Operator 2/3

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Tuition assistance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an Operator 2/3 to support critical national security and scientific missions. The role involves operating facility systems, performing technical tasks, and coordinating with engineering and management teams.

At Operator 2/3, you will gain hands-on experience in disciplined facility operations, with opportunities for professional growth and long-term career development within the Facility Operations Directorate.

Qualifications

• Understand hazards, safety practices, and lock-out/tag-out of hazardous energy.
• Interpret blueprints, drawings, and schematics.
• Experience with facility maintenance: mechanical, electrical, HVAC or chemical processing.
• Familiarity with DOE Order 422.1 and conduct of operations requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor facility systems under supervision.
• Support operations, maintenance, science or engineering activities.
• Provide direct support in design/installation of facility systems.
• Respond to facility emergencies and after-hours events.
• Interface between operations and programmatic tenants.

Skills

Lockout/Tag-out

Basic computer skills

Word processing

Communication

Teamwork

Safety awareness

DOE Orders knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associated Degree

Tools

Lockout/tag-out procedures

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at the Operator 2/3 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. Science and Technology Operations (STO) is seeking a motivated early-career professional to join our team as an Operator 2/3 in direct support of critical national security and scientific missions. Our facilities must operate safely, securely, and in a constant state of readiness to enable mission execution-and Operators play an essential role in sustaining that readiness.

As part of the Facility Operations Directorate (FOD), you will gain hands-on experience in disciplined facility operations while working alongside experienced professionals in Operations, Maintenance, Environmental Safety and Health, Quality, Waste Services, Project Management, and Engineering. This position offers a strong foundation for technical and professional skill development in facility operations, and long-term career growth for individuals who are dependable, eager to learn, and motivated to contribute to operational excellence.

Operator 2 ($54,900 - $84,300)

• Operate and monitor facility systems of electronic digital computers under the instruction of a qualified operator.
• Perform technical tasks in support of operations, maintenance, science or engineering activities.
• Provide direct support in operations, specification, construction, and/or design of facility mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical systems.
• Check and inspect operation against predetermined standards.
• Follow process sheets or written/verbal directions. Observe equipment and control panels for operator messages or error indicators.
• Set up and run diagnostic test and react appropriately to the messages and reports errors or machine malfunctions as required.
• Interface between the facility operations organization and the programmatic tenants.
• Provide general direction, guidance, and operational support to a facility to ensure the implementation of Operational and Programmatic functions.
• Respond to facility emergencies and abnormal events, along with after-hour call outs as directed.
• Upon successful completion of required training and qualification, serve as the Duty Officer and initial point of contact for abnormal events during normal business hours and after-hours, including weekends.
• Conduct cold-weather facility walk-downs during weekends, holidays, and site closure periods to support safe and reliable facility operations.
• Provide facility support to all personnel, tenants, and visitors.

Operator 3 ($66,100 - $103,600)

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level, Operator 3 will:

• Troubleshoot and make recommendations regarding facility operating equipment and/or systems.
• Become thoroughly familiar with operating characteristics of all plant equipment.
• Serve as point of contact for any equipment-related issues.
• Perform routine facility or area walk-downs, procedure reviews, inspections and/or evaluations to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the facility related to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and/or computing systems.
• Ensure lockout points are defined in work instructions.
• Serve as the system owner for lockout tag out and applies locks and ensures equipment is correctly isolated and locked out.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Maintenance & Facility Operations: Ability to understand and identify work hazards, safety practices, operating configuration, and experience with lock-out/tag-out of hazardous energy. Ability to understand and interpret various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics. Working knowledge of the Laboratory’s facility/operational/computing policies, practices, and procedures. Working knowledge and experience in a wide variety of facility maintenance activities including, but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, or chemical processing systems.

Knowledge & Experience: Familiarity with the principles of Department of Energy (DOE) Order 422.1, Conduct of Operations Requirements for DOE Facilities.

Communication & Teamwork: Basic skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting facility equipment maintenance and operations. Ability to perform after-hours work, weekend work, holiday and site closure periods to support facility operations. Experience serving in the role of Duty Officer. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Technology: Working knowledge of basic computer skills and word processors.

Additional Job Requirements for Operator 3 level:

Maintenance & Facility Operations: Proficient knowledge and experience in a wide variety of facility operations and maintenance activities including, but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, computing, or chemical processing systems. Extensive knowledge of the Laboratory’s facility/operational/computing policies, practices, and procedures. Experience independently conceptualizing and communicating major elements of facility equipment, maintenance, and/or upgrade activities. Thorough understanding of Lock out Tag out and the importance of building system configuration. Experience understanding and interpreting various physical, mechanical, and electrical documents, blueprints, drawings, and schematics

Knowledge & Experience: Proficient knowledge with facility work, control computerized work management systems, and Integrated Work Management principles. Proficient knowledge of requirements and environmental impacts affecting facility maintenance and operations.

Communication & Teamwork: Working knowledge of an abnormal event and a coordinated response. Understanding of and experience facilitating plan of the day/week meetings. Experience independently conducting research, investigate alternative solutions, and recommend solutions to problems affecting facility equipment maintenance and operations.

Technology: Extensive knowledge of computer skills and word processors.

Training/Certifications: LO/TO Worker or Coordinator desired.

Education/Experience at Operator 2 level: Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at Operator 3 level: Position requires an Associated Degree and 3 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Forklift operator certified.
• Lockout/Tag-out Trained.

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

Sitting; standing, walking, running, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, typing or keyboarding, reading vision, ability to speak, and ability to discriminate speech.

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 2 years.

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. 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.

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-issue.

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. 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.