Digital Communications Specialist

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Prescription Drug Plan

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

401(k) Retirement

Contributory Pension

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory seeks a Digital Communications Specialist to support two directorates by creating, publishing, and maintaining digital content across ORNL’s public website, internal SharePoint, and social channels.

The role involves translating complex scientific information into accessible content, coordinating with leadership and researchers, and contributing to email marketing and newsletters as needed.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in communications, journalism, digital media, marketing, PR, or related field.
• 3+ years creating and maintaining digital content for an organization.
• Hands-on experience in WordPress and SharePoint.

Responsibilities

• Create, edit, publish, and maintain WordPress content for two directorates.
• Maintain internal SharePoint content for employee audiences.
• Apply accessibility, branding, and SEO standards.

Skills

WordPress

SharePoint

Social media content

Video production

Editing

Editorial standards

Education

BA/BS in communications

Tools

WordPress

SharePoint

Video editing software

Job description

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a Digital Communications Specialist to support the Physical Sciences Directorate and the Fusion and Fission Energy Science Directorate. This position resides within the Digital Communications Group in the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate and works in close partnership with the communications leads, writers, researchers, and leadership serving both directorates.

The selected candidate will create, publish, and maintain digital content across ORNL's public website, internal SharePoint environment, social media channels, and short-form video platforms. The role will also contribute to email marketing and newsletter development as needs arise. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing work for two organizations, coordinating priorities and review schedules, and translating complex scientific and technical information into accurate, accessible, and audience-focused content.

The Physical Sciences Directorate advances research in materials, chemistry, nanoscience, soft matter, geoscience, analytical science, and nuclear and particle physics. The Fusion and Fission Energy Science Directorate addresses challenges in fusion energy and current and advanced nuclear research, development, and deployment. Together, their work supports national priorities in energy, security, scientific discovery, and U.S. competitiveness.

The Digital Communications Group leads the strategy and execution of ORNL's public-facing web and social media presence. This role helps ensure that content from both directorates is accurate, timely, discoverable, accessible, and consistent with ORNL's brand and enterprise communications standards.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Create, edit, publish, and maintain content in WordPress for the two directorates, including landing pages, organization pages, research content, staff information, news-related content, and other assigned web materials.
• Create and maintain internal communications content in SharePoint, including pages, resource collections, and other assigned content for employee audiences.
• Apply established standards for digital accessibility and formatting, editorial quality, brand consistency, metadata, and search and answer engine optimization.
• Review web content for accuracy, usability, and continued business need, and coordinate updates, consolidation, or removal with content owners and directorate communications leads.
• Support social media planning and execution by developing content ideas, drafting and adapting copy, preparing visual assets, scheduling posts, and publishing approved content across relevant platforms.
• Monitor basic social media and web performance information and use findings to recommend practical improvements to content, format, timing, and audience engagement.
• Conceptualize, script, film, and edit short-form videos that highlight research, facilities, people, partnerships, and scientific impact in formats designed for digital audiences.
• Complete video production workflows, including interview preparation, lighting, audio capture, editing, captions, review, and final delivery in accordance with ORNL standards.
• Contribute to email marketing and newsletter production, including content development, editing, layout, link and accessibility review, testing, distribution support, and performance evaluation.
• Collaborate with researchers, technical staff, communications professionals, and leadership to translate complex physical, fission, and fusion science into clear and engaging digital content.
• Coordinate assignments, schedules, reviews, and approvals with central communications and the communications leads supporting both directorates, and communicate risks, conflicts, or delays in a timely manner.
• Maintain organized digital files and production assets, including source files, captions, releases, approvals, and final products.
• Stay current on platform changes and digital communications practices and recommend appropriate improvements within established strategies and standards.
• Comply with environment, safety, health, and quality requirements and uphold laboratory values and ethics.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in communications, journalism, digital media, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience creating and maintaining digital communications content for an organization.
• Hands-on experience creating, editing, and publishing content in WordPress and SharePoint.
• Experience developing social media content and supporting organizational publishing workflows.
• Experience producing and editing short-form video for social or other digital platforms, including basic filming, audio capture, and post-production.
• Strong writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information for multiple audiences.
• Ability to work within digital accessibility, web usability, content quality, and brand standards.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments for different internal partners, meet deadlines, and coordinate reviews in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing email campaigns or newsletters, including template-based production, audience segmentation, testing, distribution, and performance reporting.
• Experience working in a research institution, national laboratory, university, government agency, or technology-focused organization.
• Experience using web and social media analytics to evaluate performance and inform content decisions.
• Familiarity with search engine optimization, answer engine optimization, metadata, and content practices that improve digital discoverability.
• Experience creating accessible multimedia content, including captions, transcripts, alternative text, and accessible page structures.
• Experience with professional video editing, graphic design, motion graphics, photography, or digital asset management tools.
• Familiarity with materials science, chemistry, physics, nuclear energy, or fusion energy topics.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following:

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.