Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Criticality Safety Officer in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the Criticality Safety Officer 3 or 4 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.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Associate Laboratory Directorate of Weapons Production Chief Operations Office (ALDWP COO) is seeking a Criticality Safety Officer (CSO) to serve as the day-to-day technical liaison between the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division and the programmatic tenants of ALDWP Facility Operations Director(s). The CSO will support implementation of the ALDWP criticality safety program to ensure compliance with the requirements of the facility Criticality Safety Management Program and serve as an advisor in efforts to improve operational efficiency. The CSO will assist in increasing Nuclear Criticality Safety Division personnel knowledge about operations in order to ensure an adequate understanding of processes, practical limitations, and credible potential upsets. The CSO will support initiatives to increase ALDWP operations staff knowledge about criticality safety, including operator understanding of criticality safety evaluations and the technical basis for the selected controls. The CSO will monitor criticality controls associated with operations, make recommendations for process improvement, and assist in identification and the resolutions for non-compliance issues.
The Associate Laboratory Directorate of Weapons Production Chief Operations Office (ALDWP COO) primary mission is to ensure LANL successfully executes its mission assignments involving nuclear science, nuclear technology, and weapons research, development, and component fabrication.
Criticality Safety Officer 3 $101,700 - $168,200
At this level you will be expected to work independently with minimal operational and functional direction from supervisor and you will assist in increasing CSO knowledge about operations in order to ensure an adequate understanding of processes, practical limitations, and credible potential upsets.
Criticality Safety Officer 4 $122,300 - $206,300
In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level you will be viewed as a strategic leader who provides functional and operational guidance to lower level CSOs. You will be responsible in developing and mentoring junior safety officers to ensure we maintain a robust Criticality Safety Officer Program and for providing oversight, and reviewing work of junior CSOs.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Advanced knowledge and experience in nuclear facility operations, nuclear safety, and nuclear criticality safety, including implementation of nuclear industry codes, standards, and regulatory guidelines.
Advanced knowledge of the technical and operational discipline of Conduct of Operations (i.e., DOE Order 422.1 "Conduct of Operations").
Extensive knowledge of the applicable ANSI/ANS national standards (i.e., ANSI-ANS 8 Criticality Safety series), and the DOE Order 420.1C "Facility Safety."
Experience in the application of criticality safety standards to complex nuclear facilities to ensure compliance with special nuclear material manufacturing and fabrication processes.
Ability to understand and interpret various physical and mechanical design documents such as drawings and schematics.
Extensive experience and knowledge conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting nuclear criticality safety.
Experience in the preparation, review, and interpretation of nuclear safety and nuclear criticality safety technical reports and evaluations.
Demonstrated experience interacting with all levels of the organization, requiring excellent interpersonal skills and training in communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation, etc.
DOE Order 426.2 "Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities," the CSO is required to have a baccalaureate degree and a minimum 2 years of job related experience (1year of which must be nuclear experience).
Additional Job Requirements for Criticality Safety Officer 4:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:
Experience in performing or leading nuclear safety and/or criticality safety basis compliance assessments (i.e., management self-assessments and readiness assessments) associated with operations and/or process startup activities.
Experience conceptualizing and communicating major elements of nuclear criticality safety to both technical and non-technical personnel.
Desired Qualifications:
Current Department of Energy "Q" Clearance.
Experience in nuclear facility operations, nuclear safety, and criticality safety.
Experience in modeling, performing and/or reviewing nuclear safety and/or criticality safety analysis calculations.
Intermediate knowledge and experience with qualitative and quantitative failure mode and effects analysis techniques.
Ability to conceptualize and communicate major elements of nuclear criticality safety to both technical and non-technical personnel.
Experience with operations involving special nuclear material control and accountability requirements.
Prior experience in facility nuclear safety or as a criticality safety officer.
Experience in performing nuclear safety and/or criticality safety basis compliance assessments (i.e., management self-assessments and readiness assessments) associated with operations and/or process startup activities.
Experience in event and accident fact-finding and cause analysis.
Experience interfacing with operations staff, engineering staff, and management in a technical or operational environment.
Education/Experience at level 3:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology or related discipline from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience at level 4:
Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology or related discipline from an accredited institution and 10 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
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.
Note to Applicants:
As the facility production schedule increases the CSOs may be required to support 24/7 facility operations.
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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) 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 on going drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, 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 Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.