OverviewAt PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have anEnvironmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) leads critical research in four areas: Atmospheric, Climate & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Molecular Sciences, and Global Change. Our vision is to develop a predictive understanding of biological and Earth systems in transition. We aim to understand energy and material flows within the integrated Earth system; to understand, predict, and control the response of biosystems to environmental and/or genomic changes; and to Model the Earth system from the subsurface to the atmosphere.
The Environmental Molecular Sciences Division is comprised of 18 interdisciplinary research teams focused on deciphering molecular-level interactions driving biological and environmental processes across temporal and spatial scales. Through computational analysis and modeling, these findings contribute to predictive understanding of how systems respond to environmental perturbations thus enabling solutions to the nation’s energy, environmental, and human health challenges. The division also manages the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus that accelerates the research of scientists around the world by providing access to world-class expertise, instrumentation, and computational resources.
This is an on-site position.
The Instrument Development and Automation Laboratory (IDAL) team at the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory (EMSL) is seeking an enthusiastic and versatile Instrumentation Technician. The candidate will be someone who enjoys doing hands-on troubleshooting and repair of instrumentation. This involves managing laboratory activities including tracking/ordering labware, maintaining/troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation and discarding chemical waste. The candidate will collaborate in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment with engineers, scientists and researchers specializing in numerous fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, and computational and materials sciences. In addition, while detailed and specific instructions are typically given, some autonomy will be needed, including responsibility for verifying final products, and demonstrating consistency, timeliness, and quality of work. This person will become familiar with, and contribute to, team processes and assigned support activities, and will independently interact with peers and teams to accurately estimate time to complete individual tasks or procedures.
The Position Holder will:
- Be responsible for installing, calibrating, maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing analytical instruments, sensors and control devices used in research and development.
- Maintain records of repairs, maintenance, and calibration data.
- Be enthusiastic about electronics hardware.
- Know how to use a variety of hand and power tools.
- The candidate will be able to work independently with limited supervision.
- The candidate should be able to demonstrate time management by prioritizing and working on multiple tasks and projects, while being able to demonstrate consistency, timeliness, and quality in their work.
- The candidate will also be able to contribute to team processes and assign support activities, such as organizing, stocking, and managing the laboratory space. While workload can vary throughout the year based on project needs, instrument development laboratory needs and scientist and researcher requests, there will be ample opportunities to work on unique scientific instruments. It is expected that candidate will be able to complete assignments independently, seek help when questions arise, and have work and results reviewed upon completion.
The selected candidate must pass a screening to ensure it is safe for them to work around strong magnetic fields, like those found in some clinical MRI instrumentation. Certain implanted or embedded metallic objects can pose serious health risks when exposed to magnetic fields. These include, but are not limited to:
- Pacemakers
- Medical implants (e.g., cochlear implants, stents, prosthetics)
- Metal fragments from injuries (e.g., shrapnel, BBs, bullets, metal shavings)
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma/GED and 2 years of relevant experience -OR-
- Technical Institute Graduate (TIG)/relevant AA degree or higher and 1 year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Technical Institute Graduate/relevant associate’s degree (ASEE/ASET)
- Enjoys electronics as a hobby; has experimented/built/programed at home/school/or work
- Knowledge of 3D design and printing
- Enjoys troubleshooting/repair of household appliances
- Enjoys problem solving, puzzles, and mazes
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment- The position includes work with soldering tools, which can include lead-based solder
- The position includes work with low and high voltage equipment
- The position includes work with exposure to mechanical noise and magnetic fields
- Climbing ladders
Additional InformationThis is an on-site, non-exempt position.
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
About PNNLPacific 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, and flexible work schedules. 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 and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, 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 WorkplacePNNL 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.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsAs a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
Mandatory RequirementsPlease 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 RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $27.07/Hr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $38.56/Hr.
