Operations Support Specialist 2/3

Operations Support Specialist

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the nation's premier plutonium center of excellence. At LANL, we ensure the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile while advancing research in national security, space exploration, geophysics, renewable energy, supercomputing, medicine, and nanotechnology. Our advanced nuclear facility emphasizes precision machining and strict adherence to industry standards in a high-tech manufacturing environment. The Pit Technologies (PT) Division, part of the Associate Laboratory Directorate for Weapons Production (ALDWP), is instrumental in delivering top-quality plutonium pit-related products and services. This division is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the performance of nuclear components while adhering to rigorous compliance and safety protocols. At Los Alamos National Laboratory, we solve national security challenges through simultaneous excellence. The Pit Technologies Division Office (PT-DO) seeks a highly motivated Operations Support Specialist 2/3 to join our dynamic team. PT-DO supports safe, efficient, and compliant operations across multiple key facilities and organizations. In this role, you will help ensure the effective execution of operational processes, provide administrative and logistical support for the division, and contribute to the success of LANL's national security mission. The PT-DO fosters a collaborative environment, offering opportunities to learn new skillsets and grow professionally while working alongside dedicated professionals committed to operational excellence. This position will be filled at either the Operations Support Specialist 2 or Operations Support Specialist 3 level, depending on the skills, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Additional responsibilities and higher expectations are outlined below for the higher level:

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

• Serve as a primary point of operational support within PT-DO, coordinating daily activities, documentation, and logistics to maintain smooth operations across facilities.
• Support process-based operational activities, ensuring compliance with Laboratory, DOE, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and improve operational documentation, including records, inventory, procedural tracking, and configuration management through systems such as Archibus, Excel, SharePoint, and other institutional interfaces.
• Assist with procurement, budgeting, travel coordination, and resource scheduling to meet project and facility operational needs.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, safety, and quality assurance, applying continuous improvement methodologies.
• Support issue management and corrective actions, including data analysis, root-cause identification, and development of recommendations to resolve operational or compliance concerns.
• Communicate and coordinate effectively with technical teams, supervisors, and other organizations to ensure objectives are met, obstacles are anticipated, and priorities are clear.
• Participate in readiness, self-assessment, and performance review activities, ensuring documentation and corrective actions are accurately maintained.
• Uphold safety, security, and environmental stewardship as integral components of all work activities, stopping work when conditions are unsafe or noncompliant.
• Provide customer service and administrative support to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely, professional, and accurate communication.
• Foster a respectful and professional work environment aligned with LANL's core values and Integrated Safety Management principles.

Operations Support Specialist 3 ($85,900-$139,900) In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level, at this level you will:

• Function as a senior operational resource, providing mentorship and guidance to lower-level staff.
• Lead or coordinate complex, multi-organizational operational initiatives and special projects.
• Develop, review, and refine procedures and processes; author or approve documentation for process control and compliance.
• Analyze trends and metrics to identify systemic performance gaps and propose strategic solutions.
• Provide subject-matter expertise in operational efficiency, integrated safety management, and conduct-of-operations.
• Independently plan, prioritize, and complete assignments with minimal supervision, exercising sound judgment in decision-making and problem-solving.
• Support audits, assessments, and readiness activities; develop and track corrective action plans to closure.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills, with proven accuracy in tracking deliverables and maintaining documentation. Experience in records and document management, process improvement, and use of institutional systems (e.g., Archibus, Excel, SharePoint, iTrack).
• Process Management: Demonstrated ability to follow, evaluate, and improve operational procedures, policies, and processes. Ability to analyze data, identify operational issues, and assist in developing corrective actions and preventive improvements.
• Communication: Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to coordinate across diverse teams and communicate technical and operational information clearly.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with Laboratory systems, DOE operational standards, and safety/quality assurance frameworks.
• Professional Attributes: Commitment to teamwork, inclusion, and a strong safety culture.

Additional Job Requirements for Operations Support Specialist 3 In addition to the responsibilities outlined at the lower level, candidates at this level will:

• Operational Knowledge: Advanced understanding of LANL and DOE operational frameworks, including Conduct-of-Operations, Readiness Reviews, Configuration Management, and Integrated Safety Management (ISM).
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading process improvement or operational integration projects that resulted in measurable efficiency or compliance gains.
• Mentorship and Training: Proven ability to mentor, train, and guide lower-level staff and share institutional knowledge effectively.
• Analysis and Problem Solving: Ability to evaluate complex operational data, develop solutions, and make recommendations to management on efficiency, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Stakeholder Management: Experience interfacing with Laboratory management, external auditors, and regulatory entities.
• Work Management: Demonstrated initiative and ability to manage concurrent priorities independently with limited supervision.

Education/Experience at lower level: 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 at higher level: 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.

DOE Order 426.2: Requires a High School Diploma.

Desired Qualifications:

• Q Clearance (or the ability to obtain one).
• Proven ability to communicate safety, security, and quality assurance practices effectively.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills; ability to succeed in multidisciplinary environments.
• Experience in technical or operational process support, particularly within a nuclear or high-reliability organization.
• Familiarity with process improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Human Performance Improvement (HPI).

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: 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