Radiochemical Laboratory Technician- Research Tec 3/4

This position is open for external candidates only and serves one of the Laboratory's core national security missions: Weapons Science. The successful applicant will perform analytical radiochemistry analysis for the characterization of nuclear materials in the Plutonium Facility (PF-4). Work involves hands-on processing and analysis of various sample matrices, with assignments directly related to national security objectives requiring protection of sensitive and classified information.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will perform the following duties at the specified level:

Research Technician 3

• Conduct technical work in the plutonium facility, as directed or discussed with supervisor.
• Work with nuclear material in gloveboxes and hoods, handle and move material.
• Perform maintenance activities in laboratory rooms in PF-4.
• Perform waste management support in the facility.
• Be detail-oriented in record keeping, including proper written documentation of all experimental or process observations.
• Follow written procedures and suggest process improvements where applicable.
• Perform duties with limited direct supervision.
• Provide high-quality analytical chemistry results for a wide range of samples.
• Follow approved written procedures and guidelines.
• Communicate effectively with personnel from varying fields and with different levels of technical training.
• Work in a team environment.
• Work on QA/QC methods and protocols.
• Perform work in accordance with all applicable safety and security practices in a nuclear facility.
• Protect and maintain sensitive or classified information.

Research Technician 4

In addition to the duties outlined for Research Technician 3, the Research Technician 4 will:

• Perform routine tasks with limited supervision and demonstrate ability to perform non-routine tasks under supervision.
• Work with line, program, and facilities personnel as appropriate for the conduct of technical work.
• Independently coordinate tasks through the IWM process (Define, Plan, Prepare, Execute, Follow-up).
• Support operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting/repair of a variety of instrumentation.
• Review data collection, record keeping, and report generation.
• Maintain, improve, and streamline work execution in collaboration with others on the team.
• Identify and recommend solutions to problems affecting project requirements.
• Communicate results through internal reports.
• Serve as the point of contact with internal customers.
• Provide process-specific training to other team members.

Requirements

• Willingness and ability to work in a chemistry laboratory setting with corrosive and hazardous chemicals.
• Willingness and ability to perform hands-on work with nuclear material.
• Experience following procedures, including reading documented procedures and reducing them to laboratory practice.
• Demonstrated ability to complete supervisor-directed assignments with limited direct supervision.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Basic computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office products.
• Experience demonstrating good communication skills.
• Ability to be enrolled in the Human Reliability Program (HRP) as a nuclear material handler.
• Knowledge of and experience with chemical analysis techniques and sample preparation.
• Experience in a lab environment.
• Demonstrated work experience in a team environment while exhibiting collaborative behavior.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance, which usually requires U.S. citizenship.

Additional Requirements for Research Technician 4

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with initiative and complete assignments with minimum direction.
• Demonstrated robust organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience operating, maintaining, and/or troubleshooting a variety of instrumentation.
• Experience reviewing data collection, record keeping, and report generation.
• Demonstrated experience working independently.

Qualifications

Research Technician 3

An associate's degree in a relevant field and three years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Research Technician 4

An associate's degree in a relevant field and five years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills

• Experience working in a nuclear facility.
• Q-cleared, HRP certified.
• Experience with analytical chemistry techniques (including but not limited to wet chemical sample preparation, radiochemistry including gamma and alpha spectroscopy, gas proportional counting, UV-Vis, separations, etc.).
• Fissile Material Handler experience.
• Experience working in a highly regulated work environment.
• Experience using various personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirator work.
• Use of laboratory information management system (LIMS/LANMAS) software for sample tracking.
• Demonstrated experience or specialized training for working with radioactive or nuclear materials.
• Experience working in a glovebox or open front hood.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in radiological contamination monitoring and control.
• Demonstrated ability to follow formal standard operating procedures under conduct of operations.
• Experience in procurement, assembly, and troubleshooting instrumentation.

Essential Job Functions

• Ability to hear in a normal range (500 to 3000 hz).
• Standing, bending, climbing stairs.
• Use of both hands, arms, legs, feet.
• Lifting 20-30 pounds.

Work Environment

• Work near sources of ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, and toxic chemicals.
• Use of safety glasses or eye protection, face shield or face protection, mask or respirator, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective footgear, Level B HAZMAT suit/anti-C clothing.

Pay

Research Technician 3: $66,100 - $103,600

Research Technician 4: $72,800 - $115,400

Schedule

This position may require extended hours which could involve working a shift schedule. Employees may be eligible for shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Benefits

• 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 and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius).