Communications Specialist

Full job description What You Will Do This position will be filled at either the Communications Specialist 1/2 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.


Are you a strategic and savvy communicator looking for the perfect opportunity to display your talents? Do you want to be part of a world-class research and development institution solving some of the nation's toughest national security challenges? Do you have a particular interest or background in parks, museums, schools and libraries, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, or tourism? If the answer to these questions is "yes" then we invite you to learn more about two openings in our Public Affairs Group supporting Los Alamos National Laboratory's Bradbury Science Museum and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Los Alamos.


Both the Bradbury and the Manhattan Project Park's audiences range from children and adults who live in Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico to science and history buffs from around the world. Your mission in both positions will be to plan and execute communications products and help facilitate fun, engaging, and educational events about the Lab's cutting-edge science, and our fascinating researchers and history. This is an amazing opportunity to do something great and leave your mark!



Communications Specialist 1 ($63,200 - $99,000)


At the Communications Specialist 1 level, you will be expected to produce communication products such as employee-facing news articles, external webpage news updates, feature stories and newsletters under supervision and with editing support. You will also assist with regular public and employee-facing events, with duties ranging from helping coordinate speakers and publicity to responding to inquiries about attendance. You may also be expected to help develop interpretive material, multimedia content, and edit brochures and publications. The minimum requirements to be hired at this level include a bachelor's degree and at least two years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.



Communications Specialist 2 ($76,900 - $122,200)


If hired at the Communications Specialist 2 level, you will be expected to perform all of the responsibilities of a Communications Specialist 1 and demonstrate more independence, coordinate and lead projects or initiatives, and coach or mentor junior team members. In this role, you will be expected to produce products with some oversight and to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key customers and stakeholders to help them achieve their communication goals. The minimum requirements to be hired at this level include a bachelor's degree and at least five years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.



What You Need Minimum Job Requirements: Communication Planning & Execution


We are looking for a great writer with excellent judgment, able to meet deadlines, and comfortable writing and editing content on a variety of topics and creating products ranging from news and features stories to web content and newsletters.



Audience-Centered Communication


You will need an interest in communicating technical information with diverse audiences (gender, age, experience, background, etc.)



Collaboration & customer service


You will need to be a strong listener and collaborator who is able to work gracefully with multiple stakeholders and provide excellent customer service.



Education/Experience


You will need a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.



Desired Qualifications: Event planning


Experience helping facilitate public meetings and public events would be a plus.



Specialized experience


Experience working in or volunteering with parks, museums, schools or libraries, or for a tourism or visitors' bureau is a bonus.



Web-Based & Multimedia Content


It is a plus if you have experience creating multimedia content (photos, podcast, video, and infographics) for web-based stories and basic familiarity with a web-based content management systems.



Social media and marketing


Experience writing for multiple social media platforms, especially with social media marketing would be helpful in this position.



Note to Applicants: Please attach your resume, a cover letter that addresses how you meet each of the requirements of this position, and three work samples that demonstrate your abilities as a professional communicator. No applicant is expected to have all the desired qualifications, and anyone who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply. Applicants will be asked to take a writing and editing test as part of the selection process. Work Location : The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.



Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Where You Will Work


Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:


§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network


§ Dental and vision insurance


§ Free basic life and disability insurance


§ Paid childbirth and parental leave


§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)


§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance


§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)


§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs


§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.



Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.



Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information. New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.



Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.



Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to or call option 1.