Nuclear Facilities Operations Supervisor

We are looking for a Nuclear Facilities Operations Supervisor to provide technical and management direction for waste management operations taking place in the Nuclear and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Permitted Facilities. This includes responsibilities for ongoing activities as well as overseeing the development of new capabilities to address LLNL’s ongoing waste management needs. You will lead a team of eight technicians responsible for all day-to-day operations in radioactive and hazardous waste management (RHWM) nuclear facilities including solid waste processing, shipment preparation and storage operations. You will ensure that work being done in the facilities complies with Department of Energy Requirements for Nuclear and radiological facilities. In addition, you will be responsible for interpreting Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations and Department of Energy (DOE) Orders pertaining to the management of radioactive and hazardous waste. This position is in the RHWM Program within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate. 

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either the TSL.3 or TSL.4 level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

In this role, you will 

• Provide direct supervision for a team of up to eight Material Storage Technicians supporting waste management operations in the Radioactive and Hazardous Waste Management (RHWM) Program, nuclear, radiological and RCRA permitted facilities.
• Analyze and interpret complex analytical data for the purpose of ensuring waste is acceptable for treatment, packaging, storage and/or disposal. This may include researching and developing an on-site solid waste treatment and packaging process.
• Implement and manage the Nuclear Facility technical safety requirements and ensure controls and assumptions in safety basis documents are protected and maintained.
• Implement and manage RCRA Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF) requirements and always ensure a strong compliance posture.
• Provide technical leadership and direction in support of the development and maintenance of the RCRA Permit and associated waste management activities.
• Decipher multiple and often competing regulatory requirements to provide solutions to unusual, complex, and/or sensitive waste management issues where solution path is typically not known ahead of time.
• Act as a scientific/technical advisor and provide direction for waste management strategies.
• Provide leadership to the team; build, develop, and nurture internal team dynamics while developing and maintaining relationships with other Programs supported by RHWM.
• Direct tasks and projects of the team to support contributions and monitor performance required to meet programmatic milestones and deliverables.
• Promote and support plans to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the program. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSL.4 level

• Provide solutions to highly complex issues regarding waste characterization, packaging, handling, on-site transfer, and acceptance operations.  
• Resolve materials control and accountability (MC&A) related concerns and occurrences in collaboration with the Nuclear Materials Accountability and Control group.
• Provide high-level expertise to RHWM Program related to RCRA, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Permit requirements; radioactive and hazardous waste packaging, handling, storage, and transport; and nuclear facility operations.
• Serve as Project Manager for complex, high-visibility projects in support of the Program mission.  This includes developing strategic plans for the modernization of waste management facilities and practices.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Environmental Science, Health Physics, or related scientific discipline with broad experience in waste management, or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge.
• Advanced knowledge and technical expertise in one or more areas: chemistry, radiological characterization including surface contamination object/low specific activity determinations and calculations, RCRA regulations, DSA development or DOT regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of Nuclear Facility requirements as they relate to transuranic (TRU) waste management and/or significant experience in TSDF operations.
• Previous supervisory experience including hiring actions, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly regulated environment with proven experience in understanding and deciphering complex and competing federal and state regulations.
• Significant technical experience and ability to effectively champion, lead, and develop innovative waste management processes, and concepts.
• Possess a strong safety mindset and ability to maintain a strong safety culture for all individuals participating in waste management activities.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to lead a team, present/explain technical knowledge, provide advice to management, and respond to inquiries by regulators.

Additional qualifications at the TSL.4 level

• Expert knowledge of the requirements related to worker safety and health, nuclear and high-hazard facility safety, hazardous and radioactive waste, RCRA regulations, and DOE regulations.
• Expert knowledge of state-of-the-art waste management technologies.
• Demonstrated complex problem resolution and negotiating skills necessary to independently advise, recommend, and approve appropriate actions and implement solutions.
• Demonstrated project management experience in leading multidisciplinary projects in nuclear and/or permitted facilities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering, Environmental Science, Health Physics, or a related scientific discipline with broad experience in waste management or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge.
• Experience in nuclear facility operations.
• Experience with the management of a nuclear facility authorization basis.
• Experience and/or working knowledge of RHWM specific policies, procedures, and work control process.
• Working knowledge of LLNL policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability/commitment to valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the workplace.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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