Graphic Designer Security Clearance

Maria-Alaina Rambus

Mobile/Day: 240-***-**** Evening: 301-***-**** ******@*****.***

Skilled, detail-oriented graphic designer, with a security clearance, returning to the workforce after a brief retirement, with experience in all aspects of print production and graphic design services. I would like to make this change by returning to the federal government. Desires a secure and challenging position that supports professional growth and development. Previously performed duties as Visual Information Specialist, Graphic Designer III and Desktop Publication Editor.

Expert skills in providing top-notch graphic solutions that are eye-catching while successfully and succinctly conveying their intended messaging. Open and willing to explore other creative responsibilities in an effort to support the goals of my prospective organization.

CORE SKILLS

Adobe Creative Color Theory

Suite: AA, PS, AI, InD plus Commercial Printing

Branding/Marketing Creativity/Ideation

Materials Critical Thinker

Charts/Graphs

Creative Ideation

Client Delivery

Detailed

Design Principles

Desktop Publishing

Digital Photography

File Management

Freehand Illustration

Infographics

Logo Design

Oral/Writing

Communication

Photo Editing

Presentation Skill/Slides

Print Design

Problem Solving

Project Management

Storyboarding

Strategic Thinking

Typography

Web Art

RESPONSIBILITIES

Expertly skilled in Creative Suite: Adobe Photoshop; Illustrator; InDesign; Acrobat

Expert in Creative Suite: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

Proficient working with Microsoft Office Word, Publisher, PowerPoint; QuarkXPress, CorelDraw and basic experience

with Canva, Excel and SharePoint. Experience with printers, scanners, swatch books and photo libraries

Design production ready, Cross-platform images and graphics, i.e., Page layout for books, Annual Reports,

Periodicals and Magazines for the Web and/or Print and Exhibit Art

Design concepts and graphic principles, maintaining the organizations standards for graphics and production

Outstanding level of creativity; Accommodating and Flexible attitude

Expert experience interacting, presenting visual strategies and ideas to internal and external communities to include presenting before executive-level officials

Experience in partnering and collaboration with managers and directors to execute or assist with the production of artwork

designed and created to meet suitable for all and asset management tasks

Able to work independently with minimal direction, prioritize and manage multiple projects

Extreme passion for creating designs that evokes emotion for the receiving audience, best used in marketing and photography

PORTFOLIO: Available in transferrable email format and via link:

Maria-Alaina Rambus Portfolio

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16a_qdze1eP1PDtejGyIgbFNXKxAfZkro/view?usp=sharing

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications, 1996

University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

Certificate: Key Executive Leadership Program, American University, Washington, DC

- 20 credits: Key Executive master’s in public Affairs, American University, Washington, DC

Certificate: Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) the requirements for entry to the Senior Executive Service by the

US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) while attending American University.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

FBI Leading Projects Certificate, 2019

FBI Project Management Course, 2019

National Insider Threat Task Force, Insider Threat Hub Operations Course Certificate, 2019

Insider Threat Assessment Certificate, 2019

*This is a truncated version of my original resume and a detailed version is available upon request.*

WORK HISTORY

Graphic Designer LV III 4/21/2024 – Present

Defense Intelligence Agency, Chief Financial Office

Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling, Washington, DC

Responsibilities:

Collaborates with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and enhances analytic thoughts and assessments by

developing graphic and layout solutions, managing project requirements, making and executing recommendations

Provides independent design consultation and customer interaction

Actively partaking in and overseeing production processes to include coordination with local and other commercial

printing services

Selects appropriate program file formats

Creates and inserts static and motion graphics

Designs and publishes graphic designs

Independently designing material for briefings

Creates custom information graphics for official event campaigns and a variety of print-related designs

Produces artwork promptly

Provides expertise in solutions that will visually represent subject matters of all levels

Collaborates with analysts to understand requirements and enhances analytic thoughts and assessments by

developing graphic and layout solutions

Provides graphic design and layout solutions for intelligence products, including developing illustrations, editing.

existing images, managing fonts, and utilizing advanced pre-publication techniques

Uses government-specified technology to produce graphic design and marketing content

Integrates graphics with text, high-visibility finished intelligence products

Produces dynamic content following DIA’s published standards

Lead Visual Information Specialist (VIS), (Retired as of Aug. 2022) 40hr week 1/2020– 9/2022

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arlington, VA

Office of the Deputy Director (DO), Insider Threat Office (InTO),

Executive Office Communication Team for Insider Threat Office Supervisor:

Ms. Tonya White, (FBI retired): 540-***-****

Responsibilities:

Utilized key design principles to develop themed marketing products for the interdivisional FBI PROTECT

workplace security and wellness initiative. Co-hosted quarterly working group (WG) meetings attended by

senior-level executives to plan and develop impactful FBI PROTECT products.

Applied principles of layout and design using industry-standard software and hardware for layout, editing, and

producing final, edited multimedia products in support of the insider threat mission.

Problem-solved alternative methods to meet truncated deadlines or satisfy visual communication requirements

given scarce production resources.

Experience in leading projects from inception to completion

Provided designs, layouts, and editing services for InTO research publications distributed within the FBI, and to

other U.S. Government and foreign partner agencies.

Constructed website imagery, incorporating a variety of graphic media for maximum visual impact.

Senior VIS and event planning team member for the FBI-sponsored Insider Threat Behavioral Technical

Working Group Annual Symposium.

Responsible for the design and creation of a wide collection of products, both classified and non-classified, printed

materials and electronic files: meeting/events/conference materials, social media elements, Trade show exhibits,

forms, brochures, posters, mounting, framing, branding elements, single and multiple page prints, and digital

publications, promotional displays, and signage for a diversified nationwide audience, posters, banners

(retractable), daily agendas, briefing books (with w/various binding choices), course materials, certificates, and the

electronic invitations as well as presentation slides

Managed logistics for Print Services and secure transport of all classified/unclassified products and course materials.

Developed and maintained a file management/archival system. Member of the Standard Operating Procedure

manual (SOPs) working group. Experienced with the coordination of print services, working with internal and

external contractors, along with the Government Printing Office, GPO.

Temporary Duty Detail (60-day)

Lead Visual Information Specialist, 40hr week 11/2019 – 1/2020

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC Training

Division, Leadership Development Unit, (LDU)

Responsibilities:

Analyzed requirements, conducted research, and developed new page layouts, images, and line art that best

conveyed course content.

Designed new course materials, substituted text with visual storyboards that guided the students through

processes versus having to read step-by-step procedures.

Upgraded course hand-outs and supporting documentation; for cost effectiveness, some products were

laminated and collected after each session for continued use.

Lead Visual Information Specialist, 40hr week 4/2018 – 11/2019

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crystal City, VA

Office of the Deputy Director (DO), Insider Threat Office, Unit 2

Similar responsibilities to Insider Threat Office (InTO) Lead, Visual Information Specialist listed above.

Also assigned to work with the Assessment Team:

Responsibilities:

Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team reviewing internal division protocols and operating instructions

to discover potential or active vulnerabilities, such as poorly secured information systems.

Developed visual products to depict identified vulnerabilities and convey the likely effectiveness of recommended

mitigations.

Received Cash and Time-Off Award for working Above and Beyond.

Senior Lead Visual Information Specialist, 40hr week 9/2007 – 4/2018

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC

Graphic & Print Service Unit; Finance and Facilities Division

FBI verification of employment: 202-***-****

Responsibilities:

Supervised and monitored the development of all design projects from conception to delivery.

Trained Junior designers newly assigned to the unit.

Produced original pieces, including illustrations and infographics

Received, assessed, and distributed work assignments to the junior designers.

Provided all the ceremonial products associated with the National Academy, Special Agent, and Intelligence

Analyst and graduation events, 7 years.

Provided professional services for almost all the branches and divisions within the bureau, as well as

collaborative efforts with other agencies, representing the FBI in my duties.

Supported FBI HQ exhibits and other special projects (e.g., photo shoot set-up, videography sessions).

Designed training manuals supporting agents and surveillance teams.

Utilized industry-standard software for print and exhibit production.

Served intermittently as acting supervisor for up to two weeks in the supervisors’ absence; represented the Print

Service Unit at the weekly Unit Chief meetings, as needed.

Maintained compliance with unit project budgets, the Department of Justice Print Production Standards, and

current style manuals, graphic publications, and Government Publishing Office regulations.

Results:

Redesigned a 20-year-old-plus product file layout for the various high-profile training courses for agent training,

intelligence analyst, and international police and investigative services completion ceremonies. Updating and

reconstructing the product files saved the graphic and print services in design and production time by 4 days.

Products designed and created by me are still on display throughout the FBI headquarters and off-site locations.

Recognized by Director Mueller as co-sculpture artist of President Barack Obama. The 3-D bronze, 30x40in bust, is

Currently on display in the FBI Headquarters Visitors Center.

Established the new page layout and standards for the FBI high-profile brochures and certificates used for agents

and other noted training, graduation ceremonies, and events. The new format reduced preparation time by 60%,

editing time, and ultimately reduced cost by approximately $55K per year and accelerated time to delivery.

Participated in various high-profile art projects representing the FBI during investigations and court proceedings.

Requested by name to assist with the re-opening of the FBI Museum; worked with the curator in preparing exhibits

and setup.

Senior Visual Information Specialist, Band 1 40hr week 7/2000 – 9/2007

Government Accountability Office (GAO), Washington DC

Printing and Graphics #4 (PAG4)

GAO verification of employment: 202-***-****

Responsibilities:

Collaborated with analysts and executives to formulate visual methods to meet reporting goals.

Worked in both capacities as a Visual Information Specialist and Visual Communications Analyst by request

primarily for DCM immediately after the inception of the Product Assistance Group (PAG)

Performed duties as the subject-matter expert (SME), providing consultation and full graphic services for all

levels of the Defense Capabilities and Management (DCM), Acquisition Source Management (ASM),

Information Technology (IT), Applied Research and Methods (ARM), Natural Resources and Environment

(NRE) teams and the Learning Center.

Participated in team meetings and collaborated with analysts to convert quantitative data into charts and graphs

supporting GAO report findings.

Prepared infographics to help the reader identify trends or patterns quickly and clearly.

Applied the appropriate methodologies to complete team requisitions.

Advised the teams on the best formats, concepts, and design style options for communicating the client’s

intended messaging.

Designed and created infographics, maps, graphs, illustrations, and more while maintaining the standards set

by GAO Visual Standards.

Provided basic digital camera training; Adapted complex techniques to modify and enhance photos.

Worked closely with other VIS team members, analysts, CA’s, and VCA’s, sharing skills, knowledge, and

techniques, advice/feedback.

Served as resource expert, providing round table assistance. At the time, it was an informal arrangement to

encourage and share projects for “brainstorming” support. My opportunity to coach and provide overall

support continued consistently outside the scheduled meetings.

Member of VIS/VCA group that tested design options for newer and easier conveyances of report messaging.

Established and implemented a retrievable archive system.

Results:

Selected to support the Office of the Comptroller General, designing and creating highly visible products that were

presented to the President, Congress, and the Public Sector.

Awarded Employee of the Year for two years.

Lead designer for one of the largest weapons reports presented to Congress, prepared by Acquisition Source

Management Team: 80-page, Assessments of Major Weapon Programs, 2003, and 140-page, Assessments of the

Selected Major Weapons Programs, 2005.

For the GAO Training Center, developed and implemented a new, cost-saving process to visually enhance and

streamline training processes for onboarding analysts.

USAF Telecom Operations Specialist (491XO) E-4 Sergeant/ 40+ hr. week 7/1980 – 1/1986

2045th Communication Group, Andrews AFB, Camp Springs, MD

Shift supervisor for 10 airmen, assigned work schedules and annual performance ratings.

Assistant COMSEC Custodian for the Communications center sub-account; Implemented the COMSEC

Customer Education Course for proper inventory, secure handling, and destruction of classified material

and/or equipment.

Initiated the rewrite of the workstation Operations Manual, enabling the development of updated training modules

for each COMSEC position.

Classified courier; 2-person control courier team; classified message processor, COMSEC trainer, and

inventory/destruction specialist. Prepared classified messages for routine and emergency status

transmission; performed daily security and safety checks within the operation’s center environment.

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