Waste Sampling and Analysis Coordinator

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Waste Sampling and Analysis (WSA) Coordinator to provide technical leadership to personnel supporting hazardous, non-hazardous, and radioactive waste sampling activities at LLNL. Under minimal supervision, you will monitor regulatory compliance with all State and Federal regulations applicable to sample acquisition, analysis and data validation from LLNL destructive and nondestructive sampling operations. This position is in the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management Program (RHWM) within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Interpret State and Federal regulations (e.g., Department of Transportation (DOT), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as they apply to the sampling and characterization of hazardous and radioactive samples.
• Manage the WSA Program onsite laboratory to ensure safe and compliant analytical operations.
• Interface with offsite commercial laboratories to ensure that samples submitted by LLNL for analysis are processed in accordance with LLNL contractual requirements.
• Manage analytical data packages, ensuring timely issuance of data packages and record keeping in accordance with LLNL policies.
• Oversee the shipment of hazardous and radioactive samples to offsite commercial analytical laboratories.
• Collaborate with hazardous waste generators, field technicians, and environmental analysts to provide advanced technical guidance and original solutions for the acquisition of samples to properly characterize hazardous, radioactive, and mixed wastes.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure that sampling activities are conducted in accordance with current applicable regulatory standards and guidance (SW-846, EPA Methods).
• Develop, review, and maintain procedures and training associated with waste sampling and analysis activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities at the 304.2 Level

• Lead and independently direct highly complex Waste Sampling and Analysis activities; establish technical approaches, resolve complex regulatory and operational issues, and implement solutions with significant programmatic, safety, and compliance impact.
• Contribute as a member of the Waste Characterization Group (WCG) to the overall management and planning of projects and activities.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement new or innovative sampling and analysis processes, including the identification and application of novel technologies to characterize LLNL waste streams.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or sufficient related scientific field experience.
• Fundamental knowledge of State and Federal regulations as they apply to waste characterization, specifically sampling and analytical applications.
• Extensive experience leading sampling and analysis operations including field and laboratory-based methods under a formal standards-based quality assurance program.
• Experience developing proper safety controls to ensure personnel safety in both field and laboratory operations.
• Experience interpreting complex chemical and radiological data to determine waste characterization and applicable analytical methods.
• Experience communicating with off-site commercial analytical laboratories.
• Demonstrated advanced organization skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and follow through.
• Ability to successfully complete all Federal, State, LLNL, and DOT training requirements.

Additional qualifications at the 304.2 Level

• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, and work direction in complex waste sampling and analysis operations.
• Experience with project planning, budgeting and workforce planning.
• Advanced knowledge of State and Federal (e.g., RCRA, DOT) regulations governing the management, transportation, and disposal of hazardous and radioactive samples.

Pay Range

$125,310 - $185,640 Annually

$125,310 - $153,444 Annually for the 304.1 Level

$151,620 - $185,640 Annually for the 304.2 Level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Pre-Placement Medical Exam

A job related pre-placement medical examination may be required.

How to identify fake job advertisements

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

Organization: Strategic DeterrenceCategory: Craft and Skilled TradesJob Code 2: 304.2 Sr Scientific Associate C/MSEmployee Referral Bonus: Not applicableJob Code 1: 304.1 Scientific Associate - C/MSPre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)Pre-Placement Medical Exam: A job-related pre-placement medical examination may be requiredSecurity Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)Position Type: Career Indefinite