Scientist 2/3

N3B Los Alamos, LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

N3B Los Alamos, LLC is seeking a Scientist 2/3 (Environmental) to support field environmental characterization, site surveys, sampling, and data handling for the N3B RCRA remediation program at Los Alamos.

You will assist technicians, project managers, and engineers with field activities, planning, and paperwork, including plan development, sampling, logs, and chain of custody, while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Pre-employment drug screen and Fit-for-Duty evaluation as applicable.
• May be required to attain and maintain a DOE L/Q clearance.
• Experience in environmental, radiation, or geotechnical industries.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with the LANL site and work environment preferred.
• PIC (Person-in-Charge) experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as junior field team member for environmental sampling.
• Support project manager and field leads on remediation projects.
• Collect soil, water, and vapor samples following SOPs.
• Prepare field summary reports and maintain chain of custody.
• Coordinate with project leads and SMO for sample submission.
• Contribute to regulatory and health & safety documentation.
• Operate field equipment and troubleshoot sampling gear.

Skills

Driver's license

Drug screening

DOE clearance

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Field sampling

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, engineering technology, or related field

Job description

Position Location

This position is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Los Alamos is a tight-knit mountain community that consistently ranks as one of Livability.com's Best Small Towns in America. The city is a top spot for outdoor enthusiasts as it has more than 120 hiking and biking trails, and residents enjoy easy access to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Thanks to the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos' presence in the area, Los Alamos also has a college-town vibe that's a major draw for young professionals, families, and retirees.

Position Summary

This Scientist 2/3 (Environmental) position will focus primarily on assisting in the field with environmental characterization work. This includes participating in site surveys, and assisting technicians, project managers, and engineers with preparation for field activities, field work, and sampling paperwork for Material Disposal Areas (MDA) and Aggregate Area (AA) soil investigation and remediation activities for the N3B RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) Remediation Program.

The Scientist 2/3 (Environmental) will also support the planning and execution of environmental investigation and remediation efforts. These include, but are not limited to, participating in or leading the development or revision of sampling work plans, plan of the day and plan of the week scheduling, collecting samples, completing applicable field paperwork/sample collection logs, ensuring chain of custody of field samples, and submitting samples to N3B's Sample Management Office (SMO)while supporting the safe execution of the work. Additionally, the role includes preparing daily summary reports and compiling, organizing, scanning, and filing field records and documentation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities (may include, but are not limited to):

• Serve as a junior field team member for the sampling of environmental projects.
• Serve as technical team member for a project, working with the Project Manager, the Field Team Lead, and RCRA technical team SMEs.
• Support environmental remediation field investigations.
• Collect soil, water, and vapor samples in accordance with standard operating procedures. Ensure all safety, quality, and investigation requirements are met. Document and report investigation activities.
• Write field summary reports from each sampling campaign.
• Report and interpret sample results in the context of the nature and extent of contamination.
• Contribute to regulatory reports.
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, health and safety plans, and other field implementation documents.
• Peer review internal and regulatory reports.
• Work with minimum supervision.
• Apply general scientific, engineering, and mathematical knowledge to field investigations.
• Operate typical field equipment and troubleshoot sample collection equipment as applicable.
• Utilize typical office computer software and systems.
• Apply standard methods and procedures to accomplish routine tasks.
• Effectively communicate and work as a collaborative team contributor.
• Ensure collection of authorized environmental media and waste samples.
• Review field work for completeness and accuracy, properly documenting all work completed.
• Maintain quality control throughout the sample collection process.
• Coordinate with and take direction from project leads as required.
• Support the project with requesting site access, data entry, and report preparation, as needed.
• Comply with and support the implementation of all health & safety policies and practices.
• Perform other duties in support of the Environmental Remediation Program as assigned.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; and nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

• Must possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record without restrictions.
• A pre-employment drug screen in compliance with federal regulations is required, along with a Fit-for-Duty physical evaluation, if applicable.
• The qualified candidate may be required to attain and maintain a DOE L/Q clearance.
• Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Experience in the environmental, radiation, and/or geotechnical industries.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Skill and ability to perform field and technical tasks and to analyze and develop innovative solutions to problems.
• Ability to recommend approaches for new and improved processes.
• Ability to work with broad objectives, with latitude to determine the best way to accomplish tasks.
• Proficient communication, mathematical, reasoning, and computer skills necessary to perform essential functions of the job.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented project environment.
• Familiarity with the LANL site and work environment preferred.
• PIC (Person-in-Charge) experience preferred.

Education and Experience Required

Level 2

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, engineering technology, or equivalent related to the work to be performed and 3 years of experience. Previous experience in sample collection, radiological contamination and site safety, waste management, and regulatory requirements associated with construction, environmental, or facility operations projects is desirable.

A combination of education and experience will be considered for equivalency.

Level 3

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, engineering technology, or equivalent related to the work to be performed and 5-8 years of experience. Previous experience in sample collection, radiological contamination and site safety, waste management, and regulatory requirements associated with construction, environmental, or facility operations projects is desirable.

A combination of education and experience will be considered for equivalency.

Business Associations

Level 2: Primarily internal company contacts. Infrequent inter-organization and outside customer contacts on routine matters.

Level 3: Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts. Represents organization in providing solutions to difficult technical issues associated with specific projects.

Impact

Level 2: Contributes to completion of milestones associated with specific projects. Failure to achieve results or erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause delays in program schedules and may result in allocation of additional resources.

Level 3: Contributes to completion of specific programs and projects. Failure to obtain results or erroneous decisions or recommendations would typically result in serious program delays and considerable expenditures of resources.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Normally assigned to perform work in a field environment. Must be able to stand for long periods of time and work beyond a normal 40-hour work week. Work is performed in a field setting in all weather conditions. Physical demand requirements are more than those for sedentary work:

• Exerts up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• May carry or move up to 30 pounds.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, hike, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Required to stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Potential field hazards include heat and cold stress, noise, and slips/trips/falls.
• Requires adequate visual acuity and manual dexterity to meet the requirements of the discipline.
• Regularly required to talk and hear.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Safety, Security, and Quality

While working to achieve N3B LLCC objectives, the Scientist 2/3 (Environmental) will ensure all activities and operations are performed in a safe and deliberate manner, to include protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This role will maintain required safety, security, and operational training; assure procedural and regulatory compliance; and make safety, security, and quality an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.

Equal Opportunities

N3B is an equal opportunity employer. N3B will ensure no applicant for employment or employee is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs.