Careers

Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!

We're looking for Strategic Communications Lead & Project Manager that will serve as the primary point of contact for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender (OPD) on the Strategic Communications Services contract. This role is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive communications strategy that supports OPD’s mission, improves public awareness, and engages diverse stakeholders. The individual will oversee project planning, manage deliverables, coordinate media relations, lead messaging development, and provide strategic guidance to ensure communications objectives are achieved on time and within budget.

The Strategic Communications Lead & Project Manager Day-to-Day Activities:

• Serve as primary liaison between OPD and the contractor team.
• Develop and manage the project schedule, milestones, and deliverables.
• Lead the creation and implementation of OPD’s communications strategy, integrating messaging across media, digital, and stakeholder channels.
• Coordinate media relations, including drafting press releases, developing media lists, pitching stories, and preparing spokesperson briefing materials.
• Oversee event planning and execution for press conferences, public outreach, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Direct crisis communications planning and provide rapid-response messaging in coordination with OPD leadership.
• Oversee reporting on communications activities, including monthly progress reports, performance metrics, and final project summaries.
• Ensure consistent brand messaging and alignment with OPD’s mission and values.

This HR&Talent Acquisition Coordinator is designed to help us scale our recruiting operations and strengthen our HR infrastructure as we continue to grow. You will be an integral part of our proposal and recruiting process, ensuring we move quickly from position description (PD) development to candidate selection, while also supporting broader HR initiatives that will help us attract, retain, and develop top talent.

Core Responsibilities

1. Position Description (PD) Management

• Finalize PD drafts from the proposal team during the RFI and/or RFP stages.
• Format and post PDs to:
  • Company website
  • LinkedIn and other social media platforms
  • Agreed-upon job boards
• Ensure postings go live within 24–48 hours of receiving final draft.

2. Candidate Pipeline Management

• Use AI tools (with my guidance) to pre-screen resumes.
• Maintain a candidate tracker with notes, ratings, and status updates.
• Flag strong candidates promptly for review.

3. Interview Coordination

• Contact shortlisted candidates to confirm interest.
• Schedule interviews directly on my calendar.
• Send candidates confirmation emails and relevant job details.

4. HR / Human Capital Infrastructure Projects

Contribute to other HR/corporate projects that strengthen company infrastructure.

Assist in building out our HR SharePoint site.

Develop and maintain onboarding/offboarding processes, checklists, and packages.

Support the creation and automation of performance review processes.

Track and ensure completion of required employee training.

We are looking for an HR Data Analyst who will provide advanced analytics, workforce data insights, and internal control expertise to support OPM’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and Internal Control and Compliance (ICC) Division. This role ensures HR and workforce data inform effective decision-making, supports compliance with OMB Circular A-123 Appendix D, and strengthens the link between internal controls, human capital, and financial reporting.

The HR Data Analyst day-to-day functions will be to:

• Serve as the lead SME for workforce and HR data analytics in support of internal control and risk assessment activities.
• Develop dashboards, scorecards, and reports to monitor HR and workforce trends, staffing patterns, and risks affecting financial management systems.
• Provide analytic support for internal control testing, including workforce-related IT General Controls (ITGCs) and human capital processes tied to financial reporting.
• Translate HR data insights into actionable recommendations for OPM leadership.
• Support lessons learned documentation, briefings, and workforce planning deliverables.
• Collaborate with system/process owners to validate data integrity, identify deficiencies, and support remediation planning.
• Mentor analysts and ensure quality in HR-related workpapers, memos, and reporting artifacts.

We are looking for a Senior Business Specialist who will provide expert business analysis, program support, and advisory services to OPM’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and Internal Control and Compliance (ICC) Division. This role bridges business and technical requirements, ensuring compliance with OMB Circular A-123 Appendix D, the CFO Act, FMFIA, and related financial management regulations. The Senior Business Specialist will support the execution of internal control assessments, develop documentation and reporting, and provide strategic recommendations to improve financial management processes.

The Senior Business Specialist day-to-day functions will be to:

• Lead business analysis and documentation efforts in support of internal control assessments, including Test of Design (TOD) and Test of Operating Effectiveness (TOE).
• Support development of project plans, schedules, risk assessments, and deliverables such as deficiency memos, lessons learned, and IT Summary of Aggregated Deficiencies (IT SAD).
• Conduct data validation, process mapping, and documentation of financial and mixed financial systems.
• Analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement, automation, or remediation.
• Collaborate with system/process owners, auditors, and OPM leadership to ensure alignment with internal control requirements.
• Prepare and deliver reports, dashboards, and briefings to support ICC decision-making.
• Provide subject matter guidance to junior analysts and team members.

Protect our Homeland, Ascend with Us!

We invite you to become an integral part of a rapidly growing and industry-leading organization, where our employees come first!  At Ascension, LLC you’ll help protect our national security while working on innovative, mission-focused projects that deliver exceptional business application solutions.  Our employees proudly serve as trusted advisors and forward-thinking solution architects for our clients. 

Currently, we are seeking a motivated, career and customer-focused Senior Program Specialist – SME that will provide expert-level advisory, analytic, and program management support to OPM’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Internal Control and Compliance (ICC) Division. This position ensures compliance with OMB Circular A-123 Appendix D, FMFIA, and related financial management regulations, while driving improvements in OPM’s internal control environment and supporting strategic initiatives.

The Senior Program Specialist - SME day-to-day functions will be to:

• Lead high-level program management and advisory efforts to support OPM’s A-123 internal control assessment cycle.
• Serve as SME for internal controls over financial systems, IT general controls (ITGCs), and financial reporting.
• Guide the development of project plans, risk assessments, and rotation schedules for testing high-risk financial systems.
• Oversee the preparation of major deliverables, including deficiency memos, IT Summary of Aggregated Deficiencies (IT SAD), and Final IT Assessment Reports.
• Provide strategic recommendations to OPM leadership to improve risk management, governance, and compliance.
• Facilitate lessons learned workshops, program briefings, and executive-level reporting.
• Mentor and support junior analysts and team members, ensuring quality, accuracy, and compliance in deliverables.
• Act as liaison between OPM leadership, system owners, and control assessors to resolve deficiencies and confirm remediation.