Operational Support Specialist 1/ 2

Operations Support Specialist

This position will be filled at either the Operation Support Specialist 1 or 2 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. Come and join an innovative team conducting groundbreaking research in defense of our nation! Plutonium Infrastructure Engineering (PIE) is a Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) that will develop, maintain, and apply a diverse set of nuclear facility engineering capabilities to provide innovative solutions to enable the Laboratory's scientific and national security mission. We are seeking an Operational Support Specialist (OSS) Level 1 and/or Level 2 to assists in the operations functions of facilities, programs, business activities, and other areas that require functional support for meeting deliverables. This position assists process-based activities such as shipping and receiving, laboratory sample-processing, operations processes of facilities, and other roles needed to support operations. Duties broadly include working to support an operation or functional process, maintaining quality and accuracy of the process, and reliably assisting in seeing the process through to completion. This includes delivering on this work safely and in compliance with Laboratory policies and other regulatory requirements. Additional duties may include improving documentation, identifying process improvements, budgeting, administrative assistance, providing guidance for other workers and feedback to supervisors, and supporting all aspects of the activity to ensure end-to-end success of the process or operation. Includes support the Laboratory mission and specifically Engineering, Procurement, and Fabrication by supporting the management of fabrication, design, construction, maintenance, or site services subcontracts from conception to closeout for the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Implements construction, maintenance, or site services subcontract management in accordance with established Acquisition Services Management Division and Construction Management Division or Maintenance and Site Services division policies and procedures. Provides support to more experienced sub-contract technical representatives in the management of subcontracts for the Laboratory. Additional duties / assignment as an Administrative Subcontractor Technical Representative (AdSTR) and Subcontractor Technical Representative (STR).

Operations Support Specialist 1 ($59,200 - $91,600):

• Ensures safety and security compliance, maintains required training, and integrates safety and security into all tasks, including stopping work if unsafe or compromising security.
• Provides direct support of operations in programs, facilities, or organizations that have an operational or process-based deliverable.
• Ensures processes are followed through to completion with efficiency, accuracy, and with high quality, while understanding and maintaining priorities.
• Follows established procedures, maintains documentation such as record-keeping, budget and cost-tracking, inventory-tracking; develops documentation when necessary.
• Communicates and coordinates with team members, supervisors, and other organizations to meet deliverables, anticipate obstacles, and understand priorities.
• Assists with developing detailed plans to manage processes, scope, quality, efficiency, risks, communications, and professional responsibilities.
• Performs administrative tasks such as procurement's, travel, scheduling, and office/personnel support. Develops and issues procurement packages, including Statements of Work, Subcontractor Submittals, and requirements for technical, quality, security, and environmental, safety, and health aspects.
• Assist with the developing, reviewing, and issuing Commercial Grade Dedication packages in accordance with the Commercial Grade Dedication Program.
• Assists with and coordinates the review and revision of procedures, scope, and process development and improvement pertaining to organizational or facility operations.
• Provides issues management support for a diverse range of complex issues where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors, including the compilation, review, and assessment of data and the development of management assessments and/or recommendations.

Operations Support Specialist 2 ($71,200 - $112,900):

• In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level, assists in developing corrective actions that accurately address apparent and root cause analysis, data analysis, project management, safety and coordination of presentations and briefings and conducting critiques.
• Contributes to the organization's goals and objectives. Resolves a wide range of issues in creative ways.
• Provides customer service to internal customers and external customers.
• Networks with senior internal and external personnel in own area of expertise. Requires limited responsibility for making routine contacts on general manners outside of the immediate organization.
• Works under limited direction; receives general instructions on new assignments. Work is evaluated upon completion to ensure objectives have been met.

What You Need:

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Operational Knowledge: Entry-level understanding of the scope, processes, methodologies, and requirements related to the operation, including physical and cyber security. Basic knowledge of the organization/facility, programs, deliverables, quality standards, integrated safety, work activities, and work control.
• Process Improvement: Entry-level knowledge of process-improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Human Performance Initiative, and 5S, with the ability to identify and apply similar initiatives. Ability to follow and contribute to improvements in procedures, policies, and processes.
• Compliance: Ability to follow and contribute to improvements in procedures, policies, and processes.
• Communication & Collaboration: Proven ability to communicate clearly across interpersonal, written, and verbal channels, and to collaborate with team members, departments, and customers to resolve issues, set expectations, and manage complete workflows.

Additional Job Requirements for Operation Specialist 2:

• Foundational Knowledge of Operations: Basic understanding of operational scope, facility processes, deliverables, quality standards, work control, and integrated safety practices relevant to the role.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration: Proven ability to communicate complex operational and quality assurance concepts to diverse audiences and collaborate with cross-functional teams to define expectations, resolve issues, and execute end-to-end processes.
• Process Improvement & Best Practices: Knowledge of process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Human Performance Initiative, 5S) and ability to identify and support improvements in procedures, policies, and workflows.
• Problem Solving & Analytical Skills: Skilled in researching issues, evaluating alternative solutions, and recommending improvements affecting operations and quality assurance.
• Safety & Conduct of Operations: Solid understanding of safety protocols, operational hazards, lock-out/tag-out procedures, configuration management, and conduct of operations principles.

Documentation: Knowledge of document control systems and records management practices.

Quality Assurance: Familiar with quality assurance standards for maintaining accurate and compliant documentation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to conceptualize and communicate elements of operations and quality assurance to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Working knowledge of the Laboratory's issues management process and performance measurement processes.
• Demonstrated skill with interpersonal, written, and verbal communications.
• Working and demonstrated knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures. Knowledge of requirements drivers such as DOE orders, federal regulations, and business and operations systems and standard software applications.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance (which usually requires U.S. citizenship).

Education/Experience at lower level:

• Position requires an Associate's Degree and 2 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 and 4 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

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.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):

• General Physical Mobility, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending. Specific Physical Mobility use of both hands, use of both arms, use of both legs, use of both feet, carry/lift up to 20 pounds.

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