What You Will Do 

This position will be filled at the Contractor Assurance Specialist 3 level.  Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. 

The WMS-4 Group is seeking a Causal Analyst to support important national security missions at LANL.  The Causal Analysis Team’s primary core functions are to provide unbiased causal investigations that support critical mission operations for the Weapons Production and supporting organizations including operations, waste management, engineering, criticality safety, facility/program readiness assessments, etc. 

The Causal Analyst will report to the Causal Analysis Team First Line Manager (FLM). The selected candidate’s responsibilities include performing event/issue investigations and analyses by applying various causal analysis methodologies and tools to determine event/issue causes. Ensuring the timely completion of discrete causal analysis, applying Lean Six Sigma initiatives that stem from various management oversight processes designed to identify and mitigate mission and operational risks within a complex regulatory, technical, and operational environment.  This process includes conducting Lines of Inquiry interviews, participating in field work walk-downs, developing causal charts that depict the logical sequence to causes/conclusions, writing and finalizing causal reports, and providing management with data that will guide the development of effective and sustainable corrective actions to prevent the likelihood of recurrence.  Manage data input to ALDWP risk map, executive metric trends, causal analysis trending, all of which have visibility to ALDWP and Laboratory senior management as well as external entities. Investigations will involve review of safety envelopes and safety management systems within a nuclear facility.  

Contractor Assurance Specialist Level 3 ($104,100 - $172,200):

In addition to the expectations listed above for the Contractor Assurance Specialist 2 level, the Contractor Assurance Specialist 3 provides leadership and tactical planning for all risk and consequential level events, applying advanced technical or operational knowledge and expertise for completion of the apparent or root causal analysis. Applies advanced knowledge and experience in developing causal plan, scope, and final analysis to various aspects of work to complete the final causal analysis results.  Exerts significant latitude in negotiating with program and line managers to ensure resources are available to accomplish the causal analysis within a timely fashion.  Without considerable direction, oversees all risks and consequences pertaining to the event causal analyses from initiation to completion.  Exerts significant latitude in identifying potential risks, developing risk mitigation strategies and corrective action recommendations, and recommending risk acceptance/avoidance for all aspects of the causal analysis.  Without considerable direction, serves as the primary spokesperson to report the status and issues of the causal analysis to the requesting RLM of the issue or finding and conducts final presentation of the results. May serve in a mentorship role to entry level causal analysts to assist in their learning of the causal analysis process.

Minimum Job Requirements: 

Data Analysis and Reporting:  Demonstrated ability to apply causal methodologies such as barrier analysis, 5-whys, fault tree, etc. to identify areas of performance weaknesses and risks that warrant concrete response strategies. Demonstrated ability to develop analysis or assessment plans, conduct research, assemble investigations teams, and produce technical reports.  Ability to recommend viable responses to negative performance trends and conduct data analysis as it relates to conducting causal analysis. 

Investigation and Analysis: Demonstrated ability to conduct issue or incident investigations, including data collection and review, developing and reviewing causal plan with RLM, scheduling and conducting interviews, performing analysis, and writing technical reports. Ability to interact and communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.  

Ability to successfully multi-task while leading, planning, organizing, and monitoring of multiple causals simultaneously through to completion. Ability to track, manage, and report causal status on a regularly basis and to engage FLM and/or RLM when concerns/issues are encountered for resolution. 

Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to present to all levels of management. Ability to facilitate resolution of causal issues/concerns with RLM, program owners, SMEs, etc.

Education/Experience (Level 3): Position requires a bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience in organizational-level performance-based management, quality, and/or related technical discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.  

Additional Requirements for a Contractor Assurance Specialist 3

Data Analysis and Reporting:  Advanced knowledge and ability to apply causal methodologies such as barrier analysis, 5-whys, fault tree, etc. to identify areas of performance weakness and risk that warrant concrete response strategies. Advanced knowledge and ability to develop analysis or assessment plans, conduct research, assemble investigations teams, and produce technical reports.  Under minimal direction, has the ability to recommend viable responses to negative performance trends.  Advanced knowledge and ability to conduct data analysis as it relates to conducting causal analysis (e.g. building a pareto chart, etc.). 

Investigation and Analysis: Advanced knowledge and ability to conduct issue or incident investigations, including conducting interviews, performing analysis, and writing technical reports. Ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel, building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.  

Ability to successfully plan, organize, lead, and monitor multiple causals, with significance and impact. Ability to see causal analysis through initiation through completion meeting required deadlines. 

Desired Qualifications: 

DOE Analysis and Execution:  Knowledge of and experience with DOE performance assurance and oversight to include associated quality and reporting requirements, methods of self-evaluation, and continuous improvement strategies. 

Ability to participate in multiple causals and/or assessment involving effective execution of planning, tracking, execution, and closure cycles.  

Management systems: Demonstrated experience with issues management systems; Contract Assurance experience; causal analysis methodologies and team and/or significant investigations; Lean Six Sigma qualifications or experience. 

Clearance:  Active DOE Q Clearance 

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. 

Position commitment:  Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year. 

Note to Applicants:  For full consideration, submit a comprehensive resume reflective of your relevant experience to the job requirements and desired skills stated above. Provide a written example of a causal analysis report, chart, or document for evaluation of applicant’s communication and written skills. 

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (“green card” holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work 

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• 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)

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2.  Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States.  Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A. 

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level).  Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.  Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad. 

*Eligibility requirements:  To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information. 

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.  Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer. 

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status. 

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements. 

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. 

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.