Occurrence Investigator (Contractor Assurance Specialist 2)
- Req. Number: IRC141900
- Organization : IQPA-PA/IQPA-Performance Assurance
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Salary: $85,900 - $139,900
- Recruiter Name: Hamilton, Junior Victor Edward
- Recruiter Email: jhamilton@lanl.gov
What You Will Do
Apply your investigative and analytical skills to work that truly matters. Los Alamos National Laboratory - one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions in the world - is seeking a Contractor Assurance Specialist 2 (CAS-2) to join the Institutional Reporting Team (IRT). The IRT is responsible for the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS) and conducts causal analyses that support the Laboratory's abnormal events and issues management process.
This is investigative work with a purpose. In this role, you will investigate events, gather facts, interview those involved, and analyze what happened and why. You will develop clear, accurate reports and causal analyses that help leaders make informed decisions, strengthen operations, and reduce risk. Your work supports continuous improvement, operational excellence, and ultimately the Laboratory's national security mission. If you enjoy asking important questions, connecting details, and producing high-quality work that influences real outcomes, this role offers both challenge and growth.
Salary Range (CAS-2): $85,900 - $139,900
Typical Responsibilities (CAS-2)
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Contractor Assurance System: Working knowledge in one or more CAS-related areas such as audits and assessments; lessons learned; metrics/trending/analysis; risk analysis; issues and corrective actions management; process improvement; investigations or compliance; Operating Excellence.
Investigation & Regulation: Experience investigating abnormal events and/or applying complex regulatory requirements, including working with operations and SMEs to capture accurate event facts.
Causal Analysis: Experience gathering and assessing event information and applying at least one formal causal analysis method (5-Why, change analysis, barrier analysis, Ishikawa, events and causal factor charting).
Reporting & Technical Writing: Ability to write clearly, concisely, and accurately with minimal editorial revision while meeting DOE reporting requirements.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to facilitate discussions, and demonstrated success working independently and with teams.
Presentations: Experience preparing and delivering briefings to varied audiences.
Customer-Focused Interactions: Experience advising and coaching customers on abnormal event matters while promoting continuous improvement and institutional learning.
Education/Experience (CAS-2): Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 5 years related experience in organizational-level performance-based management, quality, and/or a technical discipline related to area of assignment; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Notes to Applicants: Applicants are encouraged to include a comprehensive cover letter addressing how they meet the required and desired skills.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
Apply your investigative and analytical skills to work that truly matters. Los Alamos National Laboratory - one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions in the world - is seeking a Contractor Assurance Specialist 2 (CAS-2) to join the Institutional Reporting Team (IRT). The IRT is responsible for the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS) and conducts causal analyses that support the Laboratory's abnormal events and issues management process.
This is investigative work with a purpose. In this role, you will investigate events, gather facts, interview those involved, and analyze what happened and why. You will develop clear, accurate reports and causal analyses that help leaders make informed decisions, strengthen operations, and reduce risk. Your work supports continuous improvement, operational excellence, and ultimately the Laboratory's national security mission. If you enjoy asking important questions, connecting details, and producing high-quality work that influences real outcomes, this role offers both challenge and growth.
Salary Range (CAS-2): $85,900 - $139,900
Typical Responsibilities (CAS-2)
- Conduct occurrence investigations for ORPS-reportable events, gathering facts, interviewing involved workers and witnesses, coordinating SME input, and establishing accurate event timelines to support reporting requirements.
- Develop and submit ORPS reports, including initial, update, and final reports, ensuring factual accuracy, classification review, and compliance with DOE O 232.2A reporting timelines; revise and resubmit reports to address DOE/NNSA feedback.
- Perform causal analyses using a graded approach, selecting analytical methods (e.g., 5-Why, change analysis, barrier analysis, events and causal factor charting, Ishikawa diagrams, BlueDragon root cause analyses) appropriate to the issue's significance and regulatory requirements.
- Identify causes and apply DOE cause codes, ensuring accurate documentation in the Issues Management tool to support institutional trending and continuous improvement.
- Support fact-finding meetings, capturing firsthand accounts, collecting essential documentation, confirming event categorization, and aligning follow-up steps with FODs, RLMs, SMEs, and involved workers.
- Coordinate with Responsible Line Managers (RLMs) to ensure causal analysis results support effective corrective action development and, when applicable, Extent of Condition (EoC) or Extent of Cause (EoCa) evaluations.
- Maintain and distribute final event documentation, ensuring reports and supporting materials flow to stakeholders such as FODs, RLMs, DOE/NNSA FR/DDR, PAAA personnel, and are correctly recorded in iLINK and EDRMS.
- Partner with customers, functional managers, and senior leaders on matters related to abnormal events, program performance, and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with ES&H and operational SMEs to evaluate event severity using a graded approach and to support institutional learning.
- Prepare high-quality written products, including event summaries, analysis documentation, and occurrence reports, with clarity and accuracy.
- Support deployment of CAS processes that promote fact-based performance improvement and institutional learning.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Contractor Assurance System: Working knowledge in one or more CAS-related areas such as audits and assessments; lessons learned; metrics/trending/analysis; risk analysis; issues and corrective actions management; process improvement; investigations or compliance; Operating Excellence.
Investigation & Regulation: Experience investigating abnormal events and/or applying complex regulatory requirements, including working with operations and SMEs to capture accurate event facts.
Causal Analysis: Experience gathering and assessing event information and applying at least one formal causal analysis method (5-Why, change analysis, barrier analysis, Ishikawa, events and causal factor charting).
Reporting & Technical Writing: Ability to write clearly, concisely, and accurately with minimal editorial revision while meeting DOE reporting requirements.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to facilitate discussions, and demonstrated success working independently and with teams.
Presentations: Experience preparing and delivering briefings to varied audiences.
Customer-Focused Interactions: Experience advising and coaching customers on abnormal event matters while promoting continuous improvement and institutional learning.
Education/Experience (CAS-2): Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 5 years related experience in organizational-level performance-based management, quality, and/or a technical discipline related to area of assignment; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications
- Investigative experience in military, law enforcement, healthcare, or similar environments.
- Experience applying multiple or advanced causal analysis methodologies (e.g., BlueDragon RCA).
- Experience developing corrective actions using SMART principles and hierarchy of controls.
- Working knowledge of ES&H, industrial hygiene, radiation protection, environmental/waste management, nuclear safety basis, conduct of operations, or DOE requirements.
- Experience managing complex relationships and facilitating collaborative problem solving.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Notes to Applicants: Applicants are encouraged to include a comprehensive cover letter addressing how they meet the required and desired skills.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
