Overview

The Nuclear and Criticality Safety Team at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) provides an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment supporting challenging and interesting nuclear Research and Development (R&D) projects with national and international impact.

Responsibilities

• Authors and provides technical guidance in development, review, and implementation of criticality safety documentation associated with performing safe operations involving fissionable material.

• Operations generally include the receipt, handling, processing, and storage of fissionable material at PNNL. Criticality safety documentation includes evaluations, calculations, procedures, administrative, and other supporting documents.

• Provides guidance and other analytical services for the design of engineered equipment associated with fissionable material operations.

• Performs work with and supports validation of nuclear criticality safety software (SCALE and MCNP) as needed.

• Supports compliance of the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program and documentation with associated DOE and PNNL regulatory requirements and standards.

• Leads identification and coordination of response to nuclear criticality safety nonconformances. Assigns nonconformance severity level and develops possible improvement initiatives.

• Periodic reviews and operational walkdowns of existing nuclear criticality safety evaluations and applicable areas to determine their continued applicability and validity of technical content.

• As needed partners with research and operation staff to provide day-to-day support.

• Addresses facility and process safety needs principally in the area of nuclear‐related construction, operation, and decommissioning.

• Assists and/or leads criticality safety program assessments and other annual reviews.

• Provides assistance in emergency preparedness activities and response.

• Supports development and implementation of fissionable material training documentation and courses.

• Assist in training of staff members to communicate elements of criticality safety to both technical and non-technical personnel.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-

• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant experience -OR-

• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with MCNP and/or SCALE programs.

• Ability to successfully address criticality safety and regulatory issues, with a strong background in the interpretation and application of ANSI/ANS-8 requirements and DOE Standards for development and implementation of criticality safety evaluations is preferred.

• Capable of writing criticality safety evaluations and implementing procedures.

• Experience in the nuclear industry; DOE experience preferred.

• Possess technical and operational experience in operating nuclear facilities, preferably in an R&D environment.

• High level writing and verbal communication skills are required. Possess good negotiation skills and be able to effectively communicate with a variety of levels of staff and external DOE clients in providing effective and compliant solutions to programmatic criticality safety issues.

• Experience in conducting assessments, preparing complex technical procedures and reports, assessment responses, and correspondence for internal and external DOE customers.

• The ability to obtain Radiological Worker qualifications.

• Must be self-motivated and self-directed.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Work at Building 325 – Radiochemical Processing Laboratory, a hazard category 2, DOE-owned non-reactor nuclear facility.

• Potential exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation and standard industrial hazards.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship

• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.

*Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).

Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.

“Referral Eligible”

Testing Designated Position

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.

About PNNL

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!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

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 .

Drug Free Workplace

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.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

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.

Mandatory Requirements

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.

Rockstar Rewards

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.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

Minimum Salary

USD $117,100.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $185,100.00/Yr.