Communications Specialist

We have an opening for a Communications Specialist to support the Executive Communications group in the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC). You will assist with OSC initiatives gathering input from senior leaders in LLNL’s Director’s Office (DO) on integrated communication strategies and deliverables for key institutional priorities. Your work will be performed in collaboration with colleagues in the OSC, the DO and throughout LLNL.

We are seeking an exceptional content strategist, a problem solver and trusted colleague with experience in strategic communications who has the ability to communicate with executives confidently and succinctly. You will work with all levels of management, program leaders, scientists and administrative staff to shape and communicate institutional messaging to effectively reach our stakeholders and a broad-base audience. This position will be in the Technical Information Department matrixed to the Office of Strategic Communications.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experiences as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities, outlined below, will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

You will

• Engage and interact with all levels of administrative, management, scientific and technical staff and team members to understand, define, develop, and establish objectives to form editorial requirements for complex projects.
• Create original content and provide writing and editing services while coordinating a comprehensive range of communication products, including visually engaging presentations, memos, reports, external reviews, stakeholder briefings, and multimedia content.
• Create and refine messaging frameworks that reflect our organization’s mission and values.
• Interpret complex technical ideas or strategies into clear, accurate, relevant and compelling written communications appropriate to target audiences with an emphasis on impact and effectiveness.
• Assist with executive communications planning for short and long-term projects by developing deliverables for high-level strategic communications, managing complex project schedules, tracking resources and coordinating work with others.
• Coordinate projects with multiple authors from concept through completion, including writing, editing, production and distribution. Ensure adherence to style guides and serve as a quality check. Coordinate with contributors from various government, international or commercial entities as needed.
• Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new tools, technologies, and processes; help develop/track metrics and process improvement methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the G04.3 level:

• Serve as a project manager to develop and implement project plans for specialized products. Make commitments on cost, schedule, and set quality standards.
• Provide planning support to senior managers in the development of complex communication materials that recognize the viewpoint of stakeholders and ensure alignment with Laboratory goals and strategies. Act as a liaison ensuring effective and timely communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Use creative, independent thinking to solve complex problems. Work under consultative direction toward project goals and objectives, which frequently have significant impact, high visibility and high consequence of error.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications or journalism or the equivalent combination of education and experience in an area of scientific or technical communication.
• Experience in executive communications, as well as in planning, developing, organizing, and writing technical content effectively across various communication platforms.
• Experience working with graphic design and visualization to maximize effectiveness of communication products.
• Project coordination experience; experience guiding and tracking complex production and scientific/technical writing and editing assignments.
• Editing/writing experience in multiple scientific or technical areas using broad-based professional technical editing/writing skills including advanced knowledge of and experience using style conventions, professional principles and technical communication practices and standards including having work edited and integrating editorial feedback.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills; experience collaborating and communicating with all levels of an organization, including senior managers, clients, team members, peers and stakeholders to meet organizational/ programmatic objectives. Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work independently under minimal direction with significant latitude in determining and planning activities to reach objectives, and ability to work within a team environment.
• Ability to handle classified, unclassified, sensitive and confidential issues with tact, diplomacy and discretion. 
• Demonstrated self-starter, comfortable multitasking with ability to work to deadlines and respond to tight schedules in a rapidly changing environment and attend to intense details with high consequence of error.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, and familiarity with website design, and content management systems.

Additional qualifications at the G04.3 level

• Formal project management experience leading communication campaigns and complex editing/writing assignments. Demonstrated knowledge of print, digital and multimedia production processes.  
• Extensive experience in editing and writing across various scientific and technical fields, applying style conventions and professional standards with a strong commitment to quality control and excellence.
• Experience collaborating and communicating with all levels of an organization, including senior managers, clients, team members, peers and stakeholders to meet organization/programmatic objectives.
• Experience evaluating and implementing new tools, technologies, and processes and tracking metrics.

Qualifications We Desire

• Direct experience as a science communicator.
• Experience with the U.S. national laboratories.
• Advanced degree in English, communications, journalism or a related field.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

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