Scientist I

Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Our MISSION is to help ensure the security of the United States and its allies by providing high-hazard experimentation and incident response capabilities through operations, engineering, education, field, and integration services and by acting as environmental stewards to the Site’s Cold War legacy.  Our VISION is to be the user site of choice for large-scale, high-hazard, national security experimentation, with premier facilities and capabilities below ground, on the ground, and in the air. (See NNSS.gov for our unique capabilities.) Our 2,750+ professional, craft, and support employees are called upon to innovate, collaborate, and deliver on some of the more difficult nuclear security challenges facing the world today.   

• MSTS offers our full-time employees highly competitive salaries and benefits packages including medical, dental, and vision; both a pension and a 401k; paid time off and 96 hours of paid holidays; relocation (if located more than 75 miles from work location); tuition assistance and reimbursement; and more.  
• MSTS is a limited liability company consisting of Honeywell International Inc. (Honeywell), Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Jacobs), and HII Nuclear Inc.

Due to the nature of our work, US Citizenship is required for all positions.

• Bachelor’s degree in a calculus-based (STEM) field. Skill building experience must demonstrate either deeper technical specialization or additional cross-disciplinary knowledge. Graduate research experience may be recognized.
• The candidate must be proficient in desert plant identification; ability to key out plants strongly desired, and previous desert tortoise experience is preferred.
• Must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic and able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Must be in good physical condition and able to hike long distances in hot, dry desert environments while carrying at least 20 pounds of gear.
• Experience using Microsoft Word, Access and Excel is preferred.  A working knowledge of Geographical Information Systems is preferred.  
• The work location is designated at the NNSS (located 65 miles north of Las Vegas).
• The schedule is designated as 4/10s (Mon-Thu). Off hour work as well as overtime may be required. 
• Pre-placement physical examination, which includes a drug screen, is required. MSTS maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.     

MSTS is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants offered employment with MSTS are also subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. In addition, Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship, at least 18 years of age. Reference DOE Order 472.2, “Personnel Security”. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Department of Energy Q Clearance (position will be cleared to this level). Reviews and tests for the absence of any illegal drug as defined in 10 CFR Part 707.4, “Workplace Substance Abuse Programs at DOE Sites,” will be conducted.  Applicant selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation, required to participate in subsequent reinvestigations, and must meet the eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. Successful completion of a counterintelligence evaluation, which may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination, may also be required. Reference 10 CFR Part 709, “Counterintelligence Evaluation Program.”

MSTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. MSTS is a background screening, drug-free workplace.

Annual salary range for this position is: $66,248.00 - $99,382.40.

Starting salary is determined based on the position market value, the individual candidate education and experience and internal equity. 

The Ecological and Environmental Monitoring (E&EM) Department seeks a qualified candidate for a position within the E&EM Department to support ecological monitoring activities at and in the vicinity of the Nevada National Security Site, with some support to the North Las Vegas Facility, and satellite facilities as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Duties and responsibilities will include conducting field surveys for sensitive and protected/regulated plant and animal species (including desert tortoises).
• Performing vegetation sampling (e.g., cover, density) on long-term monitoring plots.
• Conducting field studies of a variety of wildlife species including mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, feral horses and burros, bats, small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
• Conducting vegetation surveys to assess fuel loads for wildland fires and spread of invasive species.
• Responding to nuisance and dead/injured wildlife calls.
• Monitoring natural and man-made water sources for wildlife use and negative impacts.
• Designing and implementing habitat restoration projects and monitoring for success. 
• The candidate will also be conducting literature searches, designing and implementing studies and monitoring projects, inputting and analyzing data, writing technical reports summarizing results, contributing to proposals, may author or contribute to publications (refereed journals, books, manuals & reports) and presentations. Responsibilities will also include participating in customer and program meetings, mentoring less experienced staff in related technical areas, developing operating procedures and preparing work plans, coordinating work activities with other organizations, conducting literature searches, and contributing to proposals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.