Principal Communications Specialist

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 position is an integral part of developing and implementing the internal and external communication strategies for the NNSS, to share that story.

The ideal candidate for this Principal Communications Specialist role will hold a Master's degree, have professional journalism experience and experience with Adobe Creative Suite.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, execute and evaluate communication plans to raise awareness internally and externally of NNSS people, programs and achievements.
• Represent the NNSS in the community, with media, and with government agencies as needed.
• Formulate internal and external communication strategies and concepts to achieve NNSS goals.
• Independently research, interview experts, write and edit content for use in print, video, web and social media, to include news and feature stories, media news releases and pitches, internal employee messaging, presentations, reports, fact sheets, etc.
• Coordinate the creation of brochures, newsletters, fact sheets and other projects with graphic artists, other writers and subject matter experts.
• Provide oversight of NNSS.gov (external website) and inSite (internal website), including writing, updating and maintaining website content.
• Compile and evaluate monthly analytics reports and develop new courses of action to improve performance.
• Develop presentations, video scripts and speaking points for executive communication to both internal and external audiences.
• Manage the NNSS Emergency Public Information program, leading emergency communications efforts as needed.
• Serve as an on-call Public Information Officer for NNSS Emergency Operations Center and spokesperson in the event of an emergency.
• Serve as manager, assistant manager, news manager, news writer and/or employee communications coordinator (as needed) in the NNSS Joint Information Center.
• Coordinate responses media inquiries.
• Participate in and/or lead tours of the NNSS for media or other visitors.
• Develop strategies and procedures to achieve the NNSS’ and company’s communications goals.
• Develop relationships internally and externally as needed to perform work effectively.
• Edit copy for accuracy, grammar and style.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and programs and develop and implement changes as needed to improve effectiveness.
• Take photos of projects, events, employees, etc. as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience with at least 8 years professional experience
• Preferred Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a communications or business-related field and 8 years of professional level experience
    • Highly preferred: Master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field.
  • Experience working as a professional journalist.
  • Experience delivering media training for spokespeople, including subject matter experts.
  • Working knowledge and understanding of NNSS programs, activities and organizations.
  • Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Demonstrated knowledge and practice of journalistic writing, inclu