Operations Specialist 5

PNNL’s Energy and Environment Directorate (EED), led by Associate Laboratory Director Jud Virden, views energy and the environment as inextricably linked, and believes energy solutions can't be achieved without associated environmental solutions. Working from this perspective, our organization of 1,700 staff applies an impressive portfolio of scientific and technical capabilities to invent a better future for America and the world.

EED's efforts include:

• Development and deployment of coastal science and engineering capabilities to empower a scientific approach to energy, environment, and security.
• Basic and applied research in Earth system science modeling.
• Ultratrace detection of compounds in the terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.
• Development of comprehensive numerical modeling in coastal and ocean systems.
• Development and testing of marine energy technologies.
• Environmental monitoring, and water quality and biogeochemical process modeling.

The position is based on-site at the PNNL Sequim Campus, which is located on the Olympic Peninsula and is home to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) only Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory. The location of the campus allows us to go from bench to bay to enable research to support a variety of ocean-based applications including renewable energy development, coastal resilience and planning, and research and technology development of importance to our sponsors.

To learn more about the research conducted at the PNNL Sequim Campus, visit this link (https://www.pnnl.gov/pnnl-sequim).

Relocation is available to qualified applicants.

EED is seeking an outstanding Operations Specialist to provide leadership and safety oversight of EED’s portfolio of research operations across the PNNL Sequim Campus.

Responsibilities Include:

• Integrates operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions across research and support organizations to enable and enhance effective and efficient project execution in support of the Laboratory mission.
• Maintains awareness of existing and planned changes in the operational risk profile of assigned research operating envelope.
• Maintains situational awareness of operational needs and emerging regulatory requirements, providing analysis of options and recommendations to mitigate exposure to operational risk and reduce the frequency of operational upset conditions.
• During upset conditions, assists management in the identification and implementation of immediate actions. This may include leading or participating in fact gatherings and accident investigation, participating in causal analyses, and identifying and managing corrective actions and corrective actions lessons learned.
• Evaluates the need for and provides necessary Subject Matter Expert (SME) support to line management, staff, and Project Management Offices to assist with project planning, assessment activities, risk identification and mitigation.
• Supports day-to-day work being conducted in research spaces including coordinating, scheduling, and logistics of contractors, Facilities & Infrastructure Operations (F&IO) personnel, and other visiting researchers, including utilization of equipment, systems, and capabilities within their assigned spaces.
• Conducts risk reviews in the Electronic Prep & Risk System – reviews safety questions with Project Managers and approve operations risks. 
• Provides oversight to Lab Assist activities (training, planning, assessments, routine operations, hazards analysis) and fosters collaboration to grow the skills of others.
• Represents EED management for lab space related issues, including overseeing project, equipment, and laboratory startups.
• Interfaces and communicates research needs, including lab modifications and other facility needs, to SMEs and F&IO personnel [building managers, and engineers] to assure operational needs are met to support Research & Development (R&D) mission needs.
• Encourages and facilitates communications between R&D management, researchers, F&IO, Operations team, and support staff about impacts to normal operations (planned outages, emergency situations, construction impacts, etc.) to mitigate and minimize impacts to R&D.
• Coordinates operations and performs duties within the DOE and appropriate regulatory agencies requirements.
• Proactively identifies issues and collaboratively develops solutions to assist in implementation of new PNNL-wide actions/initiatives.
• Performs assessments and participates in audits from internal and external sources (e.g., PNNL program assessments, independent oversight assessments, WA Department of Ecology audits).
• Exercises judgment in selecting operational approaches and resolution of issues.
• Works independently and has growing responsibility, with little oversight.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 9 years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 7 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with relevant PNNL systems and processes (EPR/Lab Assist).
• Experience with lab and facility readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of roles (scientists, building management, engineers, line management, subject matter experts).
• Excellent written and verbal communication and proven leadership skills.
• Ability to lead cross-function teams and synthesize complex technical information to a variety of stakeholders.
• Preference for experience working in coastal and marine settings, including boating and diving.

• Willing to work in a laboratory, marine, and industrial setting.

This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required.

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

The position is based on-site at the PNNL Sequim Campus, which is located on the Olympic Peninsula and is home to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) only Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory. The location of the campus allows us to go from bench to bay to enable research to support a variety of ocean-based applications including renewable energy development, coastal resilience and planning, and research and technology development of importance to our sponsors.

To learn more about the research conducted at the PNNL Sequim Campus, visit this link (https://www.pnnl.gov/pnnl-sequim).

Relocation is available to qualified applicants.

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential.  To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

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PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Salary : $123,500 - $195,200