Dewberry is currently seeking a Risk Communication Specialist in our Fairfax, VA Headquarters. The Risk Communication Specialist provides support to the risk communication aspect of natural hazard identification and risk assessment projects for federal, state, and local governmental agency clients.  The Risk Communications  Specialist’s primary objectives are to develop and implement effective communication strategies that motivate stakeholders to take meaningful, sustained actions to reduce and mitigate physical, economic, and social risks.  

Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter to Daniel Zell, dzell[at]dewberry.com. No phone calls please. Only successful candidates will be contacted. This is an immediate opening in Dewberry’s Fairfax, Virginia office.

The Risk Communications Specialist:

• Researches and documents examples of trends and best practices in the risk communication field, including the identification of successful programs at the federal, state, and/or local level.
• Identifies risk communication needs for project stakeholders, through direct contact with stakeholders and the review of previously collected data.
• Writes reports and other documents for, and makes formal and informal presentations to, both technical and lay audiences.
• Develops risk communication strategies for clients, including the identification of goals and opportunities, tailored to specific projects and stakeholders.
• Acts as an internal consultant and analyst on a range of projects related to natural hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation, and disaster response. 
• Serves as a subject matter expert for risk communication efforts.
• Assists in training internal staff in risk communication techniques. 
• Analyzes risk communication market opportunities and recommends business strategies to Senior Management.       

Required Skills & Required Experience:      

• Strong familiarity with recent literature on successful risk communication in non-crisis situations.
• Experience developing risk communication plans and strategies (preferably relating to natural hazards and disasters.)
• An MS degree or equivalent experience in Emergency Management, Sociology, or other related field is required
• 8+ years of experience working in the emergency management and/or risk communication fields.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.