convey clinical processes, problems, and solutions.
Bot and Third-Party Applications
Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.
Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Work Authorization and Sponsorship All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for new H-1B visa sponsorship by ICF. Candidates who currently hold valid work authorization may be considered for a change of employer petition, subject to company policy and applicable immigration requirements.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$67,063.00 - $114,008.00Reston, VA (VA30)Skills Required
- BS or BA in Psychology, Public Health, Communications Studies, or a similar field
- At least 4 years of full-time experience in a behavior change communications role
- At least 2 years of experience supporting behavior modification programs or public health campaigns designed to change behavior and shape public perception
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint
- MA or MS in Psychology, Public Health, Communications Studies, or a similar field
- Experience executing research studies and publishing or presenting findings
- Strong organizational skills managing multiple timelines and completing tasks within client timelines and budgets
- Ability to collaborate with peers, managers, and clients while leading program development to completion
- Prior experience as a federal contractor
- Prior Department of War or military mental health experience
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse audiences about clinical processes, problems, and solutions
ICF Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ICF and has not been reviewed or approved by ICF.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan choices (UHC PPO/HDHP and Kaiser in some areas) come with employer HSA/HRA funding and wellness incentives, with dental and vision included. Mental-health access is emphasized via Modern Health, offering up to 10 therapy and 10 coaching sessions annually.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-building resources include Maven support on UHC plans, $10,000 lifetime fertility/surrogacy reimbursement, and $5,000 for adoption, milk-shipping, and clinician-led programs. Caregiver and 24/7 resources are also available through the EAP.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 5% discount is broadly available and regularly highlighted in postings. This adds a straightforward path for employees to build ownership alongside salary and benefits.
ICF Insights
What We Do
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Why Work With Us
At ICF, we’ve built a culture rooted in expertise, innovation, and purpose—enabling us to build a more prosperous and resilient world for all. When our employees grow, our solutions thrive—regardless of your role, team, or location, you’ll have opportunities to make connections, build community, and take action to develop your career.
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