Property Clerk-LBNFDUNE-US

Fermilab; Lead (SD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Fermilab in Lead, South Dakota, is seeking an Inventory Specialist III for the LBNF/DUNE project. This onsite role supports underground construction materials handling, receiving, and documentation for SURF-area operations.

Applicants should have a HS diploma with 5+ years of related experience (or 3+ years at a DOE lab) and strong Excel/inventory software skills, plus the ability to work safely in underground environments.

Qualifications

• HS diploma with 5+ years of related experience, or 3+ years at a DOE laboratory.
• Strong inventory control, stock management, and material tracking knowledge.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, Excel, and inventory management software.
• Ability to work safely in underground or confined spaces.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Issue and verify tools and materials to crews; reconcile counts per shift.
• Store, transfer, and stage materials in underground and above-ground areas.
• Receive materials, verify against packing slips, and document in inventory systems.
• Generate purchase requisitions for materials and tools.
• Maintain cycle counts and serialized equipment tracking.
• Coordinate underground material movement and ensure safety compliance.
• Operate forklifts, telehandlers, pallet jacks, and related equipment.
• Communicate shortages, delays, or issues to supervisors.
• Perform duties in EH&S-compliant underground logistics.

Skills

Inventory control

Stock management

Material tracking

Microsoft Excel

Underground safety

Forklifts

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

HS diploma + 5+ years experience

DOE laboratory experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Inventory management system

Excel

Job description

The expected hiring range for this position is: $25.72-$31.37.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role:

An Inventory Specialist III is sought to join Fermilab’s Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Project team in Lead, South Dakota. The LBNF/DUNE Project is hosted by Fermilab in Batavia, IL, with participation from universities and laboratories around the world. The project includes construction of a beamline and near detector at Fermilab and a large underground detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. LBNF/DUNE will design and construct one of the largest proposed neutrino experiments in the world over the next several years.

Under minimal supervision, the Inventory Specialist III independently performs material handling, stockroom, and receiving activities to support underground construction operations. Responsibilities include issuing, storing, transferring, receiving, documenting, and verifying counts of construction materials, tools, and equipment used in the subsurface work environment. This role is personally responsible for ensuring all tools and materials required for excavation, installation, structural support, and mechanical/electrical activities are properly tracked and safely delivered to designated underground work zones and teams.

What your day-to-day as an Inventory Specialist III at Fermilab will look like:

• Issues tools and materials to working crews daily and verifies those same tools and materials are accounted for at the end of each shift.
• Stores and transfers construction materials, tools, and consumables located in underground & above ground warehouses & stock rooms.
• Receives incoming materials and equipment, verifies quantities and conditions against packing slips, and prepares documentation for entry into computerized inventory systems.
• Generates purchase requisitions for construction materials and tools.
• Records stock transactions electronically using Inventory management computerized systems.
• Perform routine daily cycle counts, including underground tool inventories, serialized equipment tracking, and consumable usage reports.
• Coordinates and stages materials underground via lifts, hoists, ramps, or designated delivery routes, ensuring safe movement within confined spaces.
• Operates motorized and non-motorized material handling equipment such as forklifts, telehandlers, pallet jacks, carts, or hoist-assist devices.
• Ensures all stored materials meet underground safety requirements, including proper labeling, fire-resistant storage, chemical segregation, and compliance with ventilation regulations.
• Maintains clean, organized, and hazard-free storage areas both above and below ground, including controlling clutter and ensuring materials are secured against movement.
• Assist supervisors and construction leads by communicating shortages, delayed deliveries, damaged materials, or any issues affecting underground project progress.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor to support underground logistics, construction operations, and site safety.
  Abides by and performs all duties in accordance with environmental, health, and safety regulations pertinent to underground construction and material handling standards.

Skills and Attributes for Success:

• HS diploma with 5+ years of extensive related experience, or 3+ years of experience at a DOE laboratory.
• Strong understanding of inventory control practices, stock management, and material tracking.
• Microsoft 365/Excel/Inventory management system experience is a requirement.
• Ability to work safely and efficiently in underground or confined-space environments.
• Skilled in operating material-handling equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, hoists).
• Proficiency with inventory software and digital record systems.
• Strong attention to detail for verifying counts, documentation accuracy, and material quality.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with construction crews, supervisors, and vendors.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple material requests in a fast-pace environment.
• Basic mechanical aptitude for identifying equipment/tool issues and coordinating repairs.
• Problem-solving skills for addressing delivery delays, shortages, or underground logistical challenges.
• Ability to maintain clean, organized, and compliant storage environments above and below ground.

Work Arrangement:

• Onsite – This role is based full-time at the LBNF-DUNE site in Lead, South Dakota, with much of your time working one-mile underground.

The candidate we’re really looking for:

This role goes beyond a traditional Inventory Specialist position. We are seeking a forward planning, highly detail‑oriented individual with exceptional organizational skills and a strong sense of ownership. The ideal candidate is self‑driven, proactive, and consistently looking for ways to improve processes, increase efficiency, and maintain accuracy across all inventory operations.

Why Fermilab:

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre-Employment Screening:

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug‑free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug‑free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD-12

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities

Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab’s Office of General Counsel.

REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus

Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.