Technical Communications Specialist

LLNL•Livermore, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Technical Communications Specialist to support the Livermore Information Technology Program (LivIT), with a focus on Super Intelligence (SI), previously referred to as artificial intelligence (AI). The role works with administrative, management, technical, and IT staff to create technical communications, knowledge-management content, user-education materials, and service-adoption communications for technical and non-technical audiences. The position is in the Technical Information Department within the Business Directorate and is matrixed to LivIT. It may be filled at either the G04.2 or G04.3 level, based on knowledge and related experience; the higher level includes additional responsibilities. The position offers a hybrid schedule, combining in-person and virtual work, with flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. The specialist develops and edits content across web and other media, including ServiceNow; translates complex technical information into accessible materials; coordinates communications and user-education projects; and develops project plans and schedules. The role also assesses audience needs, collaborates with subject matter experts, delivers and evaluates learning products, and promotes understanding and adoption of IT services, SI tools, and responsible technology use. At the G04.3 level, the specialist develops complex, multi-author technical content and leads complex communications projects. Responsibilities include defining communications strategies and deliverables with partners, coordinating schedules and reviews, independently assessing audience needs for complex LivIT and SI topics, establishing effectiveness measures, recommending improvements, and leading sophisticated user education and communications for critical IT topics. The employee consults with senior leaders and subject matter experts and uses audience feedback and usage data to improve service-adoption communications.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, information technology, journalism, marketing, education, training and development, a scientific or technical discipline, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in communications or training.
Experience translating complex scientific and technical information for a broad range of users through planning, development, organization, and writing of content across multiple communication platforms, including web and digital media.
Experience applying professional writing and editing techniques for varied media, with comprehensive knowledge of technical language, usage, and style conventions.
Significant experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe software tools, particularly templates, charts, and presentation formats.
Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including knowledge of and experience applying style conventions, professional principles, and technical communication practices and standards.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including ability to work independently and in a demanding team environment, meet tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities.
Strong understanding of costs, processes, timelines, and specifications involved in technical communications, user education, and service-adoption projects.
Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly through writing, editing, presentations, tutorials, demonstrations, and digital communications products.
At the G04.3 level, significant writing and editing experience across a wide variety of scientific or technical areas.
At the G04.3 level, project-management experience leading complex, multifunctional communication projects and teams involving multiple technical groups.
At the G04.3 level, experience translating complex information into communications and user-education materials understandable to business-oriented customers.
At the G04.3 level, experience collaborating with senior managers, clients, team members, peers, and stakeholders to meet organizational and programmatic objectives.
At the G04.3 level, advanced experience independently assessing audience knowledge gaps and communications needs; developing and evaluating complex technical communications and user-education products; and advising stakeholders on communications approaches for SI services and technologies.
At the G04.3 level, demonstrated experience leading complex technical communications or user-education projects, influencing stakeholders without direct authority, and mentoring or providing technical direction to others.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in English, communications, information technology, journalism, marketing, education, training and development, or a related technical area.
Advanced knowledge of or experience working in a service center, customer service, or information technology environment.
Experience in knowledge management, including authoring and updating knowledge base articles and providing guidance to contributors who create knowledge content.
High proficiency in the IT discipline, including SI, with understanding of its technical and business landscape and ability to translate technical concepts, applications, opportunities, limitations, and responsible-use considerations into clear communications and user-education products.

Responsibilities

Edit, organize, and develop technical and nontechnical content for web and other media platforms, including ServiceNow.
Develop original content for internal audiences.
Coordinate communications projects involving service owners, business units, project groups, and multiple contributors, including iterative review.
Translate complex technical information into accessible web copy, newsletters, tutorials, knowledge base articles, user-education materials, and other communications.
Coordinate moderately complex communications and user-education projects, often with quick turnaround times.
Coordinate and evaluate multiple concurrent projects and outcomes; lead ad hoc planning and status meetings.
Develop and implement project plans and schedules for moderately complex projects while meeting cost, schedule, and quality commitments.
Work with LLNL staff at all levels to support Laboratory communications and learning needs.
Assess audience knowledge gaps and communication needs; collaborate with subject matter experts to develop or adapt user-education content, tutorials, job aids, demonstrations, knowledge articles, and feedback methods for IT services.
Deliver and evaluate user-education sessions, demonstrations, tutorials, and other communication-based learning products through in-person, virtual, and digital channels to promote understanding and adoption of IT services, SI tools, and responsible technology use.
At the G04.3 level, develop complex technical content and provide comprehensive writing, editing, and editorial-development services for complex, multi-author communications products.
At the G04.3 level, partner to define technical communications strategies, messages, audiences, and key deliverables for complex and specialized products and projects.
At the G04.3 level, coordinate development, schedules, planning and status meetings, and review of team members’ work.
At the G04.3 level, independently assess audience knowledge gaps and communications needs for complex LivIT services and SI topics.
At the G04.3 level, develop integrated technical communications and user-education approaches, establish measures of effectiveness, and recommend improvements to support service adoption.
At the G04.3 level, lead delivery of sophisticated user education, demonstrations, tutorials, and communications products for critical IT topics; consult with senior leaders and subject matter experts and use audience feedback and usage data to improve communications.
Perform other duties as assigned.