Manager of Communications and Public Affairs

Be part of the nation’s only repository for the disposal of nuclear waste known as Transuranic (TRU) waste.

Salado Isolation Mining Contractors, managing and operating contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), is seeking a highly experienced and skilled professional to direct its Communications & Public Affairs program in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This position is part of SIMCO’ senior leadership team, and work closely with the DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) to engage with external stakeholders and traditional and nontraditional media to ensure that information disseminated or portrayed about the project is accurate, informative, and timely.

The successful candidate will have deep experience and diverse knowledge in leading all facets of Communications functions inclusive of internal employee communications, public affairs, and community relations with a particular skillsets and proven track record in issues management, proactive media outreach, stakeholder relations, and project management gained by working in complex, highly-visibly environments or large-scale projects with perceived risks.

Essential Job Duties:

Internal Communications:

• Ensures that SIMCO remains the first and best source of information for its employees by actively establishing and managing internal communications channels, publications, and all-workforce meetings.
• Supports SIMCO leadership in employee engagement initiatives, campaigns, and events to promote positive morale and recognition.

Community Relations, Charitable Giving, Education Outreach:

• Oversees SIMCO’s activities to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to promote positive community engagement and educational outreach initiatives.
• Responsible for annual Contractor Community Commitment Plan development and reporting requirements.
• Manages an annual charitable giving budget; and guides and directs standards for reviewing and allocating contributions to community non-profit organizations; and organizing employee-led charitable giving and volunteer campaigns.

Public Affairs:

• Develops and implements with the CBFO a public affairs strategy that engages New Mexico, regional, and national stakeholders through ongoing proactive efforts such as public forums, public education campaigns, briefings, and tours of the WIPP site.
• Develops and guides strategy to measure public awareness of WIPP operations; and leads public education campaigns to effectively communicate about WIPP and its activities.
• Proactively identifies industry events, trade shows, professional societies and other speaking opportunities to share the WIPP mission, vision, and values, and provides counsel to employees and management in preparing for events and advises on strategy and best practices.

Media Relations:

• Develops and implements with the team a media strategy that engages local, regional, national, trade and nontraditional media through ongoing media relations and proactive earned efforts such as pitches, news releases, briefings and visits.
• Provides counsel to employees and senior management in preparing for interviews and advises on strategy and best practices.
• Proactively identifies, tracks and follows through on potential multi-media story ideas to share progress, demonstrate the mission, vision, and values, and recognize employees externally.
• Serves as the primary SIMCO spokesperson and leads the process to respond to media inquiries and requests for information.

Issues Management:

• Collaborates with senior management, SIMCO corporate entities, and the CBFO to identify potential issues, develop mitigation strategies and implement those strategies through communication methods for internal and/or external audiences.
• Manages and executes specific proactive public outreach issues management activities. This includes researching and analyzing complex communications issues, being familiar with project risks and milestones, knowing customer requirements, and having a thorough understanding of technical, legal, and other challenges to achieve successful outcomes of large-scale, highly complex projects.

Social Media, Web, Visual Identity, Graphics, Video, and Photography:

• Directs process to maintain company and project visual identity standards.
• Oversees a digital media strategy that promotes online engagement with responsibility for maintaining company and project external websites and social media.
• Leads staff in developing original graphic designs for online use, presentations, printed displays, brochures, fact sheets, and milestone mementos. This includes photography and video content creation for internal and external use.

Emergency Response Communications:

• Leads process development for emergency response public communications program to employees and the public. Coordinates program development and requirements with Emergency Response Organization and the CBFO.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• This position reports to the SIMCO President and Program Manager.
• This position provides day-to-day management and supervision of SIMCO’s Communications & Public Affairs staff and activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Highly skilled in oral and written communications, and speech writing.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic communications plans and measure results demonstrating value add to organization.
• Proficient user of the Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Experience identifying newsworthy stories, developing them, and pitching and placing them in media outlets.
• Ability to travel within U.S., and work remotely when necessary.
• Ability to develop solutions to problems where guidelines are not well defined.
• Ability to build and manage positive relationships with Communications team members, peers and senior leadership.
• Strong relationship building and management skills.
• Must be self-motivated.
• Ability to excel in a detail-oriented, deadline-drive environment.
• Demonstrated skills in identifying and developing integrated communications campaigns that include digital communications, internal communications, and media outreach.
• Ability to walk on construction and/or mining sites (including some areas of uneven terrain) for extended periods of time.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment in construction and/or mining zone, to include but not limited to, hardhat, safety glasses, reflective vest, and steel-toed shoes.
• Available during non-work hours for on-call and emergency situations.

Exempt Position

Minimum Requirements: These requirements must be met to be considered for this posting. Uploaded resumes and applications are the means of determination.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, or related field with fifteen (15) years of progressive related experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including managing an informal or formal team, assigning and tracking tasks, coordinating with customers or other entities, and delivering results.
• Demonstrated experience in external communications, internal communications, and executive support experience in public affairs issues management, media relations, public information and public affairs management, and communications.
• Experience working with local, regional, national and trade media.

Must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

Higher education attainment than listed acceptable per internal level identifiers of accompanying years of experience.

Preferred Requirements:

• Knowledge of nuclear, security, environmental, energy services industry, and/or experience working in a matrixed organization or government project environment.
• Previous experience with Bechtel.

What we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance:
  • Coverage on date of hire
  • Surgical concierge service
  • EAP services including wellness plans, estate planning, financial counseling and more
• Modern work arrangements to include 4-day workweeks (four 10-hour days)*
• Relocation assistance*
• Shuttle commuter service from the local areas
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement program
• On-site fitness center and other wellness support including some public gym membership reductions
• Company paid short term disability
• Company paid life insurance (1 x annual salary)
• Pension plan that provides monthly annuity after retirement and 401(k) with .50 matching up to 6%
• Voluntary benefits of:
  • Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity
  • Long-term disability program
  • Health and Flexible savings accounts
  • Life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance

• These benefits vary by position.

Minimum salary $131,144 per year of a larger salary range -the specific salary offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors, particularly the candidate’s relevant experience and education. Salary is negotiable and highly competitive.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are an applicant with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact (575) 234-8405 or email wipprecruiting@wipp.ws for assistance. Upon receipt of this information, we will respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Reviews, and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR 707.4, will be conducted by SIMCO and a background investigation by the Federal government may be required to obtain an access authorization prior to employment, and subsequent reinvestigations may be required.

Posting Duration: This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the posting date. SIMCO reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.