Project/Program Specialist 1

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico is seeking a Project/Program Specialist 1 to coordinate career development events, communications, and program activities for postdoctoral researchers and students. This role helps researchers connect with colleagues, build professional skills, and prepare for the next step in their careers.

You will support planning, communications, data reporting, and collaboration with the PSPO team, working hybrid in Los Alamos.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively across various stages of a project's lifecycle—planning through execution, tracking, and closeout.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating career development events, workshops, and networking activities from planning through follow-up and reporting.
• Developing audience-appropriate program communications and managing distributions.
• Assisting with coordination of selection committees, invitations, and follow through of decisions.
• Maintaining relational database entries; compiling metrics and routine reports.
• Working with PSPO team to foster a positive, solutions-oriented culture.
• Applying Lab policies on safety, security, access, and event protocol.

Skills

Project coordination

Organization skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Relational databases

Job description

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.

Help support the people behind the science at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The Postdoc and Student Programs Office (PSPO) is seeking a motivated and collaborative Project/Program Specialist 1 to coordinate career development events, communications, and program activities for postdoctoral researchers and students. Through this work, you will help researchers connect with colleagues, build professional skills, and prepare for the next step in their careers while contributing to LANL missions.

On any given day, responsibilities may include:

• Coordinating career development events, workshops, and networking activities from planning through follow-up and reporting. This includes managing schedules, invitations, venues, event materials, and onsite delivery; anticipating scheduling conflicts and coordinating with other teams.
• Developing clear, audience-appropriate program communications, highlights, event announcements, other marketing materials, and managing distribution and notifications.
• Assisting with coordinating selection committees, to include invitations, tracking committee membership, requesting nominations, and follow through of committee decisions.
• Supporting the team with maintaining relational database entries; compiling metrics and other program data; preparing routine reports and identifying trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Working closely with the PSPO team, contributing to a positive, solutions-oriented team culture and engage constructively in team planning and strategy discussions.
• Applying Laboratory policies, procedures, and applicable requirements to assigned activities, including safety, security, access, and event protocol; confirming requirements with the appropriate offices when needed.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Project and Program Coordination

• Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively across various stages of a project's lifecycle- from initial planning through execution, tracking, and closeout- both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

Communication and Collaboration

• Experience developing and coordinating communications or marketing materials for different audiences.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with multiple levels of internal and external customers.
• Ability to clearly convey information through emails, visual summaries (tables/figures), and at meetings.
• Ability to work across teams, clarify responsibilities and deadlines, address routine coordination concerns constructively, and provide clear task guidance to others as assigned.

Tools and Systems

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; ability to use spreadsheets to organize, check, and summarize program information.
• Ability to learn and use databases or other tracking systems to maintain accurate records, retrieve information, and prepare routine reports.

Education and Experience

Position requires a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution and at least 2 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the role.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or professional development activities, including schedules, presenter arrangements, logistics and follow-up.
• Experience working with relational databases or reporting tools, checking data quality, and using participation or feedback data to recommend program improvements.
• Familiarity with educational or research programs and related human resources functions.
• Experience working with people from different backgrounds and career stages.

Work Location:

The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

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:

• Official Laboratory travel may be required; approximately 1-2 occasions per 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)

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.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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.

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.