What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accelerator / Floor Operator, Trainee position at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory?
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for an Accelerator / Floor Operator Trainee (AFOT) to join the team. In this entry‑level, hands-on role, you’ll train to support safe, reliable ALS operations as part of the floor and accelerator operations team. Under supervision, you will perform facility startups/shutdowns, monitor and adjust systems, coordinate floor access and beamline enable/disable, assist with radiation and vacuum monitoring, and keep clear, time‑stamped log entries for smooth shift handoffs. Working hours will regularly include weekends, evenings, and some overnight shifts. Success looks like disciplined adherence to procedures, strong communication with scientists and crafts, and steady progression through training milestones.
The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility whose excellent scientific reputation, expert staff, and capabilities in the soft x-ray, hard X-ray, and infrared regimes attract over 1,500 academic and industrial users each year in disciplines spanning physical, chemical, materials, biological, energy, and Earth sciences. It is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve a combined 11,000 users annually. The co-location of these user facilities – including the Molecular Foundry Nanoscale Science Research Center and the NERSC scientific computing center, as well as Berkeley Lab's outstanding programs in materials and chemical sciences, among others – offers a prime environment for collaborative science. The ALS has been a global leader in soft X-ray science for more than two decades and is currently undergoing a large-scale upgrade (ALS-U) that will endow the facility with state-of-the-art X-ray capabilities. It's an exciting time to join our growing team!
What You Will Do:
Accelerator Operator Duties
- Safety and Compliance: Follow DOE and Laboratory standards to ensure safe accelerator operations.
- Facility Operations: Conduct facility start-ups and shutdowns, monitor accelerator performance, and make adjustments to optimize performance. Conduct routine area walkthroughs to monitor equipment, look for problems, observe proper work practices.
- Documentation: Log critical data in Accelerator, Controlled Access, Key Cabinet, Radiation Survey, and Beamline Logbooks, documenting all significant facility events.
- Issue Response: Assist in responding to equipment issues by observing and documenting failures, participating in basic troubleshooting, and learning to support processes that prevent repeat issues under the guidance of experienced staff. Participate in post-event reviews and contribute to lessons-learned analysis.
- System Adjustments: Adapt systems as needed to meet specific experimental requirements while ensuring safety and functionality.
- Collaboration: Maintain strong communication with coworkers, scientific support staff, and supervisors, actively contributing to a safe and productive environment.
- Learning and Knowledge Growth: Continuously build expertise in ALS accelerator, beamline, and control systems.
Floor Operator Duties
- Floor Safety Oversight: Ensure safe operations on the experimental floor at all times, assisting Beamline Scientists and Users in safeguarding personnel, equipment, and storage ring protection.
- Beamline Management: Manage beamlines by key-enabling and taking them offline as required, closely following all procedural requirements, especially those involving radiation shielding adjustments.
- Documentation: Make thorough log entries of all work conducted on beamlines and end stations, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
- Radiation Monitoring: Support radiation monitoring activities during routine operations, commissioning, and troubleshooting by collecting and reporting data under supervision to ensure safety standards are upheld.
- Vacuum System Monitoring: Assist in monitoring ALS beamline vacuum system components, observing for potential risks and reporting issues for further evaluation.
- Hazard Recognition: Contribute to identifying changes in experimental equipment that may introduce new risks by assisting with equipment reviews and participating in training on safety protocols.
- Equipment and Safety Systems: Assist in using Equipment Protection and Radiation Safety Systems, facilitating efficient and safe use of beam time.
- Technical Support Coordination: Arrange support from ALS and LBNL crafts and trades, including electronic and mechanical repairs, surveys, and facility maintenance.
- Training Coordination: Organize training for experimenters on the safe use of ALS user labs, experimental areas, and staging areas during off hours.
Shared Responsibilities for Both Roles
- Emergency Response: Provide basic support during emergency situations by assisting in mobilizing response efforts and following established safety protocols.
Training & Schedule:
- Year 1: Primarily day shift (7:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m.) with alternating‑week swing shift (3:45 p.m.–12:15 a.m.) rotations.
- After ~12–18 months, upon qualification: May move to dedicated owl shift (11:45 p.m.–8:15 a.m.) or a mixed rotation based on program needs.
What is Required:
- Educational Foundation: Coursework or experience in engineering, scientific principles, or mathematics that provides a solid understanding of the technical concepts required for accelerator and beamline operations.
- Operational Skills: Ability to monitor and document the performance of accelerator beamline systems and to understand and troubleshoot complex operating, mechanical, control, and safety systems involved in facility operations.
- Technical Problem Solving: Skill in identifying and resolving routine hardware and beam quality issues, with foundational knowledge of physics theory that underlies accelerator and beamline functions.
- Shift Readiness and flexibility to work rotating or fixed shifts as program needs require.
- Team Collaboration: Proven experience working in diverse, multidisciplinary teams, with strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with colleagues from varied technical and academic backgrounds.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear, concise documentation of operations and effective teamwork across multiple departments.
- Mechanical Proficiency: Mechanical skills sufficient to perform essential tasks related to the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of beamline equipment.
- Leadership and Team Support: Ability to proactively support team goals and foster a positive work environment by contributing to a cohesive and productive team atmosphere.
Desired Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Windows/Linux and Google productivity tools.
- Experience with hand and basic machine tools.
- Additional coursework in physics, computer science, or engineering.
- Exposure to control systems, PLCs, EPICS as a learner.
Notes:
- This is a full-time career appointment, non-exempt (hourly paid), eligible for overtime pay.
- This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
- The hiring salary/hourly range for this position is $22.91-$33.22. Salary for this position is based on a step schedule and the final candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience.
- This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment. Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information
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Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.
Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
Salary : $23 - $33
