Research Operations Support Professional

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Savings Accounts

Relocation Assistance

Wellness Programs

Job summary

UT-Battelle seeks an experienced operations support professional to strengthen ORNL’s safety-focused operations. You will be part of an integrated ESH&Q team ensuring safe operation of the DOE neutron-scattering user facility and supporting research staff for compliance with federal/state laws, DOE Orders, and ORNL procedures.

You will work within the Work Management Division, partnering with scientists, researchers, and facility users to develop and maintain SOPs, plans, and work control

Qualifications

• BS degree in a science, engineering, health and safety, operational discipline, or relevant technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of technical experience in operations, research, health and safety, etc.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Division work control point-of-contact (POC) for RSS/Work Planner documentation.
• Coordinate work control reviews to ensure SME input and timely approvals.
• Facilitate operational activities through the work control process to enable safe research objectives.
• Collaborate to write and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and guides.
• Participate in emergency squad duties and schedule compliance walkthroughs.
• Assist with hazardous materials management and chemical inventories.
• Promote Battelle Safe Conduct of Research and continuous safety improvement.
• Deliver ORNL mission by aligning actions with core values (Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, Service).

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication

Independence

Education

BS degree in science/engineering/health and safety/operational discipline

Job description

Requisition Id 17242

Overview

We are seeking an operations support professional to meet expanding needs for operational excellence to accomplish the ORNL cutting-edge scientific research mission. This position will work as part of an integrated ESH&Q team that has responsibility for assuring safe operations of a DOE neutron-scattering user-facility. Additionally, this position will provide operational support to research staff to maintain compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws, DOE Orders, and ORNL policies and procedures regarding work control, space utilization, and facility operations management. This position resides in the Integrated Research Operations Support group in the Work Management Division and will be matrixed to support the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Serve as a Division work control point-of-contact (POC) for research safety summaries (RSS)/Work Planner for Activity Plans (documentation for hazard identification and control). In so doing, coordinates the work control document reviews to ensure sufficient peer and subject matter expert (SME) review and to ensure all work control documents are approved and authorized within the proper timeframe.
• Facilitate completion of the operational activities deemed necessary through the work control process or as requested by researchers to enable research objectives in a manner that ensures the safe and compliant execution of the research mission.
• Collaborate with operations, ESH&Q team, and scientists to gather information and understand workflows at SNS and HFIR, Write, format and maintain Standard Operating Procedures, work instructions, and guides. Regularly review and update existing documentation to reflect process changes and compliance standards.
• Serve as part of the local emergency squad for one or more facilities.
• Schedule and participate in laboratory compliance walkthroughs.
• Serve as a Hazardous Materials Management representative to assist research staff with maintaining, organizing, and reconciling chemical inventories.
• Participate in assessments to verify compliance and program effectiveness associated with the assigned Directorate.
• Abide by and promote the Battelle Safe Conduct of Research principles including being personally responsible for ensuring safe operations, raising safety concerns, using a questioning attitude, considering hazards for every task and where learning never stops.
• Continually seek ways to increase operational efficiencies and improve safety culture in support of the research mission and champion initiatives to do so.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Other Responsibilities Could Include

• Facilitate or participate in event critiques, causal analyses, and corrective action plan development.
• Assist with the implementation of Integrated Safety Management (ISM) into the work planning and execution process with the support of an interdisciplinary operations team.
• Provide technical support in the application of regulatory requirements, procedures and standards that are applicable under 10 CFR 851.
• Participate in assessments to verify compliance and program effectiveness associated with the assigned Directorate.
• Review procurement and subcontract activities for safety, environmental and operational requirements.
• Participate in the review and development of division or directorate level procedures and guidelines as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• A BS degree in a science, engineering, health and safety, operational discipline, or relevant technical field (e.g. industrial hygiene, environmental management, project management, engineering, operations, etc.).
• Minimum of 8 years of technical experience in operations, research, health and safety, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Effectively deliver safety and/or operational presentations and the ability to write detailed reports.
• Experience working as a team player in an ever-changing, multi-discipline, multi-task and integrated/functional organizational environment which requires interfacing with management, researchers, facility users/visitors and operations staff.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary R&D environment or supporting R&D and industrial facilities and operations.
• Knowledge and background in chemical/material identification and evaluation along with experience in hazard analysis and exposure assessment activities.
• Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) practitioner.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Experience with work control processes in a research and development environment and/or industrial environment.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to meet inflexible deadlines on own initiative.
• Experience in the DOE system and ORNL systems such as the Research Hazard Analysis and Control System, Activity Plans system, Integrated Safety Management, SAMS, the Facility Service Center, and the Hazardous Material Management Information System.

Special Requirements

• Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Contributory Pension Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Generous Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Educational Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Employee Discounts

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post‑employment background investigation. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.