Graphic Designer II (contingent position)

Location: Alexandria, VA

Department: General

The Graphic Designer II develops high-quality visual communications that make complex transportation research clear, accessible, and engaging. The Graphic Designer II works closely with writers, editors, researchers, communications professionals, and technical subject matter experts to translate complex information into effective visual products.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with transportation researchers and technical specialists to ensure visual communications accurately represent research findings, engineering concepts, and policy information.
• Design and produce layouts, covers, graphics, and templates for magazines, newsletters, technical reports, brochures, posters, and other publications.
• Apply advanced typography, grid systems, hierarchy, branding, and layout principles to create clear and visually compelling communications.
• Develop and enhance charts, infographics, diagrams, illustrations, line art, logos, and other visual elements that communicate technical research concepts.
• Select, prepare, retouch, crop, size, and optimize photographs and graphics.
• Support web, social media, exhibits, displays, presentations, and other digital and promotional communications.
• Manage design projects through concept development, review, revision, final production, and delivery.
• Ensure materials comply with Section 508 accessibility requirements, Federal publishing standards, established program branding, and copyright requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Over 5 years of professional graphic design experience, including significant experience with print and electronic publications.
• Ability to attend in-person meetings in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area.
• Expert proficiency with Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat, with strong working knowledge of other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Knowledge of typography, publication design, and visual hierarchy.
• Experience preparing graphics for print and digital distribution.
• Knowledge of accessibility principles and Section 508 requirements.
• Experience designing technical, scientific, engineering, transportation, or Federal Government publications is strongly preferred.
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability to pass a Public Trust Clearance and Background Check.

Required Education
Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Visual Communications, or a related field.