Operations Center Operator 4/5

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 71,200 - 139,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high deductible medical insurance

Paid maternity and parental leave

401(k) with matching benefits

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking Operations Center Operators in Los Alamos, NM. These full-time roles involve oversight of facility operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards in a nuclear environment. Ideal candidates should possess an Associate’s Degree and relevant experience, particularly in Conduct of Operations. The positions require shift work to cover 24/7 operations and offer competitive salaries based on experience level, with Operator 4 earning $71,200-$112,900 and Operator 5 earning $85,900-$139,900.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience with Conduct of Operations as applied to a Nuclear/High Hazard Facility.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of equipment operations as applied to a Nuclear Facility.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary interface between tenant organizations and ensure work activities are scheduled.
• Administer lockout/tagout management program and issue locks.
• Ensure Technical Safety Requirements are conformed with.

Skills

Conduct of Operations

Equipment Operations

Lockout/Tagout Policies

Safety Practices

Configuration Management

PLC Systems

Interpersonal Communication

Education

Associate’s Degree in a relevant field

Job description

What You Will Do

You will report to a TA55 Shift Operations Supervisor. Operations Center Operators serve as the primary interface between tenant organizations, support services subcontractors, and FOD to review and implement DOE O 422.1, Conduct of Operations. Primary duties include but are not limited to:

• Facility access control and work release by tracking, screening, and ensuring all work activities have been properly scheduled through the Plan‑of‑the‑Day (POD)
• Administration of the lockout/tagout management program, including issuing locks and procedural development
• Tracking and ensuring all Technical Safety Requirements (TSR) and Administrative Surveillance Instruction (ASI) surveillances of facility systems are in conformance with the established authorization basis for operation
• Reporting to a TA55 Shift Operations Supervisor. The TA55 Operations Center Operator position requires 24/7/365 coverage and therefore requires working a shift schedule
• Position will be filled at either the Operator 4 or Operator 5 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

Operator 4 (Salary $71,200 – $112,900)

• Fully qualified through our training program or bring significant relevant experience from similar facilities
• Execute safety‑critical tasks and surveillances
• Work independently and be responsible for multiple systems

Operator 5 (Salary $85,900 – $139,900)

In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level, at this level you should expect to:

• Be a certified facility expert recognized as the operations lead during off‑shifts
• Be authorized to make technical decisions regarding safe facility operations
• Serve as a resource and mentor for the operations team

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements – Level 4

• Extensive knowledge and experience with Conduct of Operations as applied to a Nuclear/High Hazard Facility and maintaining a Nuclear Facility or High Hazard Facility
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of equipment operations as applied to a Nuclear Facility or High Hazard Facility
• Expert knowledge of the Laboratory’s facility/operational/computing policies, practices, and procedures
• Experience with lock‑out/tag‑out policies and procedures and execution
• Extensive and detailed understanding of work hazards, safety practices, and operating configuration
• Extensive knowledge in formal work control processes
• Expert knowledge of typical facility electrical and mechanical systems, subsystems and components (heating, ventilation, refrigeration systems, cooling towers, fire suppression/alarm systems, air compressors, pneumatic controls, etc.)
• Experience tracking and ensuring Technical Safety Requirements (TSR) and In‑Service Inspections (ISI) surveillances of facility systems are in conformance with the established authorization basis for operation
• Ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• High School Diploma (DOE Order 426.2 requirement)

Additional Job Requirements – Level 5

• Expert knowledge of configuration management
• Expertise in understanding and interpreting various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics

Education and Experience

Level 4: Associate’s Degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Additional training and certification may be expected.

Level 5: Associate’s Degree in a relevant field and 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Additional training and certification may be expected.

This position may be 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of Programmatic Logic Controller (PLC) based systems
• Prior experience working in a nuclear facility, for example, Naval Nuclear Power Program or commercial nuclear plant

Work Schedule

Working off‑shift/rotating 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.

Work Location

The work location for this position is fully 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

Applicants are highly encouraged to address each of the Minimum Job Requirements in a cover letter.

Federal Restrictions

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), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation who are not lawful permanent residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, including 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 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)
• 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 the employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This requirement applies only to citizens of the United States.

Clearance: Q. This 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 U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

HRP: This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 712, §712.11, including ongoing 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. 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 P701 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, marital status, spouse 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 1‑505‑665‑4444 option 1.