Plant Shift Superintendent

Location: Amarillo, TX - Pantex Plant

About the Role

Works as a part of a team in the coordination of plant activities from within the Operations Center (OC). Supports the designated Facility Manager with categorization of all occurrences according to Department of Energy (DOE) orders. Interfaces with DOE Headquarters (HQ) Emergency Operations Center (EOC), DOE Albuquerque Field Office, DOE Amarillo Area Office (AAO) facility representatives, and appropriate contractor management on reportable occurrences.

Responsibilities

• Activation of initial investigations, coordination, management, and submission of occurrence reports.
• Monitors the condition of facilities and utilizes knowledge of in-plant operations.
• Gather information about occurrences to establish appropriate communication links.
• Submits reportable occurrence notifications/reports into the DOE Occurrence Reporting and Processing System.
• Activates/supports the Incident Investigation Team for reportable occurrences or events deemed worthy of formal incident investigation.
• Suspends any operation due to a potential safety concern, Technical Safety Requirements (TSR) violation, or an unresolved safety question.
• Announces emergency notifications via public address or other appropriate system.
• Serve as a Derivative Classifier reviewing documentation created in or forwarded through the Operations Center.
• Initiates the Pantex Emergency Plan and serves as the EOC Director as needed during an emergency situation.
• Provides centralized 24-hour hazardous shipment information in compliance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 170-178.
• Initiates Severe Weather/Freeze Protection/Lightning-Static Potential warning and other notifications.
• Ensures that both DOE and plant line management are fully informed of all events that affect the health and safety of plant personnel or public, seriously impact the intended purpose of the plant, or have an adverse effect on the environment.
• Remains cognizant of ongoing craft/maintenance activities that may impact safety and health or requires turnover of facility to maintenance.
• Maintains/provides real-time status of all identified low and moderate hazard facilities to DOE/AAO, Pantex management.
• Accountable for all direct output assigned and for providing direct output support to his/her manager.
• Responsible for maintaining a thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, DOE, corporate, and plant rules, regulations, and plant-wide operating policies and procedures.
• Responsible for application of established personnel and operating policies and programs, including union agreements, employee concerns, discipline processes, and safety, health, and security standards.
• Successfully complete required training classes (Reference DOE Order 426.2) and management.
• Facilitates/supports plant safety initiatives, provides instruction in safety awareness and training while resolving issues/concerns within the organization.
• Ensures worker involvement in work planning and determination of hazards and control in accordance with Integrated Safety Management (ISM) principles.
• Respects a worker’s right to stop work when they feel their personal safety is jeopardized and resolve the concern in a timely manner.
• Attends and/or conducts required safety meetings and training.
• During off-shift operating hours, weekends, and holidays, coordinates plant operations/activities on behalf of the General Manager.
• In the event of an emergency, takes initial mitigating actions, makes inceptive evaluations and assessments, and conducts coordination of communications with offsite organizations as appropriate.
• Exercises initiative, independent judgment, and discretion, accountable for the results of actions taken.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree: Minimum 4 years of relevant experience. Typical experience ranging from 7 to 10 years.
• OR Master's degree: Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• OR PhD.
• OR applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 12 years of completed education and/or relevant experience.
• Department of Energy (DOE) Order 426.2A Requirements: Baccalaureate in engineering or related science and 4 years nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative. DOE O 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Policy & Procedure Compliance: Demonstrated mastery of Pantex policies, operational procedures, and conduct of operations (COOP). Proven ability to strictly enforce compliance and maintain operational discipline across all shifts.
• Information Security & Systems: Advanced familiarity with both classified and unclassified information systems, ensuring strict adherence to cybersecurity, data handling, and information security protocols.
• Technical Literacy & Equipment Mastery: Deep technical understanding of all relevant plant equipment, control systems, software programs, established procedures, and specialized work techniques necessary to oversee continuous plant operations.
• Administrative & Collaboration Tools: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), electronic mail, Microsoft Teams, and enterprise calendar systems to facilitate seamless reporting and scheduling.
• Leadership & Decision-Making:
  • Independent Judgment & Discretion: Demonstrated ability to perform high-consequence duties while exercising initiative, critical thinking, and decisive independent judgment under general supervision.
  • Emergency Response & Crisis Management: Ability to act as the primary on-site authority during off-hours, coordinating emergency response efforts, liaising with emergency services, and executing established emergency protocols calmly and effectively.
  • Operational Decision-Making: Ability to analyze real-time plant data, identify operational deviations, and make timely, safety-oriented decisions regarding equipment shutdowns, start-ups, and process adjustments.
• Communication & Collaboration:
  • Advanced Communication Skills: Exceptional oral, written, and presentation skills. Ability to clearly articulate complex technical information, operational statuses, and safety briefs to diverse audiences, including shift personnel, senior management, and external regulatory bodies.
  • Shift Handover & Coordination: Proven capability to lead comprehensive, structured shift briefings and handovers, ensuring the seamless transfer of critical operational information, open maintenance items, and safety alerts between shifts.
  • Regulatory & Safety Oversight: Strong working knowledge of Pantex and Department of Energy (DOE) regulations. Commitment to fostering a robust safety culture and ensuring zero-incident operations during the assigned shift.

Notes

• Requires a Q clearance; however, all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
• Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 709. Medical requirements may apply.
• Pantex is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening, and background investigation.
• As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants.
• All employees are subject to random selection for drug testing without advance notification.