Continuous Improvement Practitioner

Requisition ID:  275948

• Relocation Authorized:  National - Family
• Telework Type: Part-Time Telework 
• Work Location: Richland, WA 
• Salary Range: $77,980 - $118,920 annually (Determined by function, education, experience, and qualifications of the applicant)

Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact.

We serve the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. 

Core to Bechtel are our values – ethics, safety, quality, people, culture, relationships, innovation and sustainability, and our covenants – integrity, respect, collaboration, trust, and delivery. They are what we believe, what customers can expect, and how we deliver.

Project Overview:
Bechtel is a global engineering, construction and project management company that has “built the world” for more than 120 years, having constructed Hoover Dam, the English Channel Tunnel, entire cities in the Middle East, the second-largest solar thermal power project in the world, and millions of miles of roads and pipelines. We produce a lasting, positive legacy by creating jobs, growing economies, connecting communities to resources, shoring up and expanding infrastructure, and making the world a cleaner, greener, safer place.

Join us as we make history at the Hanford Vit Plant, known as the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. We are designing and building a one-of-a-kind facility that will turn radioactive and chemical waste left over from World War II and Cold War plutonium production into a form safe for disposal. Your efforts will help protect the nearby Columbia River and the communities, salmon, and wildlife along its shorelines throughout the Northwest.

Sitting at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers near two mountain ranges, our community provides access to year-round outdoor recreation, 300 days of sun a year, more than 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius, and the amenities of large cities just a three-hour drive (or short flight) to Seattle and Portland.

Positions located at the Construction Site (22 miles north of Richland) work a 4 x 10 schedule, M-Th, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other work locations may work a 9-80’s schedule, M-F 7:00 am to 4:30 pm with alternating Fridays off. 

Please be advised that the 9/80 schedule designation of the position may be changed in the future at the discretion of the company or project.

Part-time Telework:

This position is a full-time role located in the Richland, Washington project office, and works a 9/80 schedule, offering every other Friday off. The in-office expectation is 2 days per week but deviations to this standard schedule will be required based on business needs. Frequent visits to the WTP jobsite will also be required.

Position Summary:
The Continuous Improvement Practitioner will report to the Continuous Improvement Manager and will support the maintenance, development, and implementation of the Bechtel Continuous Improvement Program at WTP.

The Practitioner consults with the Continuous Improvement Team and project leadership to identify key areas of needed improvement using a Theory of Constraints approach. The Practitioner works with all relevant levels of the organization to manage and implement continuous improvement activities. Applying their skills, knowledge and experience, the successful candidate will assist management with transforming reliable data into knowledge, optimizing processes, and empowering teams to solve problems and make fact-based decisions.

As a key contributor to the success of the project, the candidate will utilize continuous improvement tools (e.g. Theory of Constraints, Lean, Six Sigma, kaizen, behavioral and facilitation techniques) and work across all project functions and levels of the organization. 

Responsibilities:

• Consult with project leaders on areas of needed improvement.
• Manage improvement projects/activities.
• Analyze data from processes and metrics and recommend actions to close process gaps.
• Facilitate improvement by leading teams to consensus and action.
• Manage initiatives to successful implementation.
• Ensure a Theory of Constraints-based approach to the prioritization of Continuous Improvement activities.
• Communicate and share improvements for mutual benefit.
• Apply Continuous Improvement tools/methodologies to aid in problem solving.

Qualifications and Skills:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the area of engineering, or science related field and at least 3 years of experience. In lieu of a degree, 9 years of relevant experience.
• Must be able to complete and pass a pre-employment drug screen, physical (if located at the construction site), and background check which includes verification of employment and education.
• Must be able to obtain a Department of Energy badge for access to the Hanford Site. (Even if teleworking, must still be able to comply with security requirements to obtain a badge)
• Must possess the right to work and remain in the United States without sponsorship.

Additional Qualifications:

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft software, database administration and Visio (or equivalent).
• Possess the ability to perform more complex improvement initiatives, exercise more strategic decision making, interact with a higher-level of management and customers and have a greater impact on project performance.
• A proven history of excellence in all aspects of work assignments.
• Awareness of Six Sigma related tools and methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including effective listening skills and the ability to transmit information accurately and understandably in a timely manner.
• Experience in interfacing with multiple organizations.
• Be a team player with a proven track record for motivating teams for successful change.
• Possess strong leadership skills and the ability to demonstrate polite persistence in achieving desired objective.
• Facilitation skills necessary to elicit ideas and promote discussion.
• Planning and organizational skills necessary to prioritize workload within a multiple project setting.
• Six Sigma Yellow, Green Belt (candidate or certified).
• Trained in Kaizen and / or Lean methodologies.
• Experience with Lessons Learned or Operational Experience Programs.

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At Bechtel, our employees enjoy a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, along with optional disability and supplemental insurance options, generous paid time off (160 hours annually, accrued 6.16 hours per pay period), nine paid holidays, paid parental leave, discretionary bonuses, and a well-designed 401K plan with matching and profit-sharing components. 

Shaping tomorrow together

Bechtel is one of the most respected global engineering, construction, and project management companies. Together with our customers, we deliver landmark projects that foster long-term progress and economic growth. Since 1898, we’ve completed more than 25,000 extraordinary projects across 160 countries on all seven continents. We operate through five global businesses: Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Energy; Mining & Metals; and Manufacturing & Technology. Our company and our culture are built on more than a century of leadership and a relentless adherence to our values, the core of which are safety, quality, ethics, and integrity. These values are what we believe, what we expect, what we deliver, and what we live.  
www.bechtel.com

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Bechtel employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or show proof of a negative test result prior to accessing Bechtel sites/facilities to the extent required by applicable law or by customer requirements.