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Project/Program Specialist 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$72,800–$115,400 Per Year
SKILLS
Administrative Skills, Budget Management, Budgeting, Business Administration, Business Operations, Calendar Management, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Data Management, Dental Insurance, Detail Oriented, Document Management, Document Tracking, Documentation, Documentation Review, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Expense Tracking, Finance, Internet/IP Telephony, Inventory Management, Inventory Reports, Laboratory, Maintain Compliance, Meeting Minutes, Mentoring, Multitasking, Operational Support, Operations Processes, Operations Research, Operations Security (OPSEC), Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Process Improvement, Process Management, Project Execution, Project Management Software, Project Planning, Project Schedule, Project/Program Coordination, Project/Program Management, Purchasing/Procurement, Reconciliation, Records Management, Reimbursement, Safety Training, Safety/Work Safety, Scientific Research, Spreadsheets, Time Management, Travel Planning, Tuition Fees, Typing, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel, Word Processing, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Los Alamos, NM
POSTED
5 days ago
This position is open for both internal and external candidates to apply.

What You Will Do



This position will be filled at either the Project/Program Specialist 1 or 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.

The Quasi-Static & Dynamic Behavior of Materials Team is seeking a Project/Program Specialist to support the planning, coordination, documentation, and administrative execution of research activities within a laboratory environment. This role is well suited for candidates with strong business, project management, or operations backgrounds who are interested in applying those skills in a scientific research setting.

The selected candidate will support project coordination, operational documentation, budgeting activities, procurement, travel, inventory management, and data organization. Laboratory-specific systems, policies, and safety requirements will be learned on the job through structured training and mentoring.

Project/Program Specialist 1 ($72,800 - $115,400)

Key Responsibilities:

  • Support the preparation, maintenance, and coordination of operational and project documentation, including work planning and safety-related documents, to ensure activities are conducted in accordance with institutional requirements.
  • Track documentation reviews, approvals, and required signatures to support authorized and safe execution of work.
  • Coordinate administrative and project activities such as scheduling, meeting support, note-taking, and action-item tracking.
  • Support procurement and purchasing activities, including requisition preparation, order tracking, and coordination with procurement organizations.
  • Coordinate travel planning and expense processing in accordance with institutional policies.
  • Maintain chemical and materials inventories in coordination with laboratory staff and applicable safety requirements.
  • Support data and records management, including organizing and archiving projects, materials, or experimental data in institutional systems such as GRANTA or similar databases.
  • Interface with internal service organizations (finance, procurement, safety, records management, etc.) to support efficient project execution.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of administrative and operational processes supporting research activities.


Project/Program Specialist 2 ($87,800 - $143,000)

  • Assist with budget tracking and financial coordination, including monitoring expenditures, reconciling costs, and communicating with financial or budget personnel to support responsible use of funds.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:



Project & Business Operations

  • Knowledge in project coordination, operations support, business administration, or program management.
  • Proven ability managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and stakeholders in a structured and organized manner.
Documentation & Process Management

  • Experience preparing, reviewing, or managing formal documentation, procedures, or reports.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to ensure completeness and accuracy of records.
Administrative Skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively with finance or administrative professionals.
Computing & Systems

  • Proficiency with standard business tools including word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling software, and document management systems.
  • Ability to quickly learn new institutional software and processes.
Communication

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Additional Job Requirements for Project Specialist 2:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

Project & Business Operations

  • Working knowledge and experience in project coordination, operations support, business administration, or program management.
  • Knowledge of project management tools and techniques relating to project activities.
Finance Knowledge

  • Ability to develop, document, articulate and present project scope, execution plans, budget and overall schedule to Project Manager and IPT.
  • Experience supporting budgeting, cost tracking, procurement, or financial coordination.
Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 2 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 5 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or related field.
  • Experience supporting complex projects in regulated, technical, or institutional environments.
  • Experience with budgeting, scheduling, or process improvement.
  • Familiarity with data management or enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, inventory, or records management tools).
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new regulatory or compliance-driven environments.
Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Typing or keyboarding, walking, climbing stairs, and working in office and laboratory environments. Use of PPE such as safety glasses or lab coats may be required when entering laboratory spaces.

Work Environment: Primarily onsite, day-shift work. Some flexibility in work hours may be required to support project needs. Occasional travel may be required (~15%).

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:

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 (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)




Additional Information



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.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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.

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 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 such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.

About the Company

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Los Alamos National Laboratory