Operations Specialist 3

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks an Operations Specialist 3 to lead complex operational and programmatic processes from planning through execution. You will develop procedures, readiness documentation, and workflows to enable mission success, while coordinating budgeting, scheduling, and reporting across organizations.

The role emphasizes process improvement, adherence to DOE orders, and collaboration with engineers, program leaders, and management to drive initiatives and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience managing or coordinating complex operational or administrative processes.
• Knowledge of DOE orders, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational and programmatic processes from planning through execution.
• Develop, review, and improve procedures, readiness documentation, operational workflows, and controls.
• Coordinate planning activities including scheduling, budgeting, procurement support, and performance tracking.
• Lead and support assessments, investigations, corrective actions, and process improvements.
• Coordinate across organizations and prepare reports for informed decisions.

Skills

Operational leadership

Planning & coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

5 years related experience

Tools

Oracle

PDMLink

UTrain

SharePoint

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

Do you enjoy improving complex operations, solving organizational challenges, and helping mission-critical work succeed? Are you energized by bringing people, processes, and programs together to deliver results? If so, consider joining the Weapons Facility Operations (WFO) Division as Operations Specialist 3.

WFO supports the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of facilities across Weapons Engineering. In this role, you will collaborate with professionals supporting High Explosives facilities, the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility, and the Weapons Engineering Tritium Facility (WETF). This broad exposure will provide opportunities to expand your expertise in operational excellence, readiness, process improvement, and program integration while strengthening your ability to lead initiatives across organizational boundaries.

As an Operations Specialist 3, you will:

• Lead operational and programmatic processes from planning through execution, ensuring work is completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with requirements.
• Develop, review, and improve procedures, readiness documentation, operational workflows, and administrative controls that enable successful mission execution.
• Coordinate planning activities including scheduling, resource planning, budgeting, procurement support, and performance tracking.
• Lead and support assessments, investigations, corrective actions, and process improvement initiatives to strengthen organizational performance.
• Apply DOE orders, Laboratory policies, and institutional requirements to operational programs, documentation, and business processes.
• Support document control, records management, training, qualification, and readiness activities to ensure compliance and traceability.
• Coordinate across organizations, prepare reports and briefings, and provide management with the information needed to make informed operational decisions.
• You will join a collaborative team that values initiative, customer service, and continuous improvement. You'll work with facility personnel, engineers, operations professionals, program leaders, and management to solve complex problems and improve how work gets done. As you build experience across WFO's diverse mission areas, you'll have opportunities to take on increasingly complex initiatives, broaden your operational leadership experience, and contribute to improvements that extend across the division.

To be successful in this role, you should enjoy bringing structure to complex work, building productive relationships, and finding practical solutions to operational challenges. You should be comfortable working independently, influencing outcomes without direct authority, and balancing multiple priorities while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and mission success.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Demonstrated experience managing or coordinating complex operational or administrative processes from planning through execution.
• Ability to oversee multiple deliverables, establish priorities, and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
• Experience coordinating planning and scheduling activities, resource management, budgeting, and performance tracking.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic operational environment.

Process Improvement, Quality & Compliance

• Advanced experience developing, reviewing, and maintaining procedures, policies, and operational documentation.
• Knowledge of document control, records management, and quality assurance practices.
• Experience supporting or leading assessments, investigations, and corrective action processes.
• Working knowledge of DOE orders, regulatory requirements, and institutional policies, with the ability to translate requirements into effective operational implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, identify trends, and implement process improvements that enhance organizational performance.

Communication, Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex operational information for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated success coordinating across organizations and building collaborative relationships to achieve shared objectives.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to build trust and maintain productive working relationships.
• Ability to provide guidance, facilitate alignment, and communicate priorities effectively across multiple stakeholder groups.

Business Systems & Organizational Effectiveness

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency using business software and information management tools to support planning, documentation, reporting, and operational coordination.

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with LANL business systems, including Oracle, PDMLink, UTrain, and SharePoint.
• Experience supporting readiness reviews, operational readiness activities, or training programs.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.