Protocol Officer

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

16h • $47,424 - $112,068 • Onsite

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Protocol Officer to work on our External Engagement and Communications team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule on-site with every other Friday off out of the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center (CMESIC) facility on our Idaho Falls campus. Surrounded by some of the West’s most iconic mountains, rivers, and national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Teton), you will be part of the Labwide Communication Services team and report to the Protocol, Hosting and Events Team Lead, with no direct reports. As part of the Tours, Protocol, and Events team in INL’s External Engagement & Communications directorate, the Protocol Officer exercises independent professional judgment to design, coordinate, and deliver high-profile visits, events, and engagements that advance INL’s mission and uphold diplomatic and protocol standards. Under the direction of the Labwide Communications Services manager—and in collaboration with colleagues across the laboratory—the Protocol Officer leads the full lifecycle of visit and event planning, including strategic pre-visit scoping, agenda development, budget management, logistics design, execution oversight, and post-visit reporting. They collaborate with other protocol officers to ensure every VIP visit meets established professional and protocol standards.

Requirements

• Level 1: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant professional field such as communications, public relations, political science, public administration, international relations, hospitality, business, or related disciplines; OR an advanced degree; OR a High School Diploma and six years of progressively responsible relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Foundational professional experience supporting high‑visibility events, stakeholder engagement, protocol-related operations, or multi-step project coordination.
• Level 2: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant professional field such as communications, public relations, political science, public administration, international relations, hospitality, business, or related disciplines plus two years of relevant professional experience; OR an advanced degree plus one year of relevant experience; OR a High School Diploma and eight years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to independently coordinate complex engagements, manage competing priorities, and apply protocol or procedural standards in dynamic operational environments.
• Relevant experience may include professional roles involving protocol or diplomatic coordination, high level event and visit management, executive level communication and coordination, or any position requiring the interpretation of policy and security requirements while planning engagements with senior leaders, dignitaries, officials, or other high-profile visitors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning and operational design of high-visibility VIP visits and events, determining engagement objectives, required participants, and visit structure in alignment with INL’s mission and senior leadership priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison to hosting organizations, gathering requirements and translating technical, mission, or programmatic goals into comprehensive visit agendas and coordinated logistical plans.
• Ensure appropriate diplomatic courtesies, protocol standards, and security-aligned practices are executed for all dignitaries, elected officials, foreign visitors, senior executives, and VIP guests—tailoring engagements to rank, cultural expectations, and clearance levels.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with Protocol, Communications, Hospitality, Facilities & Site Services, Safeguards & Security, and INL Travel to integrate logistics, visitor support needs, facility requirements, transportation, room blocks, and communication needs into cohesive visit experiences.
• Arrange and oversee support services including venue preparation, room configuration, décor elements, A/V and technical support, transportation, catering, and additional logistical components essential to successful visit execution.
• Act as the operational point-of-contact for assigned VIP visits, maintaining situational awareness and exercising real-time discretion to adjust agendas, logistics, or sequencing to address evolving circumstances such as travel delays, security considerations, or sponsor direction.
• Develop and deploy contingency plans using protocol precedent and operational judgment to manage unplanned changes in visitor rank, security posture, timing, or facility availability, ensuring engagements remain safe, compliant, and mission-aligned.
• Execute post-visit responsibilities, including sponsor debriefs, issue resolution, invoice review, payment approval, documentation of outcomes, and identification of process improvements to strengthen INL’s protocol program.
• Model INL’s core values of Excellence, Inclusivity, Integrity, Ownership, Teamwork, and Safety, maintaining a professional presence and high level of composure in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
• Work a flexible schedule, sometimes with short notice, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, to support time-sensitive operational needs.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level