Communications Specialist (BESSD)

Requisition Id 16850 

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Communications Specialist to develop and execute communications strategies that advance the visibility and impact of research programs within the Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate (BESSD). This position resides within the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate.

BESSD advances scientific discovery and delivers innovative solutions to critical challenges in energy, environment, biotechnology, and health. This position will support communications for the Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL), a facility that provides users with state-of-the-art capabilities to rapidly measure and analyze plant traits. The position will also support applied research programs focused on water power technologies and advanced feedstocks that contribute to a more secure energy future.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary communications partner for APPL and ORNL’s Water Power Program. Working under the direction of the BESSD Communications Lead, they will exercise sound independent judgment in managing day-to-day communications activities while ensuring work aligns with directorate priorities and overall communications strategy. They will coordinate with facility and program leaders, build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, develop compelling content, and represent the organization during tours and visits.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary communications contact for the Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL), coordinating communications activities that increase awareness and engagement among user communities, sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary communications contact for assigned research programs, exercising independent judgment in planning and executing communications activities while working within established strategic direction.
• Develop and execute communications strategies that highlight scientific advances, staff achievements, and program impacts from APPL, water power, and advanced feedstocks research.
• Collaborate with the BESSD Communications Lead to ensure communications activities align with directorate strategy, institutional priorities, and sponsor needs.
• Build productive relationships with researchers, program managers, communications colleagues, sponsors, and external collaborators to identify and communicate significant scientific achievements.
• Independently manage communications projects from concept through execution while balancing multiple deadlines and competing priorities.
• Translate complex scientific and technical concepts into clear, engaging content for audiences ranging from policymakers and sponsors to media and the general public.
• Write and edit a wide range of communications products, such as website and newsletter content, social media posts, feature articles, science highlights, news releases, marketing content, video scripts, and communications to sponsors that align with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and digital communications staff to produce integrated communications products.
• Plan and coordinate communications activities supporting research milestones, scientific conferences, special events, and high-profile visits.
• Lead tours of research facilities for public audiences and assist with planning, coordination, and talking points for sponsor visits and other high-profile tours, tailoring presentations to each audience.
• Identify emerging communications opportunities and recommend approaches that enhance organizational visibility and effectively communicate research accomplishments.
• Track communications outcomes and evaluate effectiveness using appropriate metrics.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, science communication, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional communications experience, preferably supporting science, engineering, government, higher education, or other technical organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand emerging scientific research and translate it into compelling communications products.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish productive working relationships across all organizational levels.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience communicating complex technical or scientific information to diverse audiences.
• Experience supporting federally funded research organizations, national laboratories, universities, or government agencies.
• Familiarity with Department of Energy research programs and sponsors.
• Demonstrated success working with a scientific user facility that enables external researchers to access key capabilities.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

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.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.