Protocol Officer

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Protocol Officer to work on our External Engagement and Communications team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule on-site with every other Friday off out of the Critical Materials and Energy Systems Innovation Center (CMESIC) facility on our Idaho Falls campus. Surrounded by some of the West's most iconic mountains, rivers, and national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Teton), you will be part of the Labwide Communication Services team and report to the Protocol, Hosting and Events Team Lead, with no direct reports.

As part of the Tours, Protocol, and Events team in INL's External Engagement & Communications directorate, the Protocol Officer exercises independent professional judgment to design, coordinate, and deliver high-profile visits, events, and engagements that advance INL's mission and uphold diplomatic and protocol standards.

Under the direction of the Labwide Communications Services manager-and in collaboration with colleagues across the laboratory-the Protocol Officer leads the full lifecycle of visit and event planning, including strategic pre-visit scoping, agenda development, budget management, logistics design, execution oversight, and post-visit reporting. They collaborate with other protocol officers to ensure every VIP visit meets established professional and protocol standards.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic planning and operational design of high-visibility VIP visits and events, determining engagement objectives, required participants, and visit structure in alignment with INL's mission and senior leadership priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison to hosting organizations, gathering requirements and translating technical, mission, or programmatic goals into comprehensive visit agendas and coordinated logistical plans.
• Ensure appropriate diplomatic courtesies, protocol standards, and security-aligned practices are executed for all dignitaries, elected officials, foreign visitors, senior executives, and VIP guests-tailoring engagements to rank, cultural expectations, and clearance levels.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with Protocol, Communications, Hospitality, Facilities & Site Services, Safeguards & Security, and INL Travel to integrate logistics, visitor support needs, facility requirements, transportation, room blocks, and communication needs into cohesive visit experiences.
• Arrange and oversee support services including venue preparation, room configuration, decor elements, A/V and technical support, transportation, catering, and additional logistical components essential to successful visit execution.
• Act as the operational point-of-contact for assigned VIP visits, maintaining situational awareness and exercising real-time discretion to adjust agendas, logistics, or sequencing to address evolving circumstances such as travel delays, security considerations, or sponsor direction.
• Develop and deploy contingency plans using protocol precedent and operational judgment to manage unplanned changes in visitor rank, security posture, timing, or facility availability, ensuring engagements remain safe, compliant, and mission-aligned.
• Execute post-visit responsibilities, including sponsor debriefs, issue resolution, invoice review, payment approval, documentation of outcomes, and identification of process improvements to strengthen INL's protocol program.
• Model INL's core values of Excellence, Inclusivity, Integrity, Ownership, Teamwork, and Safety, maintaining a professional presence and high level of composure in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
• Work a flexible schedule, sometimes with short notice, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, to support time-sensitive operational needs.

Required:

Level 1: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant professional field such as communications, public relations, political science, public administration, international relations, hospitality, business, or related disciplines; OR an advanced degree; OR a High School Diploma and six years of progressively responsible relevant experience in lieu of a degree. Foundational professional experience supporting high visibility events, stakeholder engagement, protocol-related operations, or multi-step project coordination.

Level 2: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant professional field such as communications, public relations, political science, public administration, international relations, hospitality, business, or related disciplines plus two years of relevant professional experience; OR an advanced degree plus one year of relevant experience; OR a High School Diploma and eight years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree. Experience must demonstrate the ability to independently coordinate complex engagements, manage competing priorities, and apply protocol or procedural standards in dynamic operational environments.

Relevant experience may include professional roles involving protocol or diplomatic coordination, high level event and visit management, executive level communication and coordination, or any position requiring the interpretation of policy and security requirements while planning engagements with senior leaders, dignitaries, officials, or other high-profile visitors.

Job Information:

• The pay range for this position is: Level 1 ($47,424 - $92,568) / Level 2 ($57,444 - $112,068). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires the operation of office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.