Communications Specialist/Communications Manager

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range

$107,550 - $133,524 Annual at theG04.3 level

$129,030 - $160,188 Annual at the G04.4level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Communications Specialist/Communications Manager to support communications for different functional areas related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science (AI/ML/DS), specifically through sister organizations Data Science Institute and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Incubator. You will work with authors, project groups, divisions, and/or centers/institutes to coordinate wide-ranging and complex projects, including web, print collateral, video, recruiting material, and special event support. You will assist with initiatives gathering input from AI/ML/DS technical leaders on integrated communication strategies and deliverables for key institutional priorities.

We are seeking an exceptional writer/editor, problem solver and trusted colleague with experience in strategic communications and the ability to communicate with executives confidently and succinctly. You will work with all levels of management, program leaders, scientists and administrative staff to communicate initiatives, programmatic strategies, and highly complex scientific and technical information to a wide range of technical and non-technical audiences. This position will be in the Technical Information Department matrixed to the Computing Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will:

• Develop original content, provide writing and editing services, and help create and coordinate a full spectrum of communication products (news releases, presentations, administrative memos, reports, external reviews, social media, stakeholder briefings, web copy, and multimedia content).

• Collaborate 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.

• 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.

• Work with LLNL senior leaders to develop communication materials that recognize the viewpoint of stakeholders and ensure their consistency with Laboratory goals and strategies.

• Partner with managers, team members and peers to define communication strategies, messaging, audiences and key deliverables for a variety of complex and specialized projects to meet programmatic objectives.

• Assist with 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 complex documents or projects with multiple authors who may be affiliated with other government, international or commercial entities.

• Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new tools, technologies, and processes; help develop/track metrics and process improvement methods.

• Oversee all aspects of print, multimedia and web-based publishing from concept through scheduling, writing, editing, review, production, printing and distribution, and/or web publishing; adhere to style guides and standards for communication products and serve as final quality check for all production assignments.

• Lead ad hoc planning and status meetings and participate in programmatic and administrative meetings.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

In addition, at the .4 level

• Provide consultation and planning support to senior managers in the development of highly complex communication materials and presentations that recognize the viewpoint of stakeholders and ensure consistency with Laboratory goals and strategies. Act as a communication liaison in ensuring effective and timely communications with internal and external stakeholders.

• Work with senior management and subject matter experts to devise and lead strategic communication plans and projects, which may require working with individuals affiliated with other government, academic, or commercial entities.

• Serve as a resource to programmatic staff, subject matter experts, authors, and technical reviewers regarding technical communications techniques, processes, and cost-effective alternatives to producing a variety of products, including manuscripts, reports, presentations, social media, and web-based content.

• Use creative, independent thinking to solve complex problems. Serve as an expert-level communications resource and subject area expert. Work under consultative direction toward goals and objectives for projects, which frequently have significant impact, high visibility, and high consequence of error.

Qualifications

• 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 types of communication platforms.

• Project management experience leading complex production and technical writing and editing assignments.

• Significant 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Adobe Creative Cloud software suite, and familiarity with website design, and content management systems.

In addition, at the .4 level

• Significant experience in executive communications. Experience developing and managing budgets.

• Significant experience identifying and implementing technology solutions to meet requirements.

• Advanced knowledge of and experience using style conventions, professional editing/writing skills in a wide variety of scientific areas and experience working with highly visible and sensitive technical content. Expertise in the theory and techniques of high-quality technical communication for print, multimedia and web-based publications.

Qualifications we desire

• Advanced degree in English, communications or journalism.

• Advanced experience in scientific or technical communication and familiarity with UX principles, user research and user testing.

• Understanding of LLNL's mission of enabling U.S. security and global stability and resilience by empowering multidisciplinary teams to pursue bold and innovative science and technology.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under "Find Your Job" of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

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.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

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