Operations Support Specialist 2/3 | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Operations Support Specialist 2/3

What You Will Do

The Plutonium Supply & Disposition Division within the Weapons Production Directorate at Los Alamos National Laboratory (TRIAD) is looking for an exceptional Operations Support Specialist 2/3 to join the Metal Production Group (PSD-1). Our diverse workforce enjoys a collegial work environment focused on creative problem solving, where everyone's opinions and ideas are considered.

In this role, you will execute requirements for material and waste throughput within a production line and according to a master production schedule to meet programmatic demand. The successful candidate will apply general and working knowledge of manufacturing processes and waste throughput requirements in special nuclear material production. This includes execution of resource-scheduling functions following production plans. The successful candidate will perform manufacturing resource planning processes according to authorized boundary conditions and will assist in shop floor scheduling and status management processes while performing inventory control and management. With functional and operational direction, the selected candidate will coordinate with other teams and agencies in support of maintaining feed, product, and waste inventory levels. This position will also involve working with production control, quality engineering, warehousing, operational manufacturing, nuclear control and accountability, Central Characterization Program, and Nuclear Process Infrastructure personnel to integrate real-time scheduling issues and manage feed, product, and waste streams. In addition, the successful candidate will transform production schedules into established waste inventory levels and work-in-process to control short-range manufacturing schedules and will execute work such that quality and data gathering requirements are met.

We are seeking a seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of specialized areas plus working knowledge of other related fields to resolve a wide range of issues in creative ways. The selected candidate will provide resolutions to a diverse range of complex problems where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors, as well as contribute to the development of organization's goals and objectives. This will include working under limited direction with general instructions on new assignments. Work is evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met. The successful candidate will demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for creating and implementing solutions, plans, schedules, and task prioritization to accomplish objectives.

Operations Support Specialist 2 ($72,800-$115,400)
  • Compile information regarding feed, product, and waste requirements, practices, or applicable regulatory changes affecting manufacturing policies or programs; recommends sound, practical solutions to complex issues.
  • Use knowledge of waste and material handling within TA-55 to enable Laboratory operational/programmatic objectives.
  • Gather data to track production and/or inventory to optimize throughput.
  • Coordinate with Central Characterization Program and Acceptable Knowledge program to schedule, execute, and properly record Visual Inspection and Visual Examination of Waste.
  • Under direction, coordinate SNM movements and storage with other divisions and agencies.
  • Coordinate with production control, warehousing, quality engineering, and production teams to ensure manufacturing travelers are efficiently created and completed.
  • Maintain data on samples, travelers, SNM product inventory, SNM waste inventory, throughput time, throughput rate, and work in process.
  • Ensure that processes are followed through with efficiency, accuracy, and with high quality, while understanding and maintaining priorities.
  • Complete and review necessary forms and request necessary for product, sample, and waste operations/transfers.

As an OSS 3 you will be working with other operational support specialists to:

Operations Support Specialist 3 ($87,800-$143,000)
  • Develop and coordinate weekly feed plans according to production milestones and special projects.
  • Provides issues management support for a diverse range of complex issues where analysis of data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors, including the compilation, review, and assessment of data and the development of management assessments and/or recommendations.
  • Implements related documentation systems and ensures compliance with all applicable document control and records management activities and security/compliance implications.
  • Responsible for developing, improving, and implementing processes and systems to ensure complex deliverables are met completely, efficiently, and in accordance with high-level priorities.
  • Ensures sound procedures are in place and that required documentation is maintained, protocols are followed, and associated activities are completed such record-keeping, budgeting and cost-tracking, and inventory-tracking.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team environment to effectively execute programmatic goals.
  • Entry-level knowledge of organizational practices and process-improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Human Performance Initiative, 5S and the ability to identify and apply similar initiatives.
  • Ability to follow and inform improvements in procedures, policies, and processes.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office suite and database software.

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Advanced experience developing data analysis and assessment plans, developing a data management plan, developing metrics and key performance indicators.
  • Demonstrated experience in interacting with customers in a customer service-related setting.
  • Demonstrated expert skills with MS Office suite and database software.
  • Advanced knowledge of manufacturing resource planning software systems.
  • Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing correspondence, documents, procedures, with considerable responsibility for content while ensuring accuracy and attention to detail.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires an Associate's Degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution and 4 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at the higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, post graduate course work may be desirable.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Clearance & HRP:Active DOE Q Clearance and current HRP certification highly desired.

Note to Applicants:
  • Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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.
  • For full consideration, please provide a comprehensive resume, which outlines how you meet the minimum and desired skills noted above.
  • While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.
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 childbirth 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). The selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matters. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*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.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2a: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2a, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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 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 applicable 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 accommodation, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.