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What You Will Do

The successful applicant will join the Nuclear Chemistry and Spectrometry team in the Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group (C-NR), which focuses on radiometric counting capabilities in support of bioassay, environmental monitoring, nuclear forensics, and nuclear treaty monitoring programs. The selected candidate will work in the C-NR Countroom facility, assisting in daily Countroom activities such as sample processing and loading and working on detector systems. Regarding the latter, the candidate will operate, check, fine tune, troubleshoot, and maintain alpha, beta and/or gamma detectors and electronics. The chosen candidate will also collaborate with colleagues both internal and external to the Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group.

The required training with respect to the safe manipulation of radioactive materials will be provided. This work is related to nuclear security missions and objectives, which requires the individual to protect and maintain sensitive or classified information. Occasional work exercises may require working extended hours.

This position is aligned for potential long-term career growth within C-NR, and the successful applicant will be expected to take on additional technical duties and an increased peer leadership role as they gain experience.

This position will be filled at either the Research Technician 3 or Research Technician 4 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.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Using basic tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, hex keys, files, cutting tools, drills, etc.).

• Experience utilizing electronic testing equipment (e.g. oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc.) and assembling cables.

• Experience reading and interpreting mechanical and/or electrical schematics.

• Testing/replacing components in custom or commercial electronics.

• Basic use of a spreadsheet program, a text editor, and email. For instance, familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite.

• Ability to provide day-to-day technical support while maintaining progress on long-term tasks.

• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.

Additional Job Requirements for Research Technician 4:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Prior work with nuclear instrumentation and detectors, for instance familiarity with alpha, beta and/or gamma detection instrumentation.

• Proven ability to work independently with initiative and complete assignments with minimum direction.

• Demonstrated experience following procedures, including being able to read documented procedures and reduce them to laboratory practice.

• Demonstrated experience ensuring work meets quality specifications.

Education/Experience at lower level: Position requires an Associate's degree in a relevant field and 3 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience at higher level: Position requires an Associate's degree in a relevant field and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Job Requirements:

• Familiarity with grounding techniques and issues.

• Experience working on pressurized gas systems (replacing fittings, pipes, valves, etc.).

• Working knowledge of the electrical code.

• Prior work with automated electromechanical systems.

• CAD drawing skills.

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.

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: Along with your resume, please include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired qualifications. Please also provide your current contact information. While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grown into the full salary band over time.

Where You Will Work

The Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group supports both operational missions and R&D efforts in bioassay, nuclear forensics, nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, treaty monitoring, and weapons programs. Basic research is conducted in areas of radiochemistry, radiometric measurements, materials characterization, mass spectrometry, nuclear chemistry and physics, spectroscopy, and actinide chemistry. Programmatic work supported by C-NR includes maintenance and stewardship of the nuclear stockpile, nuclear forensics, international safeguards, nuclear non-proliferation, treaty monitoring, and bioassay monitoring. C-NR addresses immediate to long-term mission needs for sponsors and has established capabilities and facilities for handling and characterizing radiological materials over a wide range of radioactivity levels. Current major sponsors include the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Strategic Partnerships (Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, and other federal agencies), and LANL institutional support.

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 maternity and parental leave

• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO)

• 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). 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 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. 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 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.