Graphic Designer (Reston, VA)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer

Company: Fors Marsh

Location: Reston, VA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Design

Date Posted: 2026-02-24

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role offers a unique opportunity to leverage graphic design expertise in a mission-driven environment, supporting critical communications for the first responder community.

• The Graphic Designer will be instrumental in translating complex information into accessible and engaging visual content, enhancing communication effectiveness for key stakeholders.

• This position requires a strong command of the Adobe Creative Suite and a keen understanding of brand consistency and accessibility standards (Section 508 compliance).

• The role is a contingent hire, contingent upon Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal, offering a chance to join a dynamic team on impactful projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically focused on supporting the first responder community, including the First Responder Network Authority. The emphasis on translating complex topics into clear, audience-centered products highlights a need for strong communication and visual storytelling skills beyond typical graphic design. The contingent nature of the hire is a critical factor for candidates to consider.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and implement visually compelling graphics for a variety of digital and print media, including blogs, social media posts, one-pagers, reports, and infographics.

• Collaborate closely with subject matter experts to distill complex information into clear, concise, and engaging visual narratives that resonate with the first responder audience.

• Ensure all design deliverables adhere to Fors Marsh's brand guidelines, accessibility standards (Section 508 compliance), and client-specific requirements.

• Develop short motion graphics to enhance digital content and improve audience engagement.

• Manage design projects from concept through completion, incorporating feedback from account teams and clients to achieve optimal results.

• Maintain a high standard of quality control across all design output, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in graphic design and digital content creation to bring innovative ideas to the team.

• Support the creation of visually engaging reports and infographics that effectively communicate data and key findings.

• Produce digital content that is accessible and compliant with federal standards, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative design, complex information translation, and adherence to strict government/public safety communication standards. The inclusion of "short motion graphics" indicates a need for skills beyond static design.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design experience.

• Proven experience in creating digital content for various platforms.

• Experience supporting government or public safety clients is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in the Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).

• Strong visual storytelling and conceptualization abilities.

• Proficiency in creating graphics for social media, blogs, and digital reports.

• Demonstrated understanding and application of Section 508 compliance and accessibility standards in design.

• Ability to translate complex information into clear and engaging visual assets.

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills for working with subject matter experts and account teams.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality control in design output.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing short motion graphics.

• Familiarity with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) or similar public safety initiatives.

• Experience designing for federal government contracts and clients.

• Knowledge of infographic design principles and best practices.

• Experience with advanced reporting and data visualization techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Section 508 compliance and experience with federal clients is a significant differentiator for this role, suggesting a need for candidates deeply familiar with government communication protocols and accessibility mandates.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a diverse range of design projects, demonstrating proficiency across various media (digital graphics, print collateral, reports, infographics).

• Include examples of work that effectively translates complex information into accessible and engaging visual content.

• Highlight projects that adhere to specific brand guidelines or style guides, illustrating attention to detail and consistency.

• Present case studies or project descriptions that explain the design process, challenges faced, and the impact of the design solutions.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your design process, from initial concept development and client consultation to final product delivery and revision cycles.

• Articulate how you incorporate feedback and collaborate with stakeholders to refine designs.

• Explain your approach to ensuring brand consistency and accessibility across all design assets.

• Detail your workflow for managing multiple design projects and prioritizing tasks effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: For this role, the portfolio must specifically emphasize the ability to handle complex subject matter and adhere to government-mandated accessibility standards, showcasing practical application rather than just theoretical knowledge.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, with employee coverage paid at 100%.

• Generous long-term and short-term disability coverage, with employee coverage paid at 100%.

• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance.

• A floating holiday bank to celebrate personally valued days.

• Generous matching retirement contributions with no vesting period starting the third month of employment.

• Dedicated training and development budgets to support continuous learning and skill expansion.

• Paid time off for volunteering activities.

Working Hours:

• Full-time, typically 40 hours per week.

• This is an on-site position requiring full-time presence in Reston, VA.

📝 Enhancement Note: The employer offers a comprehensive benefits package with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, including 100% employer-paid premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance, and unlimited PTO. The salary range is competitive for a Graphic Designer role with the specified experience level in the Reston, VA area.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Research, Advisory, and Communications services, with a focus on human behavior and influencing decision-making. Fors Marsh is a certified B Corporation, a Just employer, and has been recognized as a Top Workplace for multiple years.

Company Size: The company size is not explicitly stated, but as a certified B Corp and Top Workplace with a presence in multiple locations, it suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with a strong commitment to its values.

Founded: Founded in 2002, Fors Marsh has a history of tackling significant issues and building strong client relationships.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will likely be part of a broader marketing, communications, or creative services team.

• Close collaboration with account managers, researchers, subject matter experts, and potentially proposal teams is expected.

Methodology:

• Fors Marsh utilizes a human-centered approach, focusing on understanding behavior to design targeted solutions.

• The company emphasizes data-driven insights and a commitment to purpose, people, planet, and profit.

• Design work is expected to be strategic, aligned with client objectives and Fors Marsh's mission.

Company Website: https://forsmarsh.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Fors Marsh's identity as a certified B Corp and Just employer signifies a strong commitment to ethical business practices, employee well-being, and social impact. This culture is likely to permeate all teams, including the creative department.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Designer (as indicated by "FM Career Map: Designer"). This suggests a role focused on executing design tasks and contributing creative solutions, with potential for growth into senior design or art direction roles.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Creative Director, Art Director, or a Communications Manager, depending on the internal structure of the team supporting the first responder communications.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's work will directly impact the clarity and effectiveness of communications for the first responder community, influencing decision-making and public understanding of critical initiatives. This role contributes significantly to the success of client proposals and project outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like motion graphics, data visualization, or accessibility design.

• Client/Project Exposure: Work on high-impact projects for government clients, particularly in the public safety sector, offering valuable experience and portfolio pieces.

• Leadership Potential: With demonstrated success and growth, opportunities may arise for senior design roles, team lead positions, or specialization in art direction for specific client accounts.

• Professional Development: Access to dedicated training and development budgets to pursue new skills, software proficiency, and industry best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "FM Career Map: Designer" suggests a structured approach to career progression within the company, providing a clear pathway for individuals to advance their careers in design.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position in Reston, VA. Fors Marsh's culture as a Top Workplace and B Corp suggests a supportive and collaborative office environment.

Office Location(s): Reston, VA. This location offers access to a vibrant business community and a range of amenities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to be collaborative, fostering interaction with colleagues from various disciplines.

• Access to necessary design software (Adobe Creative Suite) and hardware will be provided.

• The environment encourages creativity and innovation, with a focus on producing high-quality work for impactful projects.

• Opportunities for interaction with project teams and subject matter experts will be plentiful.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with an emphasis on work-life balance supported by unlimited PTO.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Reston, VA, is crucial for candidates. The company culture likely supports a productive and collaborative in-office experience, balanced with generous PTO.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and alignment with role requirements.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into the candidate's portfolio, focusing on design quality, creativity, technical proficiency, and experience with relevant tools and standards (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Section 508 compliance). Be prepared to discuss specific projects in detail.

• Behavioral/Situational Interviews: Questions will assess problem-solving skills, collaboration style, ability to work with subject matter experts, and understanding of brand and accessibility requirements.

• Contingent Offer Discussion: If successful, a discussion regarding the contingent nature of the hire and the upcoming proposal.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 5-8 strong projects that best represent your skills for this specific role, highlighting work relevant to government, public safety, or complex information design.

• Showcase Process: For key projects, briefly outline the brief, your conceptualization process, challenges, and the final solution. Visuals are key, but context is important.

• Highlight Accessibility: Clearly mark or describe any projects where Section 508 compliance or accessibility was a primary consideration. Provide examples of how you met these requirements.

• Demonstrate Versatility: Include a range of deliverables (social media, reports, infographics, potentially motion graphics) to showcase breadth.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished.

Challenge Preparation:

• While not explicitly mentioned, be prepared for a potential design challenge or a request to critique existing designs based on accessibility and communication effectiveness.

• Practice articulating your design choices and how they align with strategic objectives and audience needs.

• Research Fors Marsh's work and their B Corp status to understand their values and approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should proactively highlight their experience with Section 508 compliance and any work related to government or public safety communications within their portfolio and during interviews.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: This is a core requirement and includes:

  • Photoshop: For image editing and manipulation.
  • Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, and illustrations.
  • InDesign: For layout and design of reports, one-pagers, and print collateral.

• Motion Graphics Software: Proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects may be required for creating short motion graphics.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this design role, but awareness of how designed assets are deployed through marketing automation or CRM-related communications could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite is non-negotiable. Experience with motion graphics software like After Effects is highly desirable given the mention of short motion graphics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact-Driven: Fors Marsh values taking on issues that matter and shaping systems that influence lives, aligning with the mission to support first responders.

• Human-Centered: A focus on understanding human behavior to design effective solutions is core to their methodology.

• Collaboration: The company fosters a team environment where researchers, advisors, and communicators work together.

• Integrity & Purpose: As a B Corp and Just employer, values like ethical practices, inclusivity, and making a positive impact are paramount.

• Continuous Improvement: Dedication to continuous learning and development is evident through training budgets and a focus on employee growth.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring designers to work closely with subject matter experts, account teams, and potentially researchers.

• Open communication and the ability to both provide and receive constructive feedback are essential for success.

• A proactive approach to problem-solving and a willingness to contribute to a shared mission are valued.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with Fors Marsh's commitment to social impact, ethical practices, and collaborative problem-solving, especially in the context of serving a critical community like first responders.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge will be to take highly technical or complex information related to first responder communications and translate it into easily digestible and visually appealing content.

• Adhering to Strict Standards: Ensuring all designs meet Section 508 compliance and federal accessibility requirements demands meticulous attention to detail and specialized knowledge.

• Contingent Hire Uncertainty: The role is contingent on winning a proposal, which introduces an element of uncertainty regarding the start date and project continuity.

• Balancing Creative Vision with Client Needs: Effectively merging creative design with client objectives and brand guidelines requires strong communication and negotiation skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Accessibility Design: Deepen expertise in designing for accessibility, a critical skill in government and public sector work.

• Motion Graphics Specialization: Gain hands-on experience and develop skills in creating short motion graphics for digital campaigns.

• Public Safety Communications: Develop a nuanced understanding of the communication needs and challenges within the first responder community.

• B Corp Network Engagement: Leverage opportunities and learn from the broader B Corp network for best practices in sustainable and ethical business.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should view the challenges as opportunities for professional growth and demonstrate resilience and adaptability, particularly regarding the contingent nature of the position.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex technical information into a clear visual design. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, audience understanding, and impact)

• "How do you ensure your designs meet accessibility standards like Section 508 compliance? Can you provide an example?" (Highlight specific techniques, tools, and prior experience)

• "Walk us through a design project in your portfolio that you are particularly proud of. What were the objectives, your role, and the results?" (Prepare a concise, impactful case study)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Fors Marsh's mission, particularly our work with the first responder community?" (Show research into the company's values and mission)

• "How do you see your design skills contributing to our 'human-centered' approach?" (Connect your skills to their core methodology)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize projects that demonstrate your ability to handle complex information, adhere to strict guidelines (like Section 508), and create engaging digital content.

• Tell a Story: For 2-3 key projects, prepare a brief narrative explaining the challenge, your solution, and the measurable impact.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to discuss your proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and any other relevant design or motion graphics software.

• Emphasize Accessibility: Clearly articulate your understanding and application of accessibility standards in your design work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss specific examples of your work related to accessibility and complex information design, as these are critical requirements for this role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your online portfolio through the Fors Marsh careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio prominently features projects demonstrating experience with complex information, brand guideline adherence, and critically, Section 508 compliance. Include examples of digital content (social media, blogs) and reports/infographics.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 5+ years of experience, Bachelor's degree, expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, and any specific experience with government clients or public safety communications. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, your approach to accessibility, and your understanding of Fors Marsh's mission and values. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and potentially a design challenge.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Fors Marsh's work, their B Corp status, and their commitment to serving communities like first responders. Understand their "human-centered" approach.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. This role is contingent on Fors Marsh winning an upcoming proposal.