Magazine Editor/Science Writer

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$86,910 - $112,584 Annually for the G02.2 level

$104,370 - $135,192 Annually for the G02.3 level

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

We have an opening for a Magazine Editor/Science Writer and contributor to the Laboratory’s prestigious publication-of-record: Scientific & Technology Review (S&TR). You will be working with scientists, engineers, and other contacts across multiple scientific areas (such as physics, engineering, chemistry, and computer science) to develop content for the publication. You will team with other production editors to produce eight magazine issues a year, write articles about Laboratory science and programs for the magazine, and coordinate the work of authors and contributors, designers, web and visualization experts to develop content and consistently deliver a quality publication aimed at a wide range of audiences (from high school students to Congressional staffer to senior scientists and technical experts). In addition to your contributions to S&TR, you will create content for publications, proposals, brochures, posters, web and video content, and presentations for various programs across the Lab. This position is in the Technical Information Department within the Business Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will…

• Interpret complex technical information and translate into various forms (e.g., Web copy, online newsletters, flyers, slide presentations) of easily understandable and non-technical communications.
• Work effectively with LLNL staff members of all levels to support the Laboratory and its communications needs.
• Coordinate complex production jobs, often with a publication team of editors, designers, animators, web developers, and/or printers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Provide comprehensive writing and editing services for large and/or complex projects, potentially involving Web and other media platforms.
• Coordinate, direct, and evaluate the progress of multiple, simultaneous projects and results achieved, often guiding the work of other professionals.
• May perform basic HTML editing using text editors and content management systems such as Dreamweaver, Drupal, Liferay, and WordPress, and develop UX based information architecture for complex websites, and work with designers to integrate content.
• Work with authors, project groups, divisions, or departments to coordinate communications projects; tasks include assessing incremental input and multiple manuscript iterations and developing communication styles for technical and possibly sensitive material.
• Serve as a final quality check for all production assignments through interactions with the Print Plant, designers, website developers, or multimedia professionals on complex production jobs.
• Engage as an in-house consultant, including discovery interviews, project scoping (hours, duration), project tracking, status meetings/stakeholder communication, and final delivery/submission.

In addition at the G04.3 Level

• Develop and create original complex technical content, provide writing and editing services, and/or coordinate the full spectrum of editorial and communication services (e.g., conducting interviews with scientists and writing articles, writing and editing content for reports, presentations, Web-based projects, and social media).
• Partner with web administrators on the development, navigation, content, and functionality of websites, including information architecture, quality assurance testing and release to production.
• Serve as project manager by defining technical communications strategies, messages, audiences, and key deliverables for a variety of complex and specialized products/projects; coordinate all aspects of development, schedule and lead planning and status meetings, and review work of team members.

Qualifications

• Significant experience with Microsoft Office and Adobe software tools, particularly with templates, charts, and various presentation formats Knowledge of content management systems (WordPress and Drupal) and experience modifying HTML with Dreamweaver or similar html editor tools.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including ability to work both independently and within a demanding team environment in order to meet tight deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• Bachelor’s Degree in English, communications, journalism, engineering or scientific area, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in the area of technical communication.
• Experience in publishing, and familiarity with cadences and opportunities within magazine strategies.
• Experience leading production and technical writing and editing assignments. Understands the costs, processes, timelines, and specifications involved in various print and electronic delivery methods.
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience using style conventions, professional principles, and technical communication practices and standards.
• Experience as a technical writer/editor, planning, developing, organizing, and writing content effectively across various types of communication platforms, including web and digital copywriting, across multiple scientific and/or technical communication areas.
• Experience using effective professional writing/editing techniques for a variety of media including comprehensive knowledge of technical language, usage, and style conventions.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

In addition at the G04.3 Level

• Project management experience leading complex multi-functional publishing projects and teams with multiple technical groups in order to translate and develop communication materials that are easily understood by business-oriented customers including establishing team commitments of cost, schedule, and quality.
• Significant writing and editing experience in a wide variety of scientific areas or technical areas.
• Experience collaborating with senior managers, clients, team members, peers, and stakeholders to meet organizational/ programmatic objectives.

Qualifications We Desire…

• Advanced degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Engineering, or in a related technical scientific area.
• Experience working on and developing content for websites; experience with HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, XML/XSL, WordPress, and/or Drupal. Familiarity with UX principles, user research and user testing.
• Experience in journalism, marketing/branding and/or social media.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• 401(k)
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Relocation Assistance
• Flexible Benefits Package
• Education Reimbursement Program

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Beware of Fraudulent Job Postings. LLNL’s hiring practices:

• Never requires job applicants to pay an application/training fee or submit personal documents like bank account details, passport number, Social Security number, tax forms or credit card information as part of the application process.
• Encourages all applicants to visit LLNL’s careers page at www.llnl.gov/join-our-team/careers if they saw the job posting on another site prior to applying to ensure the job posting is accurate and valid.
• Involves at least one interview (virtual or in-person) and never interviews job applicants through chat platforms such as Google Hangouts, or via correspondence through text and instant messaging systems.
• Only sends email communications to job applicants from domain “@llnl.gov” or via their applicant tracking system, [email protected]. Occasionally LLNL uses third-party vendors that will contact you about job opportunities. If a recruiter contacts you to apply, you will always be directed to our career page to apply through our career site.
• For interviews and to be granted access to a Federal facility, a LLNL employee will contact you directly to collect visa, passport number, and/or Social Security number. To vet the authenticity of the employee please have them provide you their name and phone number and verify at people.llnl.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.