Public Information Officer

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

$107,544 - $133,524 - Annually

Job Description

The Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) has an opening for a Public Information Officer. With limited direction from OSC leadership, this position performs a full array of public information activities. The individual will prepare news and feature articles, press releases, fact sheets and other communications to interpret Laboratory programs and policies to employees, media, other organizations, and the general public. This individual will be responsible for recommending, developing and implementing communication strategies for complex issues. They will interact with a variety of audiences and stakeholders, both internal and external to the Laboratory, including the news media and the general public, to respond to inquiries and to identify and resolve complex issues.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Work closely with OSC leadership to frame public relations and related communication strategies, story development, and content creation. Contribute to the creation of social media and other digital content.
• Plan, lead, oversee, and participate in complex projects with multiple and conflicting deadlines, and guide them through to successful completion.
• Initiate, develop, and implement appropriate communications around news events, e.g. news conferences/media events, news releases, press kits and digital content.
• Design communication plans and provide counsel to Laboratory management and personnel on appropriate communication response and strategies.
• Write professional-quality, factually correct articles that translate highly complex concepts in science and technology to the general public following standard journalistic style.
• Develop strong working relationships with programs, organizations, and senior managers throughout the Laboratory to facilitate a broad variety of communications initiatives. Serve as spokesperson and/or duty officer.
• Develop contacts in news media, build and maintain relationships, and propose and pitch stories on relevant topics.
• Serve as a member of the Laboratory's emergency response team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field, or an equivalent combination of progressive competence, work-related experience, education, and training.
• Experience as a journalist, public relations/affairs specialist, or professional writer/editor.
• Experience and knowledge of social media and digital tools and their application in a professional/business/academic environment.
• Significant storytelling expertise, with preferred experience in translating complex technical topics for a variety of audiences.
• Experience with tight deadlines, beats, specialized areas of coverage, and establishing relationships with media contacts while handling multiple assignments.
• Strong project management skills with experience directing the efforts of others.
• Advanced level written and verbal communication skills, and knowledge and expertise in complex communication methods and techniques, with a drive for quality control and excellence.
• Strong interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy to effectively interact with all levels at LLNL, the media, and the general public.

Qualifications We Desire

• Direct experience as a science communicator.
• Experience with the U.S. national laboratories.
• Deep understanding of the nuclear weapons complex, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy.

Additional Information

#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, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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.

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.

CaliforniaPrivacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitlesjob 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 .