Nuclear Materials Custodian (Nuclear Materials Specialist 2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high deductible medical insurance

Paid parental leave

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Nuclear Materials Specialist 2. This full-time position is key for providing nuclear material control and accountability services in Los Alamos, NM. Responsibilities include analyzing nuclear inventory data and tracking accountable nuclear material in compliance with health and safety guidelines.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's Degree, 5 years of relevant experience, and advanced knowledge in regulatory safety protocols. Benefits include competitive health insurance, 401(k) match, and flexible work schedules.

Qualifications

• 5 years of related experience in nuclear materials management.
• Advanced knowledge of security requirements for protecting classified materials.
• Experience with nuclear facilities operations and waste management.

Responsibilities

• Provide nuclear material control and accountability services.
• Oversee calculations and records for material status.
• Lead the group's nuclear material accountability efforts.

Skills

Nuclear materials management

Interpersonal communication

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

What You Will Do

The Focused Experiments (M-3) Group is looking for a Nuclear Materials Specialist 2 to provide nuclear material control and accountability services and support including comprehensive analysis and reporting of nuclear inventory data. The Nuclear Materials Custodian will report to the M-3 Group Office and track all accountable nuclear material in its possession in a manner consistent with health and safety concerns and graded safeguards. This position is full‑time, located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and requires on‑site work activities.

• Lead the group's Local Area Nuclear Material Accountability (LANMAS) account efforts.
• Serve as the group's Material Balance Area (MBA) custodian.
• Assist with the group's Component Inventory Tracking and Resource Allocation System (CITRAS) account efforts.
• Assist with the group's High Explosives Inventory Database (HEIDi) account for all HE parts.
• Serve as the custodian for tamper‑indicating devices (TIDs) within the group.
• Oversee the calculations and records for the material‑at‑risk (MAR) status for all shipments and receipts of hydrotest parts and assemblies using a pre‑defined spreadsheet.
• Oversee and/or prepare materials inventory to meet waste disposal regulations for all expended hydrotests.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experience achieving thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing tasks.
• Advanced knowledge of nuclear materials management and team coordination for nuclear materials processing, storage, control, disposition, and distribution, and limits for radiological facilities.
• Knowledge of radiological safety, such as radiation work under a radiation work permit (RWP) or equivalent.
• Advanced knowledge of security requirements for protecting classified material and items.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer programs such as Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of personnel and customers; strong teaming skills.
• Demonstrated ability to research and correctly interpret federal regulations and institutional policy for inventories.

Training / Certifications

Specialized knowledge, experience and scientific and/or technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: accounting, nuclear instruments and methods, nuclear safeguards, security management, nuclear facility operations, material balance areas (MBAs), and/or custodian duties.

Education / Experience

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Q Clearance.
• Active LANL red network user.
• Experience participating in inventory audits and corrective actions.
• Working knowledge and skill of nuclear materials accountability practices including associated tracking and documentation requirements, policies, procedures, etc.
• Demonstrated experience working in environments with a high level of operational formality.
• In‑depth knowledge in sensitive materials management and inventory, particularly high explosives and classified parts.
• In‑depth experience using and manipulating databases and electronic reporting tools such as FileMaker Pro, CITRAS, LANMAS, HEIDi, and SharePoint.
• Experience with nuclear material accountability and waste management as an MBA custodian.
• Experience with nuclear materials packaging, storage, transportation, treatment, handling, processing, measurement and/or disposal.
• A working knowledge of DOE Standard 1212 (formerly the DOE explosives safety manual) LANL HE Handler training/certificate and LANL HE Transporter training/certificate.

Work Environment

Outdoors, in confined space, at heights, underground, working alone, working overtime or irregular schedule, working off‑shift/rotating schedule, in a very hot environment > 100 °F, in a hot environment 90–100 °F, in a wide range of ambient temperatures, in a wet or humid environment, in a dry environment, domestic travel, operation of motor vehicles; work in a noisy environment, work near machinery with moving parts. Headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or facial protection, mask or respirator, hearing protection, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective footgear.

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.

Benefits

• 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 material. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. 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.

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.

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 [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.