What are the responsibilities and job description for the Readiness Assurance Leader position at Pantex Plant?
Location: Amarillo, TX (Pantex Plant)
Job Title: Readiness Assurance Leader
Career Level: Senior Specialist
Organization: Readiness Assurance (50993954)
Job Specialty: Readiness Assurance
What You'll Do
The Readiness Assurance (RA) department reports to the Quality Assurance Division. The department's overarching role is to execute readiness activities and express independent judgment affirming that a nuclear or non-nuclear hazardous facility, activity, or operation has achieved a satisfactory state of implementation and/or operational readiness (ability to operate safety and in compliance within the approved safety envelope) protecting our workers, the public and the environment. RA performs four core functions: Contractor Readiness Assessments (CRA), Implementation Verification Reviews (IVR) of new or changed Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), periodic TSR verifications, and Readiness Leader functions.
The Readiness Leader is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all activities necessary to ensure a nuclear or hazardous facility is prepared to enter a Contractor Readiness Assessment (CRA), in accordance with Department of Energy (DOE) Order 425.1D and Nuclear Produciton Office (NPO)- Supplemental Directive (SD)-3.4.3. This role ensures the facility, personnel, procedures, and management systems are fully ready for startup or restart, and that all contractual and regulatory safety requirements are implemented prior to the commencement of the CRA.
The Technical Safety Requirement (TSR) Verifier is responsible for ensuring the ongoing validity, adequacy, and operational alignment of TSRs. This role involves the independent and meticulous review of TSRs and their implementing procedures to confirm they continue to meet safety basis requirements, maintain effective control over hazards, and accurately reflect the current facility configuration and operational practices. The verifier will utilize principles and practices consistent with 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 830 & DOE guidance to uphold the highest standards of nuclear and facility safety.
This role may perform all four RA functions and other duties as assigned, and reports to Readiness Assurance management.
Key Responsibilities
Readiness Leader:
You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Pantex you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.
Pantex is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.
Job Title: Readiness Assurance Leader
Career Level: Senior Specialist
Organization: Readiness Assurance (50993954)
Job Specialty: Readiness Assurance
What You'll Do
The Readiness Assurance (RA) department reports to the Quality Assurance Division. The department's overarching role is to execute readiness activities and express independent judgment affirming that a nuclear or non-nuclear hazardous facility, activity, or operation has achieved a satisfactory state of implementation and/or operational readiness (ability to operate safety and in compliance within the approved safety envelope) protecting our workers, the public and the environment. RA performs four core functions: Contractor Readiness Assessments (CRA), Implementation Verification Reviews (IVR) of new or changed Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), periodic TSR verifications, and Readiness Leader functions.
The Readiness Leader is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all activities necessary to ensure a nuclear or hazardous facility is prepared to enter a Contractor Readiness Assessment (CRA), in accordance with Department of Energy (DOE) Order 425.1D and Nuclear Produciton Office (NPO)- Supplemental Directive (SD)-3.4.3. This role ensures the facility, personnel, procedures, and management systems are fully ready for startup or restart, and that all contractual and regulatory safety requirements are implemented prior to the commencement of the CRA.
The Technical Safety Requirement (TSR) Verifier is responsible for ensuring the ongoing validity, adequacy, and operational alignment of TSRs. This role involves the independent and meticulous review of TSRs and their implementing procedures to confirm they continue to meet safety basis requirements, maintain effective control over hazards, and accurately reflect the current facility configuration and operational practices. The verifier will utilize principles and practices consistent with 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 830 & DOE guidance to uphold the highest standards of nuclear and facility safety.
This role may perform all four RA functions and other duties as assigned, and reports to Readiness Assurance management.
Key Responsibilities
Readiness Leader:
- Readiness Planning & Execution: Develop and execute comprehensive readiness plans, ensuring all prerequisites for startup/restart operations (per DOE O 425.1D and NPO-SD-3.4.3) are identified and completed – including validating procedures, training, safety basis implementation, and emergency preparedness.
- Verification & Reporting: Lead internal Process Performance Demonstrations (PPDs) prior to CRAs. Document activities and report progress via software and briefings.
- Leadership & Coordination: Serve as the Readiness Preparation Subject Matter Expert (SME) for program/project managers. Lead Readiness Certification working teams, resolving issues and supporting compliance. Communicate with DOE line management, oversight, and all management levels including site manager.
- Evidence & Metrics Management: Maintain an evidence library (qualification records, test results, etc.). Develop metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to track progress.
- Issue Management: Identify deficiencies and gaps, support corrective action development, and verify timely closure – ensuring compliance with DOE- Standard (STD)-3006-2010 closure criteria.
- TSR Verification & Assessment: Assess TSRs against 10 CFR 830 into facility configuration, operational procedures, maintenance, and other activities.
- Procedure & Control Evaluation: Evaluate implementing procedures (e.g., operating procedures) to ensure they flowdown TSR requirements – e.g., perform document reviews, field performance evaluations, personnel interviews, walkdowns.
- Documentation & Reporting: Prepare and present detailed technical reports/briefings of verification activities, findings, and justifications.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with functional stakeholders (e.g., safety analysts, maintenance) personnel to gather information, discuss findings, and facilitate consensus.
- Comply with Pantex business practices (e.g., records management, Tools for Opportunities- Performance Improvement through Communication(TOPIC)).
- Drive continuous improvement in readiness processes.
- Manage data, metrics, training, department policies, and support applicable software (e.g., Startup Notification Report (SNR), Readiness Certification Assurance Process tracking System (RCAPTS), Product Data Management Link (PDMLink)).
- Assist with RA workload and scheduling.
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
- Bachelor's degree: Minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
- OR Master's degree: Minimum 6 years of relevant experience.
- OR PhD: Minimum 3 years relevant experience.
- OR Applicants without a bachelor's degree may be considered based on a combination of at least 15 years of completed education and/or relevant experience.
- In addition to the above requirements, the applicant must also meet the requirements of DOE O 426.2A (i.e., Baccalaureate in engineering or related science, 2 years job-related and at least 1 year nuclear experience, or a DOE O 426.2A alternative). DOE O 426.2A experience requirements can be satisfied following employment. In the interim, newly hired personnel will not be assigned duties that could impact the safety basis of nuclear facilities. (Ref. DOE O 426.2A)
- Bachelor’s degree - preferably in engineering or a physical science discipline.
- Minimum 20 years managerial, leadership, control application, demonstrated control knowledge and understanding, and demonstrated network relationships preferred. Minimum of 12 years of Pantex and/or applicable DOE experience preferred.
- Current or previous qualification as a Readiness Assessment Team Leader (RATL) under DOE or equivalent federal/contractor program preferred.
- Extensive experience in DOE nuclear and hazardous facility operations, startup/restart readiness, readiness reviews, and operational & nuclear safety requirements; with integration of operations, safety and regulatory compliance; and experience in readiness tracking, evidence management, and corrective action systems.
- Technical mastery of readiness requirements (DOE O 425.1D, DOE-STD-3006-2010, NPO-SD-3.4.3), 10 CFR 830, nuclear and hazardous facility operations, independent verification activities, technical and regulatory knowledge, nuclear safety management, safety basis and hazard control implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams through complex readiness activities and independent assessments in high-hazard operational environments and to deliver defensible, high-quality results under DOE standards while balancing mission execution and safety imperatives.
- Demonstrated strategic planning, systems thinking, leadership, and facilitation skills.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Proven analytical, problem solving, conflict & issue resolution and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication skills including written and oral, business and technical – with the ability to engage and influence all levels within Pantex.
- Demonstrated independent & objective judgment with strong accountability and ownership mindset.
- Excellent interpersonal and teaming skills and committed to collaborative engagement with stakeholders and internal teams.
- Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop less experienced staff in high-consequence and complex operational and regulatory environments.
- Demonstrated commitment to instilling sustainable organizational capability and strong safety & quality culture.
You get #morethanajob. We encourage employees to achieve a healthy personal balance among home, work and the community. One of the ways we embrace work-life balance is by offering flexible work arrangements that provide alternatives to the traditional workweek, while still meeting business needs. Top talent and personal commitment mean more to our success than any other factors, so we reward our people with the kinds of benefits that make a positive difference in the quality of their lives. Benefits such as: medical plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, dental plan, employer matched 401(k) savings plan, disability coverage, education reimbursement and many more. Want to stay healthy and fit but hate the cost of a gym membership? Take advantage of one of our onsite workout facilities and eat healthy in our onsite cafeterias. Much more than a workplace, at Pantex you can build a career that lasts a lifetime.
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
Position may require entry into Materials Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (HRP). If HRP is required, candidate must complete a counterintelligence-scope polygraph, pursuant to 10CFR 709. Medical requirements may apply.
Pantex is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
Pantex is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability or veteran status.