Communications Specialist (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Accountabilities

The Communications Specialist will lead the development and coordination of accessible bilingual communications, ensuring that program information is accurate, consistent, and understandable for diverse stakeholder groups.

• Develop and maintain a communications calendar to organize key announcements, content releases, and stakeholder updates.

• Support a consistent messaging framework across stakeholder groups, including individuals receiving developmental disabilities services, families, providers, advocates, and legislators.

• Write and produce clear, plain-language communications in English and Spanish, including FAQs, fact sheets, website content, presentations, and other informational materials.

• Ensure all communications meet Section 508 accessibility requirements and applicable WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

• Create original Spanish-language content, adapting messages to the needs of Spanish-speaking audiences rather than relying solely on direct translation.

• Communicate program changes, analytics-informed reforms, and fiscal initiatives in an accessible and audience-appropriate manner.

• Contribute to quarterly stakeholder feedback summaries and the annual stakeholder experience summary report.

• Coordinate with communications staff and third-party vendors to ensure alignment, consistency, and timely delivery of stakeholder communications.

• Support the production and remediation of accessible documents and digital content across Word, PowerPoint, PDF, and web formats.

• Manage communications deliverables and priorities throughout the engagement, including periods of increased activity around major content releases.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will combine strong professional communications experience with bilingual writing expertise, accessibility knowledge, and an understanding of public-sector or health and human services environments.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of professional communications experience, including a minimum of 3 years in government, Medicaid, healthcare, or human services communications.

• Professional fluency in both English and Spanish, with excellent written and spoken communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to write original content in Spanish, not simply translate existing English materials.

• Proven experience with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility remediation for Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and web content.

• Strong plain-language writing skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to public audiences. A portfolio or writing samples will be required.

• Experience developing communications strategies, messaging frameworks, and communications calendars for a public agency or large-scale program.

• Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with internal teams and external vendors.

• Availability to start in December 2026 and work during Maryland business hours (Eastern Time).

• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally to Baltimore, Maryland.

• Current U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is not available.

• Must be independent of direct service providers funded by the client agency, with no financial, ownership, or organizational relationship.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience communicating with people with disabilities and their families.

• Previous experience working with Maryland state agencies.

• Graphic design and web production skills.

• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, Drupal, or similar content production and web management tools.

Benefits:

• Hourly compensation of $40–$50, depending on experience and qualifications.

• Part-time contract engagement of approximately 360 hours through June 30, 2027.

• Expected workload of approximately 10–12 hours per week, with increased hours around major communications releases.

• Fully remote working arrangement.

• Occasional travel to Baltimore, Maryland, required.

• Flexible contract structure available through either 1099 or W-2 engagement.

• Opportunity to contribute to a public-sector initiative supporting accessible communications and stakeholder engagement in developmental disabilities services.