Sr. Graphic Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Graphic Designer

Company: FedWriters, Inc.

Location: Washington, DC (On-site)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Government & Public Sector

Date Posted: August 21, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years Professional Experience

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Support the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Public Affairs (OPA) by producing high-visibility print and digital creative campaigns, leveraging advanced graphic design skills.

• Design a comprehensive range of visual assets including posters, exhibits, reports, stage banners, website graphics, social media content, motion graphics, and infographics for national events and initiatives.

• Ensure all creative deliverables rigorously adhere to federal accessibility standards (Section 508) and established design guidelines, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and compliance.

• Manage projects independently from concept through final production, requiring minimal creative direction and proactive problem-solving to meet competing deadlines and mitigate risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is contingent upon contract award, indicating a potential for a government contract. The role requires significant independent work and direct interaction with senior agency officials, suggesting a need for strong communication and executive presence. The emphasis on Section 508 accessibility is a critical compliance requirement for federal projects.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and produce a diverse spectrum of print and digital materials, including but not limited to posters, exhibits, stage banners, website and social media graphics, motion graphics, infographics, annual reports, booklets, and signage.

• Execute design projects independently, translating abstract concepts into compelling visual narratives with minimal creative direction, from initial ideation to final production.

• Prepare and optimize visual media for various platforms using Macintosh systems and industry-standard design software, ensuring high-quality output across all formats.

• Proactively identify and resolve technical production issues, providing expert recommendations on appropriate materials, equipment, and production methods for each assignment to ensure project success and efficiency.

• Effectively prioritize competing project deadlines and deliverables, proactively flagging potential risks or challenges to the project lead to ensure timely and successful project completion.

• Engage directly with senior agency officials and key stakeholders to present creative concepts, gather feedback, and align on design direction, requiring exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Integrate basic Section 508 accessibility principles into all design output, ensuring compliance with federal mandates for digital and print materials and demonstrating a commitment to inclusive design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for end-to-end project ownership, from conceptualization to final output, with a strong emphasis on independent execution and stakeholder management. The requirement to apply Section 508 accessibility principles is a key technical and compliance responsibility specific to federal government projects.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field is typically expected for a senior-level role of this nature.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality creative solutions.

Required Skills:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in graphic design, with a comprehensive understanding of design principles and best practices.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal creative direction, showcasing strong self-management and initiative in design execution.

• Proven experience interacting directly with senior-level officials or executives, highlighting strong communication, presentation, and professional demeanor.

• Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat, for creating and managing complex design projects.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite for document integration and general productivity.

• A strong, working portfolio is mandatory, demonstrating advanced design capabilities and a breadth of creative output. References and portfolio are required for submission.

• Basic knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements and their application in design output. Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience supporting a federal public affairs or creative services function, understanding government communication needs and protocols.

• Experience with large-format print production, exhibit design and installation, or framing/matting processes, indicating practical production knowledge.

• Familiarity with IPTC metadata standards for effective digital asset management and content organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is substantial, indicating a need for seasoned professionals. The emphasis on independent work and executive interaction suggests a level of maturity and confidence. Preferred skills point towards a government contracting environment and hands-on production experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a diverse range of print and digital design projects, demonstrating mastery of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

• Case studies within the portfolio that highlight the design process, from initial concept development and client feedback integration to final execution and impact.

• Evidence of independent project management within the portfolio, illustrating the ability to handle projects from inception to completion with minimal oversight.

• Examples of designs that have successfully met specific client objectives or addressed complex communication challenges, ideally within a government or public affairs context.

• Specific examples demonstrating the application of Section 508 accessibility principles in design output, such as accessible PDFs, alt text considerations for web graphics, and contrast ratios. Process Documentation:

• While not a direct requirement for submission, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, including how they approach creative briefs, conduct research, iterate on designs, and manage feedback loops.

• Ability to articulate how they ensure brand consistency and adherence to style guides across various design assets.

• Understanding of file preparation workflows for both print and digital production, including pre-flight checks and optimization techniques.

• Familiarity with digital asset management principles and best practices for organizing and archiving design files.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "working portfolio demonstrating advanced design capability" is a critical element for this role. Candidates should focus on showcasing their ability to work independently, handle complex projects, and integrate accessibility standards, particularly if they have prior federal experience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Negotiable. Based on the Sr. Graphic Designer title, 10+ years of experience, the location in Washington, D.C., and the nature of federal contracting, a competitive salary range is expected. For a Sr. Graphic Designer in Washington D.C. with this level of experience, typical ranges can fall between $85,000 to $120,000+ annually, depending on specific skills, the contract value, and the candidate's negotiation.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Long-term Disability Insurance

• Short-term Disability Insurance

• Life Insurance

• 401(k) Plan with potential company match

• Holiday Pay

• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrued for vacation, personal time, and sick leave.

Working Hours: Standard full-time, on-site work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, totaling 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Negotiable" salary indicates flexibility, and candidates should research current market rates for Senior Graphic Designers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, considering experience and government contracting roles. The benefits package is standard and comprehensive for a full-time employee.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government Contracting / Professional Services. FedWriters, Inc. (FWI) specializes in providing a range of professional services, including writing, editing, graphic design, and technical support, primarily to federal government agencies.

Company Size: FedWriters, Inc. is recognized as a growing company, noted by its "Top Workplace" awards. While specific numbers aren't provided, this suggests a medium-sized enterprise with a focus on employee satisfaction and development.

Founded: Founded in 2001, FWI has over two decades of experience serving federal clients, building a reputation for quality and reliability.

Team Structure:

• The graphic design function likely operates within a larger support team for the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Public Affairs (OPA), potentially collaborating with writers, editors, and project managers.

• This role requires interaction with senior agency officials, indicating a structure that values direct communication and expertise at various levels.

• Collaboration is expected with other creative professionals and potentially with government personnel who provide creative direction or requirements. Methodology:

• Emphasis on producing high-visibility creative campaigns with significant impact.

• A strong focus on meeting federal standards, including Section 508 accessibility and specific agency design guidelines.

• Independent work from concept to completion is a core aspect of the design methodology.

• Proactive risk management and deadline prioritization are integral to project execution.

Company Website: https://www.fedwriters.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Top Workplace" recognition suggests a positive company culture that values its employees. The government contracting environment implies a need for professionalism, adherence to regulations, and potentially a structured work environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior-level individual contributor role within the creative services domain. It signifies a high degree of autonomy, expertise, and responsibility for complex design projects and client interactions. The role is not managerial but leads through expertise and project execution.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Graphic Designer will likely report to a Project Manager or a Creative Director within FedWriters, Inc., who oversees contract deliverables for the U.S. Department of Labor. Direct interaction with senior agency officials is part of the role's scope, but day-to-day reporting lines are likely internal to FWI.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is directly tied to the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Labor's public affairs and communication efforts. High-visibility creative campaigns designed by this role will influence public perception, convey critical information, and support national initiatives, thereby contributing significantly to the agency's mission.

Growth Opportunities:

• Internal Promotions: Potential to advance to Lead Graphic Designer, Art Director roles on future contracts, or transition into project management roles within FedWriters, Inc.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specialized areas like motion graphics, advanced accessibility compliance, or large-format print production through project experience and potentially company-sponsored training.

• Leadership Potential: While not a management role, the ability to mentor junior designers (if applicable on future projects) and lead creative execution on key initiatives can pave the way for future leadership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior" title and the 10+ years of experience requirement suggest this is a role for an established professional. Growth is likely tied to taking on larger, more complex projects, potentially leading creative efforts on new contracts, or moving into management roles within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site at the U.S. Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building (FPB) headquarters in Washington, DC. This implies working within a federal government facility, which may have specific security protocols and office etiquette.

Office Location(s): 200 Constitution Services Ave NW, Washington, DC 20210. This is a central location in Washington D.C., accessible by public transportation.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will be within a government building, likely offering standard office amenities and potentially a dedicated creative suite or shared design area.

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

• The environment will be collaborative, involving interaction with government officials and potentially other FedWriters team members working on the same contract.

• Expect a professional, deadline-driven atmosphere typical of government contracting and public affairs environments.

Work Schedule: A fixed, on-site schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with a total of 40 hours per week. This schedule is typical for government support roles and offers a structured work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a federal building means adhering to government facility rules and security clearances might be necessary. The environment is described as collaborative and professional, typical of government contracting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess qualifications and design experience.

• Technical Interview: Likely involves a discussion about your design process, software proficiency, and experience with projects similar to those described (federal, public affairs, large-scale campaigns). You may be asked to walk through specific portfolio pieces.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you present your portfolio, highlighting key projects, your role in them, challenges overcome, and results achieved. Emphasis will be placed on independent work and executive-level interaction experience.

• Behavioral/Situational Interview: Questions assessing your ability to work independently, manage deadlines, interact with senior officials, and apply accessibility standards.

• Contract Contingency: The offer and start date are contingent upon the award of the contract.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate your ability to handle high-visibility campaigns, work independently, and interact with senior stakeholders. Include examples of print, digital, motion graphics, and infographics if possible.

• Highlight Federal/Government Work: If you have prior experience with federal agencies or similar public affairs roles, showcase these projects prominently.

• Emphasize Section 508: Clearly articulate how you've applied accessibility principles in your work. If you don't have direct Section 508 experience, explain your understanding and willingness to learn and apply it rigorously.

• Showcase Independent Execution: For each project, clearly define your role, the level of direction you received, and how you managed the process from concept to completion.

• Prepare for Executive Interaction: Be ready to discuss how you've presented creative concepts and managed feedback from senior-level individuals.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a potential design challenge, either a take-home assignment or an in-person exercise, that mirrors the type of work expected (e.g., designing a poster for a campaign, creating social media graphics).

• Practice articulating your design choices, rationale, and process concisely.

• Understand the importance of meeting deadlines and adhering to specific client requirements, including accessibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is paramount for this role. Candidates should prepare to present their work with a focus on independence, executive interaction, and adherence to federal standards like Section 508. The contingency on contract award is a crucial factor to be aware of.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Expert-level proficiency required in:

  • Adobe InDesign: For layout design of reports, booklets, posters, and signage.
  • Adobe Photoshop: For image editing, manipulation, and creation of digital graphics.
  • Adobe Illustrator: For vector graphics, logos, infographics, and illustrations.
  • Adobe Acrobat: For creating and managing print-ready files, interactive PDFs, and ensuring accessibility features are implemented.

• Macintosh Systems: The primary operating system for design work.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook for document integration, presentations, and communication.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for a graphic designer, understanding how digital assets perform (e.g., social media engagement) can be beneficial. This role primarily focuses on creation rather than analytics.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this graphic design role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tech stack is heavily focused on the Adobe Creative Suite on a Mac platform, which is standard for high-end graphic design. The explicit mention of Adobe Acrobat for accessibility is a key detail.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to producing high-quality, impactful creative work that meets and exceeds client expectations.

• Professionalism & Integrity: Upholding high standards of conduct, especially when interacting with senior government officials and representing FedWriters.

• Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively within a team, both internally at FWI and with government stakeholders, to achieve project goals.

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Ability to navigate evolving project requirements, technical challenges, and demanding deadlines with a proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.

• Compliance & Standards: Strict adherence to federal regulations, accessibility requirements (Section 508), and client-specific guidelines.

Collaboration Style:

• Independent Contributor with Collaborative Integration: While expected to work independently on design tasks, the role requires seamless collaboration with project leads, government officials, and potentially other creative team members.

• Feedback-Driven Iteration: Openness to receiving and incorporating feedback from senior stakeholders to refine designs and ensure alignment with agency objectives.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly updating project leads on progress, potential risks, and any necessary resource requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture likely emphasizes professionalism, reliability, and a client-centric approach, given its focus on government contracting. The "Top Workplace" award suggests a supportive internal environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing High-Level Stakeholder Expectations: Effectively translating feedback from senior agency officials into compelling design solutions while maintaining creative integrity.

• Navigating Federal Compliance: Ensuring all designs meet stringent Section 508 accessibility standards, which requires specific knowledge and meticulous application.

• Balancing Competing Deadlines: Juggling multiple high-visibility projects simultaneously, often with tight turnaround times, in a government environment.

• Independent Execution: Thriving in a role that requires significant autonomy and self-direction from concept to final delivery.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Accessibility Training: Deepening expertise in Section 508 compliance for various media types.

• Specialized Design Skills: Opportunities to hone skills in motion graphics, interactive design, or large-format production through project work.

• Government Contracting Acumen: Gaining deeper insight into federal agency communication strategies and operational workflows.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from experienced professionals within FedWriters and at the Department of Labor.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical of senior roles in government contracting, emphasizing compliance, stakeholder management, and autonomy. Growth opportunities are tied to skill specialization and understanding the nuances of federal communication.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to work independently on a critical design project with minimal direction. How did you ensure success?" (Assesses autonomy and project management.)

• "Walk me through a complex print or digital campaign you designed for a high-profile client or government agency. What was your process, and what were the results?" (Evaluates design process, execution, and impact.)

• "How do you approach applying Section 508 accessibility standards to your design work? Can you give an example?" (Tests understanding of critical compliance requirements.)

• "Describe your experience presenting creative concepts and receiving feedback from senior executives or government officials." (Probes stakeholder management and communication skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with the U.S. Department of Labor and FedWriters?" (Assesses motivation and cultural fit.)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest graphic design trends and accessibility best practices?" (Evaluates commitment to continuous learning.)

• "How do you handle constructive criticism or conflicting feedback on your designs?" (Gauges adaptability and collaborative spirit.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the creative process, the challenges, the solutions you implemented, and the final outcome/impact.

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the success of your designs (e.g., increased engagement, successful event turnout, clarity of message).

• Demonstrate Section 508 Application: Explicitly point out design choices made to ensure accessibility. If a project wasn't required to be Section 508 compliant, discuss your understanding and readiness to apply it.

• Highlight Independence: Emphasize your ability to take a project from concept to completion with minimal supervision.

• Showcase Executive Interaction: Be ready to discuss how you effectively communicated with and managed expectations of senior-level stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating independence, a strong portfolio showcasing relevant work (especially federal/public affairs), and a thorough understanding of Section 508 accessibility. Be ready to articulate your design process and stakeholder management skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Sr. Graphic Designer position:

• Submit your resume and a link to your comprehensive portfolio through the FedWriters careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of graphic design experience, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, experience with print/digital campaigns, and any federal government or public affairs project experience. Explicitly mention your understanding of Section 508 accessibility.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio clearly demonstrates your ability to work independently, manage projects from start to finish, and includes examples of high-visibility campaigns. Prepare to discuss how you've applied accessibility standards.

• Prepare for Interview Questions: Practice articulating your design process, your experience working with senior officials, and your approach to meeting federal compliance requirements.

• Research FedWriters and DOL OPA: Understand FedWriters' mission and their work with the Department of Labor. Familiarize yourself with the general communication goals of a public affairs office to better align your responses and portfolio examples.

⚠️ 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. The position is contingent upon contract award.