Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Operations Support Specialist 2/3 in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either Operations Support Specialist 2 or Operations Support Specialist 3, depending on the skills of the selected candidate(s). Additional job responsibilities, outlined below, will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. The Operations Support Specialist job function is assigned to various roles within ALDWP. This position is specific to the Specific Process Instruction (SPI) program.
The Weapons Mission Services, Programmatic Training & Mission Services group (WMS-3) is seeking a skilled Operations Support Specialist level (OSS) 2/3 to support various projects within the Mission Services Team. The primary tasks of the position will support the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP) pit production mission, including support organizations.
The OSS-2/3 will report to the WMS-3 Mission Services team First Line Manager (FLM), supporting customer organizations under the guidance of the SPI program lead. Efficiency and accuracy are a requirement of this role. The selected candidate must be proficient in the Microsoft 365 suite of software (MS Excel, Word, Teams, etc.) and other supporting software applications. Key qualities of the selected candidate include a positive attitude, a desire to learn new skills and the intricacies of the SPI program, strong attention to detail skills, and a collaborative, customer service mindset.
This position may support 24/7 operations. Those employees selected for alternative shifts are eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.
Operations Support Specialist 2 Job Duties:
Assist with the full lifecycle of assigned Specific Process Instructions (SPIs), providing direct support to customers, and ensuring that the SPI process is followed efficiently and accurately with high quality and attention to detail.
Collaborate with technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to author, validate, and optimize SPI content in support of production readiness and operational/process-based deliverables.
Directly support the configuration management of design deviations and changes, ensuring traceability, risk mitigation, and conformance with protocols across multiple high-consequence production lines, adhering to institutional and local requirements.
Coordinate SPI routing through applicable Document Control systems, ensuring procedural rigor, auditability, and compliance with classified information protocols.
Administer enterprise documentation systems and digital repositories, driving data integrity, version control, and long-term accessibility to support mission assurance and system health.
Assist the primary liaison for SPI governance within the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production, policy compliance standards, and documentation strategy.
Assist with review and revision of SPI program procedures, desktop instructions (DIs), and other process documents to ensure SPI process improvement.
Provide customer service to internal and external stakeholders and customers of the SPI program.
This position also may be cross trained to other functions within the Mission Services team.
Operations Support Specialist 2 Job Knowledge/Ability Requirements:
Entry-level knowledge of the scope, processes, methodologies, and requirements for document control and records management processes.
Entry-level knowledge of the facility, program, and associated deliverables associated with the SPI program.
Familiarity with Laboratory policies, procedures, and DOE requirements, including training, qualification, and readiness standards.
An understanding of integrated safety, work control, and compliance requirements within facility operations.
Ability to follow, evaluate, and improve procedures, policies, and end-to-end work processes.
Working/demonstrated knowledge of LANL policies and procedures and knowledge of requirements/drivers such as DOE Orders, federal regulations, etc.
Salary Range for Operations Support Specialist 2: $72,800-$115,400
Operations Support Specialist 3 Job Duties:
The primary difference between the level 2 and level 3 position is a reduction in supervision, assumption of more leadership and independent performance of assigned duties, and advanced, rather than entry-level knowledge of key SPI program concepts.
Oversee and support the full lifecycle of assigned Specific Process Instructions (SPIs), providing direct support to customers, and ensuring that the SPI process is followed efficiently and accurately with high quality and attention to detail.
Collaborate with technical Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to author, validate, and optimize SPI content in support of production readiness and operational/process-based deliverables.
Provide leadership for the configuration management of design deviations and changes, ensuring traceability, risk mitigation, and conformance with protocols across multiple high-consequence production lines, adhering to institutional and local requirements.
Administer enterprise documentation systems and digital repositories, driving data integrity, version control, and long-term accessibility to support mission assurance and system health.
Assist the primary liaison for SPI governance within the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), policy compliance standards, and documentation strategy.
Lead review and revision of SPI program procedures, desktop instructions (DIs), and other process documents to ensure SPI process improvement.
Provides high-level customer service to internal and external stakeholders and customers of the SPI program, providing oversight and leadership for assigned scope areas as assigned.
This position also may be cross trained to other functions within the Mission Services team.
Operations Support Specialist 3 Additional Job Knowledge:
Advanced knowledge of the scope, processes, methodologies, and requirements for document control and records management processes.
Advanced knowledge of the facility, program, and associated deliverables associated with the SPI program.
Advanced knowledge of Laboratory policies, procedures, and DOE requirements, including training, qualification, and readiness standards.
Demonstration of advanced independent research, analysis, and implemented solutions for operations/process improvement.
Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex operational concepts to diverse audiences.
Ability to cross-train in more than one mission area of the Mission Services Team, to include processing Engineering Authorization (EAs) and assisting with deliverables for other organizations that are supported.
Salary Range for Operations Support Specialist 3: $87,800-$143,900
#shiftwork
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter and resume that addresses the key requirements of the position.
Education/Experience for Operations Support Specialist 2: Position requires an Associate's Degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution and 4 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience for Operations Support Specialist 3 : Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution and 5 years of directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
At this level, post graduate course work may be desirable.
Knowledge and Skills:
Knowledge of and experience in operational work, specifically in data management, metrics generation, and status reporting mechanisms.
Demonstrated skillset in high attention to detail with technical administrative processes and protocol.
Organization and Time Management:
Demonstrated ability to organize, manage, prioritize and follow-through to completion on multiple tasks, often under strict deadlines, with frequent interruptions, and changing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, high accuracy, and fluid working environment.
Ability in planning and executing to defined due dates, documenting actions completed, providing status on actions completed, and completing all work tasks with some direction.
Business Systems:
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with standard business software, including the Microsoft Office Suite (particularly with Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, and SharePoint), WebEx, Adobe applications, etc.
Critical Thinking:
Proven ability to research, compile, and interpret technical data derived from multiple sources to produce reliable metrics, trends, and forecasts related to projects.
Utilize data to recommend solutions.
Communication:
Communicates and coordinates with team-members, supervisors, and other involved organizations to ensure that deliverables are efficiently met, obstacles are anticipated, and priorities are clearly understood.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills while interacting effectively with people throughout the organization hierarchy and in partnership with internal support organizations.
Ability to communicate program requirements and detailed elements to both technical and non-technical personnel.
Desired Qualifications:
Advanced understanding of Quality Assurance requirements that flow down to programmatic operational customers supporting nuclear weapons scope, emphasizing Weapons Quality, Conduct of Operations, Laboratory records management, document development, and configuration management.
Knowledge of organizational improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Human Performance Initiative, and/or 5S.
Lead continuous improvement and innovation in documentation practices, identifying systemic gaps, leveraging data insights, and driving process enhancements in collaboration with engineering, quality, and operations stakeholders.
Experience working with confidential or proprietary information, classified documents, or sensitive information.
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Work Schedule: This position may/will require 24/7 coverage, which could/will involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for the shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.
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.
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located 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 childbirth and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (PTO 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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
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. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
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 P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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 applicable federal, state and local 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 (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.