Media Relations Specialist

Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA; on-site position with federal access and identity-verification requirements.

Competitive pay and benefits are offered; no exact salary is listed.

Company

A U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory focused on scientific breakthroughs and solutions for energy, environmental, and national security challenges.

What you will do

• Edit and review external news stories and manage content workflows through Smartsheet.
• Distribute news through internal and external platforms and develop reports measuring news visibility and earned-media value.
• Promote laboratory research, programs, services, activities, and events through publicity campaigns and targeted media strategies.
• Build relationships with local, trade, and national media, respond to inquiries, coordinate interviews, and manage media visits.
• Prepare staff members to communicate effectively with journalists and other external audiences.
• Coordinate multiplatform storytelling and provide communications support during emergency response activities.

Requirements

• BS or BA in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, or a science-related field.
• At least two years of relevant experience.
• Proficiency in Associated Press style guidelines and experience with workflow or project-management platforms such as Smartsheet.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and perform effectively in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge and pass a federal Tier 1 background investigation.
• Visa sponsorship is not available; U.S. federal identification and DOE access requirements apply.

Nice to have

• Experience with social media, content management systems, web analytics, layout, photography, and presentation software.
• Writing samples on scientific or technical topics for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Creativity, attention to detail, and experience planning and implementing public information activities.

Culture & Benefits

• Work focused on scientific impact, integrity, teamwork, safety, service, and equal opportunity.
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, life insurance, disability, and retirement benefits, including a 401(k) and contributory pension plan.
• Vacation, holidays, parental leave, flexible spending and health savings accounts, wellness programs, and educational assistance.
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities, plus legal insurance, employee assistance, relocation assistance, and employee discounts.
• Flexible work hours and a respectful workplace that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Hiring process

• The position remains open for at least five days and closes when a qualified candidate is identified or hired.
• Application documents are accepted in Word, unsecured PDF, RTF, or HTML formats up to 5 MB.