Job Number: 216816
Position: Communications Specialist 3
Company: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
Website: www.lanl.gov/jobs
Salary Band
Minimum: $62,700
Mid: $82,600
Max: $102,200
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter.
Position Overview
The Communications Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a top-notch communicator with deep experience in managing controversial issues - both internally and externally. The Communications Office, which is part of the Communications and Government Affairs Division, provides critical services to LANL and the community by promoting the Lab's accomplishments and facilitating clear, concise, consistent, strategic, and timely communication. The selected candidate will be responsible for a wide variety of communications activities, strategic and tactical, conceptual and deliverable. This position will assist in issues management and crisis communications for the Laboratory. The role will involve planning, writing, coordinating, and executing a variety of internal and external communications on key issues and programs related to the Lab's weapons program. Responsibilities include: Advise key leaders on how best to communicate key initiatives or sensitive issues. Synthesize complex technical issues and subjects for presentation to diverse stakeholders. Serve as a key point of contact with the media on weapons-related topics. Serve as a key developer of weapons-related content (print, online, audio, and video).
Key Position Requirements
Wide-ranging experience, including media relations and opinion research. Demonstrated ability to use best practices to anticipate and resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and sharp editing skills. Ability to coach and counsel credibly. Politically astute. Highly developed interpersonal skills. Proven ability to develop and execute results-driven communications strategies that are aligned with business goals and objectives. Ability to plan and implement communication projects and ensure completion within deadlines and budgets. Works well independently and excels both as a leader and a teammate. Previous experience successfully handling multiple projects. Must either possess or be able to obtain a Department of Energy Q security clearance. Must subscribe to the values and leadership covenants expressed in the charter of the Communications and Government Affairs Division: http://int.lanl.gov/orgs/cga/docs/CGA_charter.pdf
Summary
Responsible for a wide variety of internal and external communications activities, strategic and tactical, conceptual and deliverable. Attains measurable results and improves continuously.
Considered an expert. Has wide-ranging experience, uses best practices to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Has a sophisticated understanding of Laboratory objectives, organizational relationships inside and outside the Laboratory, and highly developed interpersonal skills. Adept at solving a wide range of complex problems. Frequently innovates and contributes to the development of new and improved approaches. Works well independently. Work products generally require little if any rework. Actively attaining management and leadership skills. May direct or coordinate activities of other personnel. Effective at giving and receiving coaching and constructive criticism. Typically requires at least eight years of related experience.
Job Duties
- Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
- Contributes articles to employee publications and other media, including the Laboratory Web site variously conceiving, writing, editing, securing approvals.
- Plans internal and external communications programs and campaigns.
- Contributes ideas and work products to help achieve Labwide communications plan.
- Plans and writes news releases.
- Develops responses to media inquiries and questions or requests from the general public.
- Speaks and writes on behalf of the Laboratory as required.
- Writes and contributes to position papers and white papers.
- Contributes to and draws from CGA database.
- Contributes to executive communications plans, products, and feedback mechanisms.
- Conceives and executes marketing communications products as required.
- Coordinates, as appropriate, with the Government Affairs Office.
- Coordinates as appropriate with NNSA and other customers.
- Helps anticipate and manage public affairs and employee issues.
- Learns, uses, and teaches others to use CGA issue management tools.
- Participates in emergency and crisis communications preparedness and execution.
- Researches and applies best practices to his or her work.
- Understands and adheres to applicable Laboratory and regulatory guidance and governance.
- Ensures that all work processes and products meet established requirements.
- Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.
Job Knowledge
- Outstanding writing and editing skills
- Excellent oral communications abilities
- Ability to translate technical concepts and material into compelling and persuasive communications products
- Sound knowledge of business practices
- Sound knowledge of the news business
- Sound knowledge of marketing communications practices
- Degree in communications, journalism, English, business--or equivalent experience
- Relevant communications experience in corporate, government, university, or journalistic settings
- Good computer skills
- Working knowledge of the World Wide Web
Desired Traits:
- Demonstrates mature judgment
- Meets commitments
- Takes initiative
- Strategic outlook
- Precision
- Strives for continuous improvement
- Demonstrates appropriate assertiveness
- Works collaboratively
- Effectively organizes and manages multiple critical activities
- Effectively gives and receives feedback
- Adheres to CGA's behavioral covenants
Education
- Position typically requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum eight years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate degree or postgraduate coursework may be desirable.
Direction
A. Supervision Received
- Receives functional and operational direction from manager 4.
B. Supervision Exercised
- Provides functional and operational direction to the work of administrative or matrixed personnel, if assigned.
C. Contacts
- Maintains regular contact with internal customers, external customers, Laboratory management, Communications Office colleagues, journalists, and editors.
This description is not intended to be a complete statement of every aspect of the position, but rather to act as a guide to the essential functions to be performed. Assigned functions of this job may vary, and other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or changed at the discretion of management.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a pre-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
Government Conflict of Interest
To ensure that you and LANL avoid any potential conflicts of interest, all current/former Government Officials must read and respond, if applicable, to the LANL Applicant Disclosure Form (located on the LANL jobs website www.lanl.gov/jobs under the job #216816).
Contact
For specific questions about the status of this job, call (505)664-6947.
How to Apply
Apply on-line at www.lanl.gov/jobs to job number 216816.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's NNSA. AA/EEO.
