Professional Staff Assistant 1/2

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 66,100 - 115,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability insurance

401(k) with matching

Flexible schedules and time off

Job summary

A leading national research facility in Los Alamos seeks a Professional Staff Assistant. The role involves providing comprehensive administrative support to leadership, coordinating meetings, and handling sensitive information. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree, demonstrated experience in a similar role, and be proficient with office software. This position requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain a respectful and inclusive work environment. Competitive salary ranges from $66,100 to $115,400 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience providing professional administrative support.
• Experience coordinating meetings, travel, and visitor logistics.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key administrative resource supporting leadership.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings and travel arrangements.
• Maintain electronic and hard-copy files accurately.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Proficiency with standard office software

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor’s degree

2 years of related experience (lower level)

5 years of related experience (higher level)

Tools

Oracle

Concur

SharePoint

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Professional Staff Assistant 1 or Professional Staff Assistant 2 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.

Pit Technologies is seeking a highly motivated, customer-focused administrative professional to provide comprehensive administrative and operational support to organization leadership, including Group Leaders, Deputy Group Leaders, and the Division Office. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth execution of business, operational, and programmatic functions within a fast-paced, mission-driven environment supporting national security objectives.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative, adaptability, sound judgement, and excellent communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

At both levels, you will:

• Serve as a key administrative resource supporting specialized functions, programs, and group and division leadership.
• Receive functional and operational direction from the Staff Operations Manager.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings, conferences, travel arrangements (foreign and domestic), and visitor engagements.
• Provide high‑level calendar management and meeting support, including tracking action items and maintaining schedules.
• Compose and format internal and external correspondence, presentations, and planning documents.
• Maintain electronic and hard‑copy files, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• Collaborate frequently with internal staff across the Laboratory and occasionally with external affiliates.
• Support division initiatives that may include collecting data, conducting research, and preparing reports related to business and operational goals.
• Uphold Laboratory safety and security standards and ensure confidentiality when handling sensitive and/or classified information.
• Foster and maintain a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Professional Staff Assistant 1 – $66,100 – $103,600

At the Professional Staff Assistant 1 level, you will provide professional administrative support under general direction, applying established principles and procedures to support moderately complex organizational activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with procurement requests, budget tracking, and financial reporting.
• Receive functional and operational direction from the Staff Operations Manager.
• Collaborating with human resources, security, procurement, facilities, and other teams to resolve administrative issues while keeping leadership informed.
• Ensuring compliance with Laboratory policies and procedures.

This level is ideal for a professional building depth in organizational systems and administrative operations within a complex environment.

Professional Staff Assistant 2 – $72,800 – $115,400

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the Professional Staff Assistant 2 provides advanced administrative and operational support under limited direction and exercises independent judgement in managing diverse and complex assignments.

At this level, you will:

• Independently manage complex leadership calendars and high‑visibility engagements.
• Conduct research, assemble and analyze data, and prepare specialised reports, presentations, and planning documents.
• Assist in the analysis, design, and implementation of business, operational, and programmatic initiatives.
• Track and report progress toward business and operational goals to the Division SOM.
• Serve as a resource to staff and managers regarding policies, procedures, and administrative processes.
• Provide guidance to administrative assistants and students, as appropriate.

This level requires demonstrated experience supporting complex organisational functions and the ability to anticipate leadership needs while operating with considerable independence.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experience providing professional administrative support in a business, operational, or programmatic environment.
• Experience coordinating meetings, travel, and visitor logistics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of internal staff and external affiliates.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also working independently under direction.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities under strict deadlines.
• Proficiency with standard office software applications.
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or classified information with discretion.
• Commitment to maintaining safety, security, and a respectful and inclusive workplace.

Additional Job Requirements for Professional Staff Assistant 2

• Demonstrated experience operating with limited supervision and exercising independent judgement.
• Experience analysing administrative or operational issues and recommending solutions.
• Experience independently preparing specialised reports and planning documents.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a resource to others and provide guidance to administrative staff or students.
• Strong working knowledge of organisational policies, procedures, and governance requirements.

Education / Experience – Lower Level

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education / Experience – Higher Level

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Working knowledge of standard administrative principles, practices, and tools relevant to specialised support functions.
• Familiarity with Laboratory systems such as Oracle, Concur, Time & Effort, SharePoint, and related systems.
• Understanding of Laboratory structure, policies, and administrative procedures.
• Experience supporting senior leadership.
• Experience working with sensitive and/or classified information.
• Existing Department of Energy "Q" clearance (or equivalent).

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.

For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive resume and cover letter reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above.

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 favourable 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

Position will be cleared to Q 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 authorisation 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 authorisation 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 legalised 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.

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, colour, 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.