Communication Specialist

We are seeking an experienced Communication Specialist to join our team supporting the NEST Communication Program. This role will support and manage tactical and strategic radio, satellite, and data networks to maintain command and control during radiological emergencies and nuclear incident responses. This ideal candidate should possess a robust blend of technical, operational, and tactical experience tailored to emergency response environments.

Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 USA

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or Emergency Management or 5 years of equivalent military training or federal law enforcement experience
• Minimum of six years of hands-on experience supporting tactical and field network operations, including radio, satellite communications (SATCOM), and secure/encrypted data networks
• Deploy, align, and operate tactical Satellite Communications terminals to establish data connectivity in environments with compromised or non-existent cellular networks
• Deploy globally on short notice to support real‑world nuclear and radiological emergencies, search operations, and major National Special Security Events (NSSEs)
• Experience installing, configuring, operating, and safeguarding secure communications equipment used for deployment in austere environments
• Demonstrated experience operating and managing Communications Security (COMSEC) equipment, including secure IP configurations and the configuration, accountability, and management of cryptographic keying material
• Demonstrated experience conducting frequency deconfliction and managing interoperable radio communications to ensure reliable, coordinated operations across disparate frequency bands used by federal, state, local, and Department of Defense mission partners
• Maintain 100% deployable readiness of mobile communication kits to include maintenance on switching and routing devices, transport capabilities, and ancillary gear
• Ability to travel up to 20% annually for training exercises, standby operations, and rapid‑response deployments
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs of communications gear over uneven terrain and work in varying weather conditions
• Ability to work in austere environments such as extreme temperatures, low light visibility, heights, in maritime areas, confined spaces, and possibly around HAZMAT material
• Ability to board and travel on commercial/military/government rotor wing aircraft, fixed wing aircraft, boats, and large ground vehicles
• Experience in planning, briefing, and executing communications plans involving the deployment of communication systems that include, but are not limited to, unclassified/classified IT data systems, Video Teleconferencing (VTC) systems, military radio systems, land mobile radio systems, terrestrial and satellite based telemetry transmission systems
• Ability to serve on a 24/7 response roster and deploy to a crisis site to support NEST operators
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to: prepare technical reports and documents, deliver technical briefings and presentations along with experience in conveying technical requirements to vendors, integrators, or equipment manufacturers
• Must have strong mental and operational agility to be able to support the mission
• Must have excellent teambuilding skills and provide open communication across different agency cultures

• COMPTIA Network+
• COMPTIA Security +
• Cisco CCNA

US Citizenship is strictly required. Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) Q clearance. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the security…