Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is seeking a seasoned communications specialist to serve as a State and Community Communication Liaison to support our state and local government affairs, economic and workforce development and community giving departments. By developing materials, messaging, and strategic communication plans that engage audiences and convey our impact, the communication specialist will play a pivotal role in advancing our laboratory’s goals to develop a robust energy and security workforce in Idaho. Our team works a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off. This position can be located in Boise or Idaho Falls, Idaho. You will have a strong background in communications, with excellent written and verbal skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently. Proficiency in both traditional and new communication tools and a solid understanding of best practices in both external and internal communications and engagement are essential. Experience in economic or workforce development, higher education, energy, or non-profits is preferred, as the specialist will need to communicate complex information effectively with multiple organizations and partners. If you are looking for a job that builds positive change and helps share progress toward INL’s vision of changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation’s critical infrastructure, this position is for you. Responsibilities Include: You will create and edit content for various communication channels, such as presentations, reports, articles, websites, newsletters, social media, and videos. This role extends beyond product development and messaging to include strategic relationship and partnership building. The candidate should be adept at leveraging influence to advance the laboratory’s goals and be recognized as a strategic connector and cultural contributor, crucial for amplifying our impact and driving collaborative initiatives. The communications specialist will design and implement internal and external communication plans that support organizational goals and initiatives, working closely with lab leadership and external partners to ensure messaging and strategic priorities are aligned. You will evaluate and improve communication processes and tools to enhance information dissemination and audience engagement. The specialist will work with cross-functional teams to collect and distribute relevant information, providing communication support for various communities and partner organizations. You will monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication efforts, using data and analytics to inform and refine communication strategies. Regular updates and reports on communication activities and outcomes will be provided to leadership to ensure continuous improvement. A key part of this role will be supporting communication activities around the startup and operation of the Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute at the College of Eastern Idaho, expected to open in Fall 2026. The institute will serve as a center for workforce development, connecting students to real-world learning and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math. As the communications specialist, you will help develop the institute’s communication strategy, including messaging objectives, progress, and impact, ensuring stakeholders are informed and engaged. Additionally, you will support the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, a non-profit focused on promoting energy security and advanced nuclear technologies, of which INL is a member. Additional Responsibilities: - 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 digital content calendar, and schedule posts for social media and - INL website, that ensure INL engages in relevant discussions. - Partner with subject matter experts to develop comprehensive reports for the public, industry, and critical - stakeholders. 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, stakeholders, 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. - Other duties as assigned.
