Senior Facilities Operations Associate

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biosciences Area Office (BSAO) has an opening for a Senior Facilities Operations Associate to join the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU), a state-of-the-art, world-class bioprocess optimization and scale-up facility for conversion of sustainable feedstocks and biomass to biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and biomaterials.

In this exciting role, you will provide technical support to ensure equipment and utilities are serviced and maintained to minimize the downtime at the Emery Station East (ESE) and Potter Street ABPDU locations. Strong knowledge of biotechnology/pharmaceutical utilities and facilities will be essential to drive projects to bring in new equipment or modify existing equipment for the bioprocess pilot facilities. You will serve as a point of contact for any external vendors, building owners, facilities, engineering, and transportation personnel. 

This position will be located in Emeryville, CA and has an anticipated start date of June 2, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between ABPDU staff and external vendors, building owners, facilities, engineering, and others.
• Liaise with other Ops team members, Biosciences Area partners, Lab Divisions, and external parties regarding projects, events, and initiatives with direct impact on operations and welfare. 
• Partner with a range of stakeholders including researchers, engineering partners, facilities professionals, and external partners to align support with scientific objectives.
• Implement best practices, policies, and standard operating procedures for use at all ABPDU locations. 
• Apply technical knowledge to maintain and optimize ABPDU utility systems, including chillers, vacuum pumps, clean steam generator, roof-top boilers, waste treatment unit, and other facility equipment at all ABPDU locations.
• Possess or obtain technical training for the routine operation and in-house maintenance of facility equipment, and maintain compliance with applicable Lab and local regulatory standards (e.g., HAZWOPER certification for Waste Treatment Unit operations).
• Troubleshoot and resolve a wide range of complex technical issues including engaging with external vendors for repairs, modifications, or maintenance.
• Coordinate new equipment site prep and construction with internal partners for larger projects including reviewing estimates for project design, equipment, installation, materials, preparation and other related costs.
• In coordination with the ABPDU response team, respond promptly to emergency alarms and after-hours events as needed.
• Collaborate with Lab partners and internal property management to implement controls, automation, and monitoring tools to proactively reduce the occurrence of after-hours emergencies.
• Allocate resources to meet urgent needs effectively across all ABPDU locations including providing support for ABPDU receiving & stockroom with operations partners.
• Facilitate operator and subcontractor adherence to safety protocols, including LBNL, facility, and local requirements, such as subcontractor job hazard analysis (sJHA), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and hazard control limits for chemical inventory.
• Partner on initiatives to improve laboratory organization and safety (e.g., ESE Clean Up Days, regular safety/operations briefings) while actively engaging staff to cultivate a strong safety culture at ABPDU.
• Ensure the responsible management of hazardous chemicals and gases inventory at ABPDU - from acquisition to disposal. Manage the disposal of spent materials from various campaigns.

What is Required:

• A minimum of 4 years of experience working in a research laboratory or pilot plant facility.
• Experience with lab management and equipment, facility maintenance, and safety compliance.
• Basic knowledge of chemical and biochemical unit operations for biofuel/biochemical/protein production and their recovery and characterization methods.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively conduct scrum to understand team needs in terms of equipment and utilities readiness for projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills including experience interfacing with external vendors, building owners, and facilities personnel. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience organizing and presenting technical data, reports, and projects to audiences with varying degrees of technical expertise. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related area. 
• Project or Facilities Management Certification, Hazwoper certification, and related training. 
• A solid foundation of fundamental concepts in data structures and coding with the ability to apply technical skills in web application, servers, databases, and other back-end technologies.
• Experience maintaining facility equipment, including chillers, clean steam generators, boilers, waste treatment units, etc.

Notes:

• Application Deadline: For full consideration, please apply with a resume and cover letter describing your interest by May 13, 2025.
• Appointment Type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary Information: This position is expected to pay $99,000 - $123,768 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $99,000 - $167,100 annually for job code N40.2. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• Background Check: 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 Modality: This position will be performed onsite at the Emeryville Station East Operations Center (ESE) — Bldg. 978, located at 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA 94608.

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.