Operator 1-2

What You Will Do

The Weapons Facility Operations (WFO) Division is seeking an Operator to join our dynamic team. WFO is responsible for facilitating mission execution at DARHT (Accelerator Facility), the High Explosives (HE) Sciences, Firing and Detonator Facilities and at the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF). The selected candidate will report to the WFO Operations Manager, primarily providing Facility Management support to High Explosives and Accelerator Portfolios.

The selected candidate will qualify as an Operator for all areas within the WFO portfolio, is expected to be a self-starter, given initial direction and requirements from the WFO Operations Manager (OM), and to work as part of a collaborative team. If you are you highly motivated and enthusiastic with strong problem-solving, communication, and team-building skills we are looking for you!

As an Operator, you will perform routine facility walk-downs, procedure reviews, inspections, and evaluations to ensure safe and efficient operation of WFO Facilities. You will provide Facility Operations support to include operating facility equipment, ensuring configuration management, and assisting Facility Operations Manager and Facility Building Managers in performing technical/administrative tasks as required to support facility operations as well as implementing facility and operational improvement initiatives as needed.

This position will be filled at the Operator 1/2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Operator 1 $47,400 - $73,200

Typical Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Operate and monitor facility systems.
  • Performs technical tasks in support of facility operations activities.
  • Perform rounds and surveillances of facilities and real property equipment.
  • Observe equipment and control panels for operator messages or error indicators.
  • Sets up and runs diagnostic test and reacts appropriately to the messages and reports errors or machine malfunctions as required.
  • May work with multiple systems


Operator 2 $52,400 - $80,600

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the Operator 2 typical responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Perform routine facility or area walk-downs, procedure reviews, inspections, and/or evaluations to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facility and/or organization.
  • Demonstrate excellent customer service and communication skills
  • Identify problem areas, investigating solutions, and determining action to be performed.
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand and identify work hazards, safety practices, operating configuration, and experience with lock-out/tag-out of hazardous energy
  • Ability to evaluate and recommend priorities for work and solutions to problems regarding facility equipment maintenance and operations.
  • Respond to facility emergencies and abnormal events.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • Demonstrated record of dependability, reliability, and commitment to the long-term needs of the job duty
  • Ability to communicate effectively and work successfully as part of a team
  • Demonstrated ability to work safely in a complex environment
  • Knowledge of basic computer skills
  • Ability to learn and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics
  • Basic knowledge of facility equipment
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Additional Job Requirements for Operator 2:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
  • Experience monitoring equipment and monitoring control panels
  • Experience in identifying workplace hazards
  • Demonstrated ability to track activities
  • Knowledge of lock-out/tag-out procedures
  • Knowledge of Integrated Work Management
  • Knowledge of document control

Training/Certifications: Not Applicable

Education/Experience at lower level:

Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 1 year of experience.

Education/Experience at higher level:

Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of LANL policies and procedures
  • Knowledge of Mobile Work Package and/or Asset Suites
  • Experience working in High Explosive Facilities
  • Experience writing reports with an attention to detail
  • Active "Q" Clearance

Note to Applicants:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and a detailed cover letter addressing how they meet the required and desired criteria.

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 (paid sick, vacation, 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.

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 accommodations, 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.