Communications Specialist (NWS 00929)

About the Role

The Global Security N Program has an opening for a Communications Strategist. The successful candidate will use scientific expertise to develop accurate, credible, and technically sound communications for a variety of audiences. You will involve creating and refining core narratives, value propositions, and messaging frameworks that clearly convey complex scientific and technical information. You will also define and evaluate communication success metrics, including reach, engagement, comprehension, sentiment, and adoption, and use data-driven insights to continuously improve communication strategies. In addition, the candidate will partner closely with leaders and subject matter experts to develop communication plans that align with organizational goals while accounting for business priorities, risks, and operational constraints.

Essential Duties

• Craft and refine core narratives, value propositions, and message frameworks.
• Create content for use across formats.
• Brainstorm and recommend projects and communication strategies.
• Have extensive knowledge of leadership, management, and team facilitation.
• Interact with senior management and government sponsors.
• Consult with leaders and subject matter experts to understand goals, risks, and constraints, then translate them into communication plans.
• Recommend considerations of communication sequence, tone, and change-readiness to stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver executive-ready briefings, including options, tradeoffs, and recommendations.
• Define success metrics (reach, engagement, comprehension, sentiment, adoption) and produce insights and recommendations.
• Use data and feedback to iterate on messaging and delivery.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD degree and experience in nuclear security, and extensive experience working in a National Laboratory setting for high-level government sponsors.
• Demonstrated experience developing communication strategies and plans for diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to simplify complex content.
• Strong consulting and facilitation skills, with ability to influence without authority.
• Experience using common communication tools and analytics (e.g., intranet/CMS, email platforms, collaboration tools, web and engagement metrics).

Special Requirements

• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be required.
• Pre-employment drug test: External applicants selected for this position will be required to pass a post offer, pre-employment drug test.
• Anticipated Government Clearance Level: Q (position will be cleared to this level). Applicants who are selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matters. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.
• Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE L or Q clearance will be processed/granted.

Pay and Benefits

North Wind offers a competitive pay and benefits package to include health, life, and disability insurance benefits, 401(k) with company match, generous paid leave, and tuition reimbursement for eligible employees. As a company, we are committed to employee wellness, professional development, and work-life balance. We value safety, reliability, and commitment to our people.

This position is short term, maximum 1000 hours per calendar year. Successful candidates will be employees of NWS supporting the missions of their federal client, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, CA. Pay, benefits, Human Resources, and employment management functions are all provided by NWS. As an NWS employee working at LLNL, within the client's environment, you will complete day-to-day tasks with direction from technical personnel directly employed by LLNL.