Developmental Facility Representative

Developmental Facility Representative – Graduate Fellow

Duties/Description

This fellowship is located within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO), which oversees the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The Facility Representative Supports DOE’s mission to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient operation of WIPP by monitoring site activities, verifying contractor performance, and ensuring compliance with federal safety and operational standards. The position provides hands-on experience in facility operations oversight, maintenance planning, work control, and environmental, safety, and health (ES&H) compliance within a unique nuclear waste repository environment.

Under the supervision of qualified senior CBFO staff, the Developmental Facility Representative will:

• Operational Oversight: Monitor day-to-day operations and facility performance to ensure alignment with DOE requirements, contractor procedures, and mission objectives.
• Safety and Compliance: Verify that all site activities comply with applicable DOE Orders, OSHA standards, and federal environmental regulations, with emphasis on work control, radiological protection, and critical safety systems.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Observe and assess maintenance and construction work to ensure it is performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved procedures and engineering controls.
• Work Control: Review work packages and provide feedback to ensure activities are properly authorized, hazards are identified, and controls are effectively implemented.
• Communication: Maintain regular communication with contractor personnel and CBFO management, providing status updates, reports, and recommendations on facility performance and safety observations.
• Surveillance and Inspections: Conduct scheduled walkthroughs and independent surveillance activities focusing on safety culture, configuration management, and compliance with DOE directives.
• Coordination: Assist in the oversight of special projects and facility upgrades, ensuring integration of operational safety principles and federal oversight expectations.
• This position provides developmental exposure to DOE line management functions, contractor assurance systems, and technical oversight of nuclear and non-nuclear operations at WIPP.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates should demonstrate:

• Current enrollment or recent completion of a graduate or technical program in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• Understanding of maintenance management, work control processes, and safety and health regulations.
• Strong observational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with attention to technical and procedural details.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey findings and recommendations clearly to management and technical personnel.
• Demonstrated interest in federal service, operations oversight, and environmental safety mission support.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment and adapt to fast-paced, compliance-driven operational settings.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize technical findings clearly.
• Interest in federal service, information assurance, and national security mission support.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team and adapt to fast-paced, compliance-driven environments.
• Preferred: Brief familiarity with federal facility operations, safety management systems, and DOE nuclear safety principles (DOE O 422.1, DOE O 433.1B, DOE O 450.2).