Communications creates and provides strategic communications to the Laboratory’s internal and external stakeholders and collaborators. It sets and implements a cohesive strategy to amplify the visibility of PNNL's research and develops standards and efforts that communicate PNNL’s value proposition. In doing so, Communications enhances the Laboratory’s institutional reputation and science and technology agenda. Further, Communications drives employee-focused communications; leads media and outreach to external stakeholders; supports research through robust technical editing, formatting, and graphics support; and protects the Laboratory's reputation through issues management and transparency with news media.

Job Description

We’re seeking an excellent writer and strategic communicator who can collaborate with our wider communications team to drive outcomes for PNNL’s Earth and Biological Sciences mission. In this role, you will execute communications for a variety of projects, campaigns, events, and deliverables.

Prime candidates will naturally be able to engage, elevate, and inspire others—core tenets of PNNL’s Communications and External Engagement mission. Engage PNNL stakeholders to foster meaningful connections between them and our science and technology mission and accelerate our impact. Elevate our institutional reputation and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to position PNNL as a leader in mission-driven science and innovation. Inspire stakeholders and staff by facilitating and showcasing PNNL’s scientific leadership, national influence, community commitments and service to advance the frontiers of knowledge and our distinguished staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain outstanding collaborative relationships with Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate researchers and with fellow communicators.
• Gather, develop, and edit content for use in various communications materials, including for web, social media, newsletters, and sponsor reports.
• Write internal and external stories that promote PNNL’s research, impact, people, and thought leadership.
• Update and populate internal SharePoint sites with content of interest to researchers and staff.
• Contribute to, edit, style, and distribute internal and external e-newsletters.
• Contribute to and execute communications campaigns of limited scope.
• Imagine and execute communications for designated theme periods and special days (e.g., Earth Day, World Health Day, World Microbiome Day).
• Assist with presentation prep, supplemental materials, and the promotion of talks/engagements for PNNL speakers.
• Support a variety of conferences and events through creative communications approaches.
• Provide communications support for stakeholder visits to the PNNL campus (organization, producing agendas and read-ahead materials, on-site staffing as needed).
• Leverage and maintain familiarity with sponsor nuances, sponsor preferences, and trends in science communications.
• Align with and support the PNNL brand through all communications efforts/products.
• Update your teammates regularly on communications projects, progress, and priorities.
• Take on additional work and duties within job family expectations, as assigned by your line manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Interest in Earth and biological sciences.
• Experience developing science communications.
• Project management skills; able to projectize plans into a suite of scheduled deliverables; familiar with the use of project management tools to track job progress.
• Experience executing communications for events to drive attendance, participation, or visibility.
• Metrics-minded, with an understanding of key performance indicators and calls to action.
• Comfortable working with scientists, engineers, and fellow communicators.
• Experience working with a creative services team/creative director and with a news team.
• Power user of common software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Hubspot).

Not Applicable.

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

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