Overview

Executive Assistant to Executive Director of Communications & External Engagement Jobs in Richland at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Overview:

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems, Communications and Information Technology, and Performance Management.

Communications and External Engagement (CXE) engages PNNL staff and key stakeholders to amplify meaningful connections between our science and technology mission to accelerate our impact and elevates PNNL’s institutional reputation and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to position PNNL as a leader in mission-driven science and innovation. CXE also inspires stakeholders and staff by facilitating and showcasing PNNL’s scientific leadership, national influence, community commitments, and service to advance the frontiers of knowledge and our distinguished staff.

Rockstar Rewards:

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

  • Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Responsibilities:

This position serves as a strategic partner and operational extension to the Executive Director for Communications and External Engagement (CXE), enabling the directorate to achieve its organizational, strategic, and operational objectives. The ideal candidate is a productivity partner who anticipates needs, understands directorate and Laboratory strategy, and proactively aligns actions to mission priorities. This role requires the ability to move fluidly between strategic partnership and execution, operating with speed, accuracy, and sound judgment in a complex, fast-paced, and often ambiguous environment.
The Executive Assistant operates with a high degree of autonomy, judgment, and discretion, acting on behalf of the Executive Director to ensure priorities are advanced, decisions are informed, and commitments are executed.
This position serves as a core member of the CXE leadership team, provides support to CXE leadership, and delivers administrative mentorship across the directorate.
This position requires deep understanding of the directorate and Laboratory mission, strategy, policies, and stakeholders to independently prioritize, make decisions, and drive execution. The Executive Assistant is expected to operate with exceptional judgment, initiative, and discretion, including the ability to assess communications, situations, and competing priorities, and to take appropriate action, often without direction.
Responsibilities also include, but are not limited to:
  • Anticipating needs, and emerging issues while managing competing priorities without requiring explicit direction.
  • Developing a deep understanding of the Executive Director’s leadership and engagement style, priorities, and decision frameworks to act with aligned judgment.
  • Managing and shaping how Executive Director’s time, attention, and energy are allocated.
  • Acting on behalf of the Executive Director in prioritizing requests, managing commitments, and driving follow-through while redirecting or reframing requests as appropriate.
  • Independently identify, track, prioritize, and ensure completion of action items.
  • Ensuring quality and timeliness of responses and deliverables across the directorate.
  • Managing Executive Director’s email and using this and other communications as a primary source of insight into priorities, tone, and expectations; drafting and sending communications on behalf of Executive Director as appropriate.
  • Managing correspondence flow and commitments, ensuring responsiveness and alignment.
  • Engaging proactively across the directorate to understand strategy, initiatives, and pressure points.
  • Owning and evolving systems that improve executive and organizational effectiveness, including action tracking and follow-through; communication and workflow management; and meeting structure and effectiveness.
  • Acting as a leader within the directorate, modeling accountability, responsiveness, clarity, and operationalizing PNNL’s WE Culture.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:
  • High school diploma/GED and 12 years of relevant experience in an administrative environment -OR-
  • AA degree or higher and 10 years of relevant experience in an administrative environment.
  • Experience in planning meetings and coordinating travel
  • Experience in a high-paced, constantly changing environment
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting an executive level manager strongly preferred, including acting with delegated authority.
  • Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage complex, fast-moving priorities.
  • Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs and operate with high degree of independence.
  • Systems thinker with track record of improving processes and workflows.
  • High level of initiative, accountability, and follow-through.
  • Ability to make decisions and judgment calls with incomplete information and operate effectively in ambiguity.
  • Ability to build strong relationships and operate effectively across all levels of an organization.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to represent executive voice and intent.
  • Proven ability to build trust, exercise discretion, and handle sensitive information.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel.
  • Proficiency in AI tools.
  • Extensive working knowledge of company policies, procedures, and practices.

Additional Information:

Not Applicable.

Testing Designated Position (TDP):

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, and flexible work schedules. 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 and Equal Employment Opportunity:

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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:

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Title: Executive Assistant to Executive Director of Communications & External Engagement

Company: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Location: Richland

 

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