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Radiochemical Laboratory Technician- Research Tec 3/4

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Code of Federal Regulations, Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Customer Relations, DOE Clearance, DOE-Q (Top Secret Restricted Data), Data Collection, Dental Insurance, Detail Oriented, Documentation, Facilities Management, Identify Issues, Instrumentation, Laboratory, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Laboratory Operations, Material Moving, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Product Family, Operational Support, Operations Security (OPSEC), Organizational Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Improvement, Psychology, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Assurance Methodology, Quality Control, Record Keeping, Research Laboratory, Safety/Work Safety, Spectroscopy, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Team Player, Training/Teaching, Tuition Fees, UV/VIS (Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy), United States Citizen, United States Department of Energy (DOE), Vision Plan, Waste Management
LOCATION
Los Alamos, NM
POSTED
4 days ago
This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

The Actinide Analytical Chemistry (C-AAC) Group within Chemistry Division is looking for a Research Technician at either a level 3 or level 4. This position serves one of the Laboratory's core national security missions' areas: Weapons Science.

The successful applicant will perform analytical radiochemistry analysis for the characterization of the nuclear materials in the Plutonium Facility (PF-4). The work involves hands-on processing and subsequent analysis of a variety of sample matrices. Successful candidates should be familiar with chemical laboratory operations and demonstrate an aptitude for continuing on-the-job cross training. Work assignments are directly related to national security objectives and requires the individuals to protect and maintain sensitive and classified information.

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 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.

Research Technician 3 $66,100 -- $103,600

The successful candidate will:

  • Conduct technical work in the plutonium facility, as directed or discussed with supervisor.
  • Work with nuclear material in gloveboxes and hoods, handle and move material.
  • Perform maintenance activities in laboratory rooms in PF-4.
  • Perform waste management support in the facility.
  • Be detail-oriented in record keeping including proper written documentation of all experimental or process observations.
  • Follow written procedures and suggest process improvements where applicable.
  • Perform duties with limited direct supervision.
  • Provide high quality analytical chemistry results for a wide range of samples
  • Follow approved written procedures and guidelines
  • Communicate effectively with a wide range of personnel from varying fields and with different levels of technical training
  • Work in a team environment
  • Work on QA/QC methods and protocols
  • The technician will perform work and follow procedures in accordance with all applicable safety and security practices in a nuclear facility.
  • Work is directly related to national security objectives and requires the individual to protect and maintain sensitive or classified information.


Research Technician 4 $72,800 - $$115,400

In addition to the duties outlined above, the Research Technician 4 will be required to:

  • Perform routine tasks with limited supervision and demonstratable ability to perform non-routine tasks under supervision.
  • Work with line, program and facilities personnel as appropriate for the conduct of the technical work.
  • Independently coordinate tasks through the IWM process (Define, Plan, Prepare, Execute, Follow-up).
  • Support in the operation, maintenance and troubleshoot/repair of a variety of instrumentation
  • Review data collection, record keeping and report generation
  • Maintain/improve/streamline work execution in collaboration with others on the team
  • Identify and recommend solutions to problems affecting project requirements
  • Communicate results through internal reports
  • Serve as the point of contact with internal customers
  • Provides process specific trainings to other team members


#Shiftwork



What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • Willingness and ability to work in a chemistry laboratory setting with corrosive and hazardous chemicals.
  • Willingness and ability to perform hands-on work with nuclear material.
  • Experience following procedures, including being able to read documented procedures and reduce them to laboratory practice.
  • Demonstrated ability to complete supervisor directed and defined assignments with limited direct supervision.
  • Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Basic computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office products.
  • Experience demonstrating good communication skills.
  • Ability to be enrolled in the Human Reliability Program (HRP) as a nuclear material handler.
  • Knowledge of and experience with chemical analysis techniques and sample preparation
  • Experience in a lab environment
  • Demonstrated work experience in a team environment while exhibiting collaborative behaviour
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires a US citizenship


Additional Job Requirements for Research Technician 4:

In addition to the Job Requirements outlined above, qualification at the Research Technician 4 level requires:

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently with initiative and complete assignments with minimum direction.
  • Demonstrated robust organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Experience operating, maintaining, and/or troubleshooting a variety of instrumentation
  • Experience reviewing data collection record keeping and report generation
  • Demonstrated experience working independently


Education/Experience for Research Technician 3: An associate's degree in a field and three years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education/Experience for Research Technician 4: An associate's degree in a field and five years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience working in a nuclear facility.
  • Q-cleared, HRP
  • Experience with analytical chemistry techniques (including but not limited to wet chemical sample preparation, radiochemistry including gamma and alpha spectroscopy, gas proportional counting, UV-Vis, separations, etc.)
  • Fissile Material Handler
  • Experience working in a highly regulated work environment
  • Experience using various personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirator work.
  • Use of laboratory information management system (LIMS/LANMAS) software for sample tracking.
  • Demonstrated experience or specialized training for working with radioactive or nuclear materials
  • Experience working in a glovebox or open front hood
  • Advanced knowledge and experience in radiological contamination monitoring and control
  • Demonstrated ability to follow formal standard operating procedures under conduct of operations
  • Experience in procurement, assembly, and troubleshooting instrumentation


Essential Job Functions(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 hz); Standing; Bending; Climbing stairs; Use of both hands, arms, legs, feet; Lifting 20-30 pounds.

Work Environment:

Work near sources of ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation and toxic chemicals. Work with safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or face protection, mask or respirator, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective footgear, Level B HAZMATsuit/anti-C clothing.

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.

Work Schedule: This position may require extended hours which could involve working a shift schedule. Employees maybe eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

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:

For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive cover letter and either a resume or CV reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.

Evaluation of applicants will commence immediately.

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 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. 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.

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.

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