Plutonium Modernization Project Lead (Program Manager 4)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM seeks a Program Manager 4 to lead a significant portion of the NA-191 scope within the Plutonium Modernization Mission Office. The role reports to a Project-Program Director and requires cross-site and cross-agency coordination to ensure program success.

Responsibilities include planning, cost and schedule oversight, risk management, and governance adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution; 12 years of directly related experience or equivalent combination.
• Expert-level knowledge of program or project management including defining scope, schedules, budgets, milestones; baselines, reporting, and risk.
• Expert-level knowledge of the operational discipline of the assigned portfolio(s).
• Consultative experience in developing and nurturing high-level external and internal customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop execution/implementation plans from conception to completion.
• Manage interface with program, project, and line management to track cost, schedule, and milestones.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of the relevant technical discipline.
• Adhere to Laboratory and regulatory governance for the surveillance portfolio program.
• Identify portfolio risks, develop mitigation strategies, and propose corrective actions.
• Travel may be required for official Laboratory business.

Skills

Program management

Portfolio management

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (MS/PhD)

Job description

What You Will Do

Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world!

We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to fill a Program Manager 4 position within the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production - Plutonium Modernization Mission Office (PMMO). You will manage an important portion of the overall scope of work within the production portfolio for the $1B NA-191, report directly to a Project-Program Director within the organization, and serve as the Principal or Lead Program Manager for the selected program with responsibility for cross-site/cross-agency collaborations to ensure overall successful program execution.

Key responsibilities include (as assigned):

• Apply broad knowledge and expertise to assist in developing an execution/implementation plan that covers the programmatic work from conception to completion.
• Directly manage the interface with program, project, and line management to ensure performance, monitor and track cost, schedule, and progress against milestones.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of the relevant technical discipline.
• Understand and adhere to all Laboratory and regulatory guidance and governance specific to the programmatic work of the surveillance portfolio.
• Effectively manage portfolio risks; identify potential portfolio risks, develop risk mitigation strategies and corrective actions, and recommend risk acceptance/avoidance for the various scopes associated with component surveillance activities within the Production Agency.
• Official Laboratory travel might be required.

Salary Range: While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.

What You Need

Applicants must submit a comprehensive resume reflective of relevant experience that addresses the minimum job requirements and desired qualifications of the position below for full consideration.

• Education/Experience: Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and 12 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
• Program Management:
  • Expert-level knowledge of and consultative experience in all aspects of program or project management of technical or operational work, including defining work scope, schedules, budgets, priorities, and performance milestones; developing cost, scope, schedule baselines, reporting cost and schedule variance, and managing change control and risk.
• Portfolio Management:
  • Expert-level knowledge of the operational discipline of the assigned portfolio(s).
• Communication:
  • Consultative experience in developing and nurturing effective high-level external and internal customer relationships.
• Collaboration:
  • Consultative experience in interacting effectively with all levels of external and internal personnel (e.g., building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts).

Desired Qualifications

• Education:
  • An Advance Degree (Master's or PhD).
• Project Management:
  • Experience in Operational and Project Management.
  • Experience utilizing formal Earned Value Management System (EVMS) principles to help manage projects/programs.
  • Experience with NNSA Enhanced Management Level A or B reporting.
• Plutonium Operations:
  • Knowledge and experience with the overall mission for NA-191 (Office of Production Modernization) based programs, and more specifically within NA-191 (Plutonium Programs) in relation to the production mission within ALDWP.
• Communication:
  • Excellent oral and written communication.
  • Excellent presentation skills & experience interacting in an effective manner with internal customers, NNSA, and/or other federal customers.
• Leadership:
  • Demonstrated experience and leadership in developing and executing complex organizational interface agreements and work execution, GAO best practices implementation, and integration tools.
• Team Building:
  • Demonstrated experience developing and managing teams to achieve a defined set of deliverables and milestones.

Work Location:

The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. This is not a Telework or Remote position. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Work Schedule:

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

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. 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-offer.

Incentive Compensation Program:

Position 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 pro-rated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

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 applicable 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 opt. 3.