Job Description
Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Communications Specialist to work on our Nuclear Science User Facilities team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center facility with every or every other Friday off.
The Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center is a joint initiative between Idaho State University (ISU) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) dedicated to strengthening the U.S. domestic supply chain for critical materials essential to energy, defense, and advanced technology sectors.
Idaho National Laboratory needs Communications Specialists to shape compelling narratives that inspire a laboratory at the heart of America's cutting-edge nuclear innovation, crafting messages that help build the laboratory's awe-inspiring legacy of discovery while translating groundbreaking science into impact for national security, energy resilience, and technological leadership. You'll develop and oversee creation of internal and external communication efforts or products, consult on standard methodologies for sharing the organization's successes to help its experts create and tailor messages to effectively reach target audiences, prepare messaging for target audiences, choose effective communications channels, and refine messages to optimize performance while ensuring alignment with laboratory and DOE expectations regarding branding and messaging. Your responsibilities include creating feature stories and news releases, an array of informational products including websites, newsletters, social media, videos, fact sheets, annual reports, and presentations, potentially maintaining a digital content calendar and scheduling posts, partnering with subject matter experts to develop comprehensive reports for the public and critical partners, providing specialized training to employees on developing appropriate messaging, advising leadership on strategy and solutions for achieving outreach goals, managing multiple deliverables simultaneously, developing and sustaining working relationships with counterparts across the laboratory and with external partners, and mentoring junior staff.
Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Develop and/or oversee the creation of internal and external communication efforts or products.
• Consult on standard methodologies for sharing the organization’s successes to help its experts create and tailor their messages to effectively reach target audiences.
• Prepare messaging for target audiences, choose effective communications channels, and refine messages to optimize performance. Ensure alignment with INL and DOE expectations regarding branding, messaging, awareness, and approvals.
• Create feature stories and news releases, an array of informational products (e.g., website(s) and web content, newsletters, social media, videos, fact sheets, annual reports, special reports, images, topical PowerPoint presentations, FAQs, and talking points), special event planning, and activities designed to create internal and external business awareness. May maintain a digital content calendar and schedule posts for social media and the INL website, ensuring INL engages in relevant discussions.
• Partner with subject matter experts to develop comprehensive reports for the public, industry, and critical partners. Ensure technical documents follow appropriate style (i.e., APA, etc.).
• Provide specialized training to employees on developing appropriate messaging to various audiences. Advise employees and managers about how to conduct interviews with the news media, partners, and customers.
• Advise leadership on strategy and solutions for achieving the organization’s outreach goals. Counsel the senior leadership team on all matters with respect to public engagement, crisis communication, and government affairs.
• Manage multiple deliverables simultaneously and anticipate short-, medium-, and long-term communication needs.
• Develop and sustain working relationships with public affairs counterparts across the laboratory, customer agencies, private industry, academia, and state, regional, and federal elected officials.
• Mentor and coordinate junior staff, and act as a liaison to additional resources when necessary.
  

Required

• Level 1: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a relevant field.
• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience. Master’s and 0 years of experience. PhD and 0 years' experience in the degree areas indicated above.
• Relevant experience commensurate with level which includes prior communications experience.
• Experience in writing skills, familiarity with AP Style, and excellent oral, digital, social media, and visual communications skills.
• Depending on work location, qualify as a Radiological Worker I to gain unescorted access to most of the Nuclear and Radiological facilities.
• Depending on work location, qualify for and maintain a position within the INL’s Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center.
  

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• Previous experience with science or engineering public communication.
• Experience and knowledge of nuclear energy.
  

Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires the operation of office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Information

• The pay range for this position is: Level 1 ($47,424 - $92,568) / Level 2 ($57,444 - $112,068). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
  

About Us
Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.
  

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.
INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.
INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.
Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov .
Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Other Information
When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.
INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.