TRU Waste Certification Specialist 2/3

What You Will Do
Los Alamos National Laboratory-Carlsbad Operations, is located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and is the location of the Repository Science and Operations (RSO) Program. The RSO program provides technical expertise on transuranic (TRU) waste treatment, packaging, characterization, acceptable knowledge, and transportation; inventory and actinide chemistry research to support the Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO). The successful candidate will assist the National Certification Team (NCT) in loading and certification of shipments of transuranic (TRU) waste from small quantity generator sites to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), as well as optimizing loading activities for shipments from Large Quantity Generator Sites. RSO is responsible in providing Mobile Loading (ML) support to the DOE National TRU Program in areas including waste operations, processing, characterization, DOE weapons complex waste inventory, and shipping activities.
This position will be filled at either the TRU Waste Certification Specialist 2 or TRU Waste Certification Specialist 3 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.
TRU Waste Certification Specialist 2 ($71,000 - $112,700)The TRU Waste Certification Specialist 2 will be trained, qualified, and have at a minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience as a TRU Waste Certification Specialist 1 (or equivalent), and will be responsible for ensuring safe and compliant: packaging operations, payload assembly, quality assurance/control, and/or transportation of TRU Mixed Waste in accordance with relevant Central Characterization Program (CCP) and Department of Energy/Waste Isolation Pilot Program (DOE/WIPP) approved procedures. Job assignments will require the performance of compliant loading and closure of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Type B packaging in accordance with the package specific Certificate of Compliance (C of C) and operations procedures (i.e. leak testing and package/mobile loading equipment maintenance). The position will require performance under incredible schedule pressure, and in audit environments. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the conduct of technical reviews of characterization data collected from a broad range of waste characterization techniques to determine whether the waste meets the WIPP Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) and TRAMPAC requirements. Work will be conducted in a highly regulated environment associated with DOE nuclear facilities.
TRU Waste Certification Specialist 3 ($85,400 – $139,600)The TRU Waste Certification Specialist 3 will be trained, qualified, and have at a minimum 2 to 3 years’ experience (as a TRU Waste Certification Specialist 2 (or equivalent), and will be responsible for ensuring safe and compliant: packaging operations, payload assembly, quality assurance/control, and/or transportation of TRU Mixed Waste in accordance with relevant CCP and DOE/WIPP approved procedures; as well as the certification of transportation once packing operations are completed. Job assignments will require the performance, or oversight, of compliant loading and closure of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Type B packaging in accordance with the package specific SARP and operations procedures (i.e. leak testing and package/mobile loading equipment maintenance). This position will also be responsible for the supervision of all lower level TRU Waste Certification Specialists while assigned as crew lead during deployments, and will also serve as a technical resource for the training and qualification process functioning as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the continued advancement of coworkers, as well as new hires. The successful candidate will be responsible for the technical reviews of characterization data collected from a broad range of waste characterization techniques to determine whether the waste meets the WIPP WAC and TRAMPAC requirements. The position will require performance under incredible schedule pressure, and in audit environments. Work will be conducted in a highly regulated environment associated with DOE nuclear facilities.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in operations and/or transportation of TRU Waste.
• Considerable (3+ years) experience in Type B packaging operations and/or transportation of radioactive materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of operational safety, maintenance, conduct of operations, and quality assurance programs as applicable.
• Basic skill in researching, and recommending alternative solutions to problems associated with the management, disposition, coordination, packaging, movement, storage, quality control and/or transportation of TRU Waste.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication and the ability to interact with a variety of constituents.

Additional Job Requirements for TRU Waste Certification Specialist 3:

• Extensive understanding of applicable industrial safety, radiation safety (ALARA) and conduct of operations.
• Demonstrated experience interfacing effectively with all levels of management, employees, customers, and DOE organizations through excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive understanding of applicable safety basis documentation such as facility-related Documented Safety Analysis (DSA), Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), the WIPP WAC, and the WIPP Waste Analysis Plan, the program specific TRAMPACs, as well as the package specific C of C’s.

Training/Certifications: Trained and qualified to ensure compliant packaging, payload assembly, quality control and/or transportation of TRU waste in accordance with relevant CCP and DOE/WIPP procedures; under the CCP Training and Qualification program.
Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and a minimum one year of related experience. Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and a minimum 5 years of experience directly related to the occupation.
Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in ASNT Helium Leak Detection and/or Pressure Change Leak Testing.
• Currently hold, or the capability of acquiring CCP TCO (Transportation Certification Official) qualifications both for Contact Handled (CH) and/or Remote Handled (RH) waste.
• Documentation of the required training and qualifications that include: TCO Qualifications, CCP, and Advanced Hazardous Materials Shipper Certification and DOT certified.
• Demonstrated experience and/or exposure to the process of reviewing, approving payload container contents, and entering and reviewing data in the WIPP Waste Data System (WDS).
• Experience at a National Laboratory or a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)/Department of Energy (DOE) facility.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Laboratory organizational structure, policies and procedures.

Note to Applicants:

• For full consideration, please submit a comprehensive cover letter addressing qualifications and experience related to the stated job requirements for this position.
• Heavy domestic travel is required

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to speak, Sitting, Standing, Color discrimination, Peripheral vision, Depth perception, Reading vision, Distance vision, Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 htz), Walking, Climbing stairs, Applying torque with hands or arms, Gripping with the hands, Typing or keyboarding,
Work Environment: Heavy domestic travel; Outdoors, In a cold environment, Working overtime or irregular schedule, In a very hot environment > 100 F, Work near sources of ionizing radiation, Headgear or head protection, Safety glasses or eye protection, Gloves or hand protection, Safety shoes or protective footgear

Location : This position will be physically located in Carlsbad, NM.

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 .

Where You Will WorkLocated 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 maternity and parental leave § Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually) § Learning opportunities and tuition assistance § Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

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.

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 Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.




Appointment Type Regular
Regular