Scientist 2/3

Newport News Nuclear BWXT Los Alamos LLC•Los Alamos, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Scientist 2/3 (Environmental) supports environmental characterization, investigation, and remediation work for N3B’s RCRA Remediation Program in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The position primarily assists with field activities, including site surveys and preparation, sampling, and documentation for Material Disposal Area and Aggregate Area soil investigation and remediation projects. The role works with technicians, project managers, engineers, field leads, and technical subject-matter experts to plan and safely execute field work. Responsibilities also include supporting or leading the development and revision of sampling work plans and field implementation documents; scheduling work; collecting environmental samples; maintaining sample chain of custody and quality controls; submitting samples to the Sample Management Office; preparing daily and campaign summary reports; organizing field records; interpreting results in relation to contamination; and contributing to internal and regulatory reports. The Scientist applies scientific, engineering, and mathematical knowledge to field investigations, operates and troubleshoots typical field equipment, and works collaboratively with project teams while following applicable safety, security, quality, procedural, and regulatory requirements. Work is normally performed in the field, in all weather conditions, and may extend beyond a normal 40-hour work week.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and no restrictions.
Experience in the environmental, radiation, and/or geotechnical industries.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects.
Ability to perform field and technical tasks and analyze problems to develop innovative solutions.
Ability to recommend approaches for new and improved processes.
Ability to work with broad objectives and latitude to determine how best to accomplish tasks.
Communication, mathematical, reasoning, and computer skills necessary to perform the essential functions.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented project environment.
Level 2: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, engineering technology, or an equivalent field related to the work, and 3 years of experience.
Level 3: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, engineering technology, or an equivalent field related to the work, and 5–8 years of experience.
A combination of education and experience may be considered equivalent.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Pre-employment drug screening in compliance with federal regulations and a Fit-for-Duty physical evaluation, if applicable.
May be required to attain and maintain a DOE L/Q clearance.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the LANL site and work environment.
PIC (Person-in-Charge) experience.
For either level, previous experience in sample collection, radiological contamination and site safety, waste management, and regulatory requirements associated with construction, environmental, or facility operations projects is desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as a junior field team member for environmental project sampling.
Serve as a technical team member, working with the Project Manager, Field Team Lead, and RCRA technical subject-matter experts.
Support environmental remediation field investigations.
Collect soil, water, and vapor samples in accordance with standard operating procedures and meet applicable safety, quality, and investigation requirements.
Document and report investigation activities, including completing field paperwork and sample collection logs and maintaining sample chain of custody.
Write field summary reports for sampling campaigns and prepare daily summary reports.
Report and interpret sample results in the context of the nature and extent of contamination.
Contribute to regulatory reports and peer review internal and regulatory reports.
Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, health and safety plans, sampling work plans, and other field implementation documents.
Plan and support execution of field activities, including plan-of-the-day and plan-of-the-week scheduling.
Compile, organize, scan, and file field records and documentation.
Apply general scientific, engineering, and mathematical knowledge to field investigations and use standard methods and procedures for routine tasks.
Operate typical field equipment and troubleshoot sample collection equipment as applicable.
Ensure authorized environmental media and waste samples are collected and maintain quality control throughout sample collection.
Review field work for completeness and accuracy and properly document completed work.
Coordinate with and take direction from project leads as required; support site-access requests, data entry, and report preparation as needed.
Comply with and support implementation of health and safety policies and practices, and stop work when conditions are unsafe or compromise security.
Use typical office computer software and systems and communicate and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative team.
Perform other duties in support of the Environmental Remediation Program as assigned.