Criticality Safety Analyst 3/4

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 128,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for a Nuclear Criticality Safety Analyst position at either level 3 or 4, located onsite in Los Alamos, NM. The role focuses on ensuring subcriticality under normal and abnormal conditions, interfacing with customers, and performing rigorous NCS analyses.

Analysts will mentor junior staff and may assume independent leadership on projects, with higher responsibilities for the 4 level including policy updates and external interfaces.

Qualifications

• 7–8 years of related criticality safety experience
• Advanced knowledge of NCS, evaluations, and DOE/ANSI standards
• Ability to communicate NCS concepts to technical and non-technical personnel

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance to operating organizations
• Lead and perform NCS evaluations and reviews
• Mentor less experienced NCS Analysts
• Interface with DOE and other agencies on criticality safety issues

Skills

Criticality safety

DOE standards

NCS evaluations

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline

Tools

NCS codes & cross sections

Job description

What You Will Do

Working as a Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analyst under the LANL NCS Program you will provide technical guidance to determine that fissionable material operations remain subcritical under normal and credible abnormal conditions. This is the job for you if you are interested in supporting a key national security mission by interfacing with customers in nuclear facilities, performing technical analyses, proposing logical arguments, and recommending NCS controls.

This position will be filled at either the Criticality Safety Analyst 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.

Criticality Safety Analyst 3: ($128,000 - $215,900)

• Provide technical guidance to operating organizations
• Collaborate with operating organization personnel on NCS evaluations as the lead NCS Analyst
• Perform independent reviews of NCS evaluations
• Conduct periodic reviews of fissionable material operations
• Lead NCS response to programmatic issues and criticality process deviations/infractions
• Participate in NCS emergency response preparation (emergency procedures, plans, exercises, and drills)
• Independently prepare, review, and/or present technical reports both internally to LANL and externally to the criticality safety community (e.g. American Nuclear Society, etc.)
• Conduct NCS training for all levels of employees involved in fissionable material operations
• Assist in the development and/or review of new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents
• Lead and/or participate in assessments and audits of the NCS Program
• Mentor of less experienced Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Analysts and Analysts In-Training on all aspects of criticality safety

Criticality Safety Analyst 4: ($153,600 - $266,500)

In addition to what was outlined above, the Criticality Safety Analyst 4 will be required to:

• Independently develop and/or review new or proposed changes to existing NCS programmatic policy and implementing documents
• Advise NCS Management on topics related to criticality safety at LANL, including impacts of changes to national consensus standards
• Independently lead groups of less experienced NCS Analysts on projects or work assignments
• Interface with the Department of Energy (DOE), Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), Department of Transportation (DOT), and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for criticality safety issues and matters
• Participate in the development of criticality safety technical proposals and project cost/schedule documentation
• Provide technical leadership to resolve emergent issues affecting the NCS Division

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Prior criticality safety or related experience (typically 7-8 years)
• Advanced knowledge in the discipline of NCS, including NCS evaluations, program implementation, computation tools, standard, and regulatory guidelines
• Working knowledge on the meaning and use of the ANSI/ANS 8 Series National Standards and applicable DOE Orders, Standards, and Guides
• Advanced knowledge on the use of the common NCS computer codes and cross sections in terms of modeling and NCS analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct NCS evaluations with all fissile/fissionable material forms in use at LANL
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting NCS
• Ability to conceptualize and communicate major elements of NCS to both technical and non-technical personnel
• Experience as a successful mentor/coach of less experienced personnel

Additional Job Requirements for Criticality Safety Analyst 4

• Prior criticality safety or related experience (a minimum of 10 years)
• Expert level knowledge in the discipline of NCS, including NCS evaluations, program implementation, computation tools, standard, and regulatory guidelines
• Expert level knowledge on the meaning and use of the ANSI/ANS 8 Series National Standards and applicable DOE Orders, Standards, and Guides
• Expert level knowledge on the use of the common NCS computer codes and cross sections in terms of modeling and NCS analysis.
• Demonstrated significant experience independently reviewing criticality safety evaluation (NCSE) and supporting criticality calculation in accordance with DOE standards and guidelines

Education/Experience at Criticality Safety Analyst 3

Position requires a Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics or related discipline from an accredited institution and 6 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Criticality Safety Analyst 4

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics 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.

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job. DOE 426.2 requires a BS degree, 2 years of job-related experience and 1 year of non-reactor nuclear experience for technical support personnel who perform work independently at nuclear facilities.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarization with criticality computing platform selection/maintenance and Software Quality Assurance.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative and quantitative accident analysis techniques
• Extensive knowledge of DOE requirements affecting nuclear criticality safety

Work Schedule: This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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.

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.

Where You Will Work

• 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.

DOE 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.

Incentive Compensation Program

Position at the higher level is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

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, 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 [e-mail] or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2.