Technician - Radiochemical Science

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a technician to support radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, and wet chemistry in the 325RPL Building. The role operates in a Hazard Category II facility with radiological materials and controlled areas.

You will conduct research activities, adapt procedures, and maintain documentation while collaborating with a diverse team and ensuring safety standards are followed.

Qualifications

• Required high school diploma or GED with experience in chemistry or radiological materials.
• Technical Institute or AA degree with related chemistry exposure is acceptable.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support radiochemistry and analytical chemistry tasks in a laboratory setting.
• Perform routine to specialized wet chemistry procedures under supervision.
• Document data and maintain proper lab records.
• Collaborate with staff across multiple organizations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma/GED

Technical Institute or AA degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Teams

Job description

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Nuclear Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, delivers science and technology innovations for the environment, energy, and national security. At a time when complex challenges are emerging on many fronts, we address some of the most challenging national and international nuclear issues. This includes providing technological solutions that protect the public health and safety around nuclear facilities, developing durable new materials for extreme nuclear environments, innovating new nuclear processes for the safety and security of the nation, and delivering new approaches for accelerating environmental cleanup of nuclear sites. The division’s capabilities and efforts are focused on environmental management of nuclear sites, nuclear regulatory processes, national nuclear security, and advancing nuclear energy.

Responsibilities

The Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering (NCE) Group is seeking an outstanding technician for research support of a wide variety of activities involving radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, separation chemistry, and general wet chemistry in the 325RPL Building. The radiochemical processing laboratory (RPL) is a Hazard Category II Nuclear Facility with capability for performing work on dispersible and highly radioactive and hazardous materials. The candidate will be working with radioactive materials and chemicals in laboratories that are in radiological controlled areas, including radiation areas, radioactive material areas, and contamination areas.

Conducts research and development activities including standard technical procedures that range from routine to specialized, under technical supervision. Operates in laboratory workspaces equipped with fume hoods, glove boxes and with specialized instrumentation in order to conduct research.

• May adapt existing procedures to relevant processes or prepare new ones.
• May perform non-routine tasks requiring the exercise of independent judgment.
• Record, reduce and report technical data.
• Prepare and maintain proper documentation.
• Recognize and report technical challenges and propose possible solutions.
• Requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a diverse team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED and 2 years of relevant work experience involving chemistry, radiological materials or the building, operation, or troubleshooting of complex systems -OR-
• Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 1 year of relevant work experience involving chemistry, radiological materials or the building, operation, or troubleshooting of complex systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Chemistry background, particularly inorganic chemistry, molten salt or fluoride/chloride chemistry.
• Hands-on experience performing wet chemistry work in research environment.
• Experience working with radiological materials.
• Experience building, maintaining and troubleshooting complex systems.
• Capability to perform detailed-oriented tasks.
• Ability to use the Microsoft suite of software specifically including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Flexibility to work on diverse tasks and ability to learn new methods and new computer/analytical software.
• Established organization and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate activities with multiple staff/organizations.
• Ability to clearly communicate needs and expectations to others.
• Desire to learn and a questioning attitude.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Candidate will be trained and must perform to Radiation Worker standards (Radiological Worker II), as well as building and project procedures for managing radioactive and hazardous materials.
• Work is performed in the radiochemical processing laboratory – a Cat II non-reactor nuclear facility. Will require working with radioactive materials.

Additional Information

Not Applicable.

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [e-mail].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a "country of risk" without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• robust telehealth care options
• several mental health benefits
• free wellness coaching
• health savings account
• flexible spending accounts
• basic life insurance
• disability insurance*
• employee assistance program
• business travel insurance
• tuition assistance
• relocation
• backup childcare
• legal benefits
• supplemental parental bonding leave
• surrogacy and adoption assistance
• fertility support

Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*.

Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $27.07/Hr.

Maximum Salary

USD $38.56/Hr.