Operations Specialist - Radiochemical Processing Laboratory

Operations Specialist

The Energy and Environment Directorate (EED) is seeking an outstanding Operations Specialist to provide leadership and safety oversight of EED's portfolio of research operations focusing on, but not limited to, the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory, PNNL's hallmark Category II, Non-Reactor Nuclear Facility.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Integrates operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions across research and support organizations to enable and enhance effective and efficient project execution in support of the Lab's mission.
• Maintains awareness of existing and planned changes in the operational risk profile of assigned research operating envelope.
• Maintains situational awareness of operational needs and emerging regulatory requirements, providing analysis of options and recommendations to mitigate exposure to operational risk and reduce the frequency of operational upset conditions.
• During upset conditions, assists management in the identification and implementation of immediate actions. This may include leading or participating in critiques and accident investigation, participating in causal analyses, and identifying and managing corrective actions and lessons learned.
• Evaluates the need for and provides necessary Subject Matter Expert (SME) support to line management, staff, and Project Management Offices to assist with project planning, assessment activities and risk identification and mitigation.
• Supports day-to-day work being conducted in research spaces including coordinating, scheduling, and logistics of contractors, crafts personnel, and other visiting researchers, including utilization of equipment, systems, and capabilities within their assigned spaces.
• Conduct risk reviews in the Electronic Prep & Risk System review safety questions with Project Managers and approve operations risks.
• Provide oversight into Lab Assist activities (planning, assessments, routine operations, hazards analysis).
• Represent EED management for lab space related issues, including overseeing project and equipment startups.
• Interface and communicate with research, including lab modifications and other facility needs, to Subject Matter Experts (Safety and Health, Facilities, Infrastructure & Operations staff [building managers, and engineers] and assure operational needs are met and support the R&D mission's needs.
• Mitigate impact to R&D activities during outages, facility modifications, etc.
• Coordinates operations and performs duties within the DOE and appropriate regulatory agencies requirements.
• Identifies issues, develops solutions, and manages implantation of PNNL-wide requirements, also provides recommendations that have measurable long term impact on the success of the laboratory and sets precedent on future decisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to build consensus across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and/or interest groups by articulating the strategic alignment of the organizations. Exerts positive influence for the laboratory advantage in all circles
• Functions as an operational lead and gives direction to other exempt staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 11 years of relevant research operations experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 9 years of relevant research operations experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in engineering field such as mechanical, chemical, or nuclear engineering
• Experience with DOE's Unreviewed Safety Question Process
• Experience as a Fissionable Material Handler Worker or Supervisor
• Experience with 10 CFR 830 regulatory and safety basis requirements
• Experience with implementing DOE O 422.1, Conduct of Operations
• Strong interpersonal skills (including conflict management and team building skills)
• Experience as a member of an Emergency Response Organization
• Demonstrated experience managing in a bargaining unit environment; demonstrated judgement handling sensitive personal matters, and problems of complex, technical nature
• Experience in operations of nuclear facilities and radiological work planning
• Qualified as a radiation worker
• Experience with Radiation Generating Devices (RGDs)

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment:

• Must be willing and able to work in radiologically controlled or high hazard areas
• Radiological worker
• Industrial setting
• Ability to travel 10%

Additional Information:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Testing Designated Position:

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington Statethe dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab's campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which