State and Community Communication Liaison

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.

Minimum Requirements:

Level 3-Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or relevant field and 5 years of relevant experience or a Masters Degree and 2 years of relevant experience.

Level 4-Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or relevant field and 9 years of relevant experience or a Masters Degree and 6 years of relevant experience.

Relevant experience commensurate with level which includes prior communications experience.

Experience in writing skills, familiarity with AP Style, and excellent oral, digital, social media and visual

communications skills.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 3 ($65,064-$133,416) / Level 4 ($77,628 -$159,228). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel,

bend, and work in an office environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials,

manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires the operation of office equipment. The employee must

occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with assistance. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform

the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.
INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements
To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information
When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.