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.
The Writer will support our clients at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by producing clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate content across a wide range of formats — including web content, fact sheets, reports, briefing memos, news releases, technical publications, and responses to public inquiries. This role translates complex technical and policy material into plain language that resonates with general audiences, industry partners, and other key stakeholders. The writer collaborates with subject matter experts, program offices, and communications colleagues to gather source material, verify accuracy, and ensure messaging aligns with office priorities and DOE-wide strategic objectives. Working on quick-turnaround deadlines, the writer delivers polished products that meet federal editorial standards and support the client’s mission.
This role will be part of an Akoya communications team reporting to a contract manager. It is ideal for a communications professional with exceptional writing skills who is comfortable working alongside government leaders in a fast-paced environment.
What You'll Do- 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.
- Base compensation: $115,000 to $125,000 annually. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as location, education, years of experience, and candidate skillset.
- 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.
Employee Benefits
Akoya provides generous benefits for its full-time employees including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and profit sharing
- Eleven federal holidays and paid time off
- And more!
Akoya is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment that has a positive effect on the hiring, retention, and ongoing support of all employees. Akoya is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, affords equal opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, age, creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public affairs, or a relevant field
- At least 7 years of professional experience in writing, editing, or strategic communications
- Demonstrated writing and editing experience across web, print, and executive-level materials
- Experience translating technical or policy content into plain language for general audiences
- Strong command of AP style and ability to apply organizational style guides
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and PowerPoint
- Familiarity with content management systems
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables under deadline in a client-facing environment
- U.S. citizenship
- Verbal and written fluency in English
- Ability to receive and maintain a federal security clearance at the 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 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
- Master’s degree with at least 5 years of professional experience as an alternative to the bachelor’s degree and 7-year requirement
What We Do
Akoya is a woman-owned strategic communications firm serving federal, corporate, and nonprofit clients. It helps organizations persuade, engage, and partner with critical audiences through audience analysis, communications planning, outreach, stakeholder engagement, and program support. The firm also builds and leads embedded communications teams for ongoing government programs, translating complex missions into clear messaging and supporting clients’ relationships with the people and organizations central to their work.
