Graphics Designer

The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) leads the nation’s effort to protect the United States from terrorism by integrating, analyzing and sharing information to drive whole-of-government action and achieve our national CT objectives. Bachelor’s degree NCTC’s Directorate of Intelligence (DI) is seeking a talented graphic designer with strong problem solving skills and some experience in cartography to work in a group supporting analytic and multimedia production. The officer will produce visual products that convey intelligence analysis for US policymaker, law enforcement officials, warfighters, and executives charged with national security responsibilities, including the President of the United States.

This officer will:

Plan and coordinate highly complex graphic design projects; define project goals, scope, and requirements (i.e., audience, deadline, final product format, delivery methods) for all phases of planning and production; lead team projects and interpret customer requirements and project complexity to determine required team and technical resources needed for timely, accurate product delivery.

Plan and initiate content and lead production coordination activities with the project team to include the development of new concepts and unique specialty content, such as 3D animation, special visual effects, narration and sound effects, original video, audio or video editing, dynamic maps, graphics, databases, and illustrations.

Plan and develop original content by researching and analyzing multimedia methodology and subject matter to develop original concepts, creating project storyboards and work plans, researching, and acquiring necessary releases, licenses, and approvals, and providing direction and guidance to project team members.

Design and produce complex, highly sophisticated graphic design products by creating detailed artwork, such as illustrations, interactive charts, photographs, interactive maps, 3D animations, and special effects.

Plan and conduct quality control activities to include testing integrated content on various platforms and networks to ensure viewing, interactivity, and audio/video quality and reviewing content with customers and other stakeholders (e.g., editors, scientists, analysts, graphic designers) to ensure accuracy, completeness, and correct classification and controls or declassification.

Deliver final product and provide instructions to customers on aspects of the project, including navigation and specialized computer and display equipment.

Define, clarify, and communicate customers’ requirements and strategies and coordinate with customers to plan projects; work closely with customers and planners, assess work order parameters on complex projects, collect information, negotiate production schedules, arrange services, and resolve difficult procedural and production problems that may arise.

Work as part of an interdisciplinary team managing multiple projects under minimal supervision.

Develop and maintain skills commensurate with industry-wide best practices. Mandatory Requirements:

Thorough knowledge of graphic design software and web, dynamic map or graphic, and/or multimedia programming/authoring.

Thorough knowledge of graphic design methodology and techniques.

Ability to apply the broad range of specialty software, including Macromedia Director, Adobe product suites, and other complementary multimedia software.

Ability to utilize innovative and creative problem solving and analytical thinking skills to develop, organize, clarify, and enhance alternative approaches to the most sophisticated graphic design requirements.

Ability to create high-end design and project implementation that meets customers’ requirements.

Thorough knowledge of at the core skill areas and working knowledge of at least one graphic design product.

Ability to work effectively and efficiently within a diverse, creative, and often fast-paced project team environment and to efficiently manage time, technical, and administrative resources.

Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to interact effectively with customers, senior management, technical staff, and project team members; ability to coach and mentor others; thorough knowledge and understanding of organization mission and structure.

At least two years of professional experience at a national agency, law enforcement organization, service component, or combatant command.

Desired Requirements:

4-7 years of experience in graphic design.

A bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, cartography or a related field.

Knowledge of software applications, ESRI ArcGIS and/or QGIS, to develop sophisticated thematic map designs that facilitate the rapid comprehension of complex substantive issues and the related bottom-line message.

Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) principles including data types, data layers, basic geographic, analytic, and statistical functions, map projections, geographic coordinate systems, and data formatting.