Principal Communications Specialist - Internal Communications

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

The Communications department tells the story of the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) to internal and external audiences, shaping our image and advancing our national security mission. This Principal Communications Specialist role is an integral part of developing and implementing the internal communication strategy for the NNSS, to share that story.

 

The specialist in this role will oversee all internal communications, reporting to the manager of Communications.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

The overall goals of the position are to: 1) identify internal audiences for communication and information products, 2) work with internal departments and leadership for concise and streamlined communications to the NNSS workforce, including enterprising articles about the workforce and mission, and 3) implement concise, consistent messaging that meets the company approved language and eliminates jargon that does not comply with the Associated Press Style Guide or the company style guide.

 

Specifically:

• Assess and execute all internal communication needs within the organization. 
• Act as the main internal communications point-of-contact.
• Offer consultation on projects and provide strategic direction and communication execution.
• Oversee the operation and updating of the internal website, including creating regular employee-facing content. 
• Manage the content on all signage and work to ensure digital signage is displayed and functioning properly.
• Maintain continuity of voice, feel, and style of content.
• Develop relationships with all employee groups and implement communication strategies that connect employees to each other and the mission.
• Develop presentations, video scripts, and speaking points for executive communications to employees.
• Support the planning and execution of internal events, such as all hands and small group meetings, and other official activities.
• Develop and manage content for internal communication channels, such as the intranet, digital signage, video and photo, communication slides, email campaigns, etc.
• Work with the Communications team, maintaining communications style guides.
• Keep up-to-date with company, industry, and business trends and offer recommendations based on these insights.
• Make recommendations and proactively implement new internal communications ideas, projects, platforms, etc.
• Identify internal communication strategies that are underperforming and improve or replace them with new ideas.
• Take initiative, think innovatively and be a positive influence on the team and company.
• Serve as a member of the NNSS Emergency Public Information cadre.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience with at least 8 years professional experience.

• Minimum 8 years’ professional-level experience in internal communications.

  • Preferred Education and Experience:

    • Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications or related field, preferred.

      • Highly preferred: Master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field.

    • Experience in a corporate environment.

    • Experience working in a federal government environment.

    • Experience as a working journalist or significant contributor in a public relations firm.

    • Working knowledge and understanding of NNSS programs, activities, and organizations.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated knowledge and practice of journalistic writing, including mastery of Associated Press Style.
• Attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint and Teams.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization and build collaborative professional relationships.

• Strategic and action oriented, able to quickly shift priorities, manage interruptions and meet deadlines.

   

• The primary work location will be at the Losee Road facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Work at the Nevada National Security Site (located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada) is required in support of these functions.     
• Work schedule will be 4/10s Monday through Thursday (subject to change).
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

 

Department of Energy L Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

  

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

 

Annual salary range for this position is: $101,982.40 - $155,521.60.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity.