Overview

At 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 an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. 

 

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.  

 

The Coastal Sciences Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, is headquartered at PNNL-Sequim, on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. Our unique facility is the Department of Energy’s only marine research laboratory, and the capabilities of its researchers deliver science and technology critical to the nation’s energy, environmental, and security future.  

  

We focus on research related to marine and coastal resources, environmental chemistry, water resources modeling, marine engineering, environmental modeling and monitoring, and national security—the division is an emerging leader in three areas:  

• Enabling sustainable development of ocean energy 

• Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities, including climate change, on marine resources 

• Protecting coastal environments from security threats.

Responsibilities

The Coastal Sciences Division (CSD) is based across different PNNL sites including Richland, Seattle, and Sequim, Washington and Portland, Oregon. This position is located on PNNL’s Sequim Campus.

 

The PNNL-Sequim Campus is located on Washington's Olympic Peninsula and hosts the Marine Coastal Research Laboratory (MCRL), the Department of Energy's only dedicated marine laboratory. This unique facility and the capabilities of the Coastal Sciences researchers deliver science and technology that are critical to the nation's energy, environmental, and security future. The location of the campus facilitates a bench to bay to workflow to enable research supporting ocean-based applications such as renewable energy development, coastal resilience and planning, and research and technology development relevant to our sponsors. To learn more about the research conducted at the PNNL Sequim Campus, visit this link (https://www.pnnl.gov/pnnl-sequim).

 

Coastal Sciences Division encompasses a range of disciplines, including coastal ecosystems, environmental biogeochemistry, coastal resources modeling, technology development and biotechnology, biofuels development, marine energy development. These underpin three key research themes:

• Enabling sustainable development of ocean
• Understanding and mitigating long-term impacts of human activities on marine
• Protecting coastal environments from security

 

This position supports safe, efficient, and mission-focused marine research operations focused on vessel maintenance, equipment readiness, and operational planning. Reporting to the Marine Operations Team Leader, this position plays a critical role in maintaining marine vessels and trailers supporting scientific field activities, ensuring regulatory compliance, and contributing to the safe execution of marine operations. The selected candidate will work closely with marine operations staff, researchers, and other personnel to support vessel-based research programs and maintain operational excellence across the marine fleet. 

 

Job duties and expectations include, but are not limited to:

• Supports field campaigns through vessel preparation, mobilization, deployment, and operational assistance
• Able to organize complex information, check work carefully, and maintain accuracy while managing multiple details
• Coordinate logistics associated with marine projects, including transportation, scheduling, vessel support, and supply management
• Perform and document preventative maintenance on vessels, trailers, marine engines, propulsion systems, and associated equipment
• Conduct vessel inspections, safety checks, operational readiness reviews, and emergency drills
• Diagnose and troubleshoot marine mechanical and electrical systems
• Support compliance and marine safety requirements, environmental regulations, and laboratory policies
• Assist in developing scopes of work and coordinating activities with vendors and contractors
• Serve as vessel crew during research operations and support vessel operations consistent with training, qualifications, and organizational requirements
• Assist with deployment, recovery, staging, and transportation of scientific equipment and marine research systems

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED and 8 years of relevant marine experience -OR-
• Technical Institute Graduate/relevant AA degree and 6 years of relevant marine experience -OR-
• BS/BA or higher in science or engineering and 4 years of relevant marine experience
• Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting marine engines and propulsion systems
• Experience trailering, towing, launching, and recovering vessels
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting research vessels or marine science programs
• Experience with marine electrical systems
• Experience with MS Office 365
• USCG QMED credential (current or former)
• Rigging, lifting, or crane operation training
• Boater Education Card (or ability to obtain)
• CPR/First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain)

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Work in offices, shops, waterfront, vessel, and field environments. 
• Frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions. 
• Occasional overnight travel and multi-day field deployments. 
• May require early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours. 
• Operate or travel aboard marine vessels in varying conditions. 
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly. 
• Board vessels from docks and launch ramps. 
• Work in confined or awkward spaces. 
• Safely launch, recover, trailer, and tow vessels. 
• Wear required PPE and work around active marine operations. 

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific 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 Opportunity

Our 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 Workplace

PNNL 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 Requirements

As 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 Requirements

Please 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 Rewards

Employees 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 Applicants

PNNL 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 Salary

USD $39.52/Hr.
Maximum Salary

USD $59.38/Hr.