Director of State and Regional Affairs

Overview

As a National Laboratory, we offer a unique blend of opportunities for the exceptional candidate. This position is responsible for representing the priorities of PNNL to key Washington state and regional stakeholders, including members of the Washington State Legislature and state agencies.

The Director serves to connect PNNL to a variety of constituencies, including northwest area governments, businesses, civic and trade associations.

The ideal candidate will seek opportunities to bring PNNL resources to bear on state and regional issues, and possess strong relationship-building skills as well as a history of building external partnerships and executive-level relationships over time.

As a member of the Communications and External Engagement team, you will help create a strong sense of commitment and belief in the PNNL mission;

assist in accelerating Laboratory growth by advancing and protecting PNNL's reputation; and help generate understanding of the value PNNL brings to the region and the nation.

This position reports to the Executive Director of Communications and External Engagement and will work with a broad range of research leaders and colleagues across the laboratory to develop and deliver an integrated external affairs strategy focusing on Washington state and the Pacific Northwest region for PNNL.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities and accountabilities include :

• Lead PNNL state government strategy development and implementation, including : development of state affairs capabilities and managing deliverables.
• Create, implement, and manage efforts to educate policymakers, including elected officials and their staff, on PNNL expertise through activities such as in-person and virtual briefings, technical assistance, meetings, and site visits.
• Monitor and prepare updates on legislation and policy.
• Manage and inventory PNNL interactions with state officials and staff.
• Manage political and lobbying activities.
• Establish a presence for PNNL in state and regional venues where policy related to PNNL / Battelle interests are formed.
• Develop relationships with key influencers, thought leaders, and stakeholders.
• Advance PNNL strategy and mission objectives among key state and regional stakeholders.
• Advise PNNL executives on state policy and regional issues, supporting interactions with state and regional officials as needed.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across both research and operations directorates to carry out engagement activities.
• Serve as the regional affairs expert to counterparts across Battelle, DOE national laboratories, and PNNL’s institutional partner organizations.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications :

• BS / BA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS / MA and 5+ years of relevant work experience

Preferred Qualifications :

• Established government, business, civic and trade association contacts and networks in the Pacific Northwest region, especially in Washington state.
• Track record of developing and deploying state and regional strategies, with measurable outcomes; skilled at developing strategy and translating it into implementable actions and measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated relationship-building and coalition-building experience and skill
• Superior persuasive written, oral (including public speaking), and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to translate key scientific concepts into lay-level language useful to policymakers and stakeholders
• Experience with Washington state or other state legislative / regulatory processes and politics, including budget, appropriations, and authorization processes
• Demonstrated organizational, research, and analytical skills, as well as initiative and intellectual curiosity
• Experience managing complex and difficult projects or initiatives simultaneously in a rapidly evolving environment
• Ability to travel during peak legislative sessions, key community or committee meetings, hearings, etc.
• Experience in working in policy and / or science and technology environments

Hazardous Working Conditions / Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

Not Applicable.

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage.

Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.

S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options.

PNNL is located in eastern Washington State the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living.

The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial / ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and / or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected] .

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use.

Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a country of risk without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle.

If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave , surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.

Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

Research Associates excluded.

Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience.

This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire.

Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $160,000.00 / Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $264,000.00 / Yr.

J-18808-Ljbffr