Meet LLNL: Work Planner Jordan Ott

Growing up in Pleasanton, California, Jordan Ott was marked by a strong sense of community involvement. He was particularly active in the local sports leagues, playing Little League baseball and football, while also contributing as a member of the grounds crew that was responsible for maintaining the many fields at Ken Mercer Sports Park in Pleasanton. This early involvement and strong work ethic carried through with him into his first part-time job at 14. Through these experiences, Ott learned the value that one can go far when working with others to pursue a shared, meaningful goal.

“I held my first professional job my freshman year in high school,” he said. “Being exposed to a customer service and operations role at such a young age, alongside my teamwork in sports, equipped me in my later role as a work planner.”

Ott, who joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 2022, is a maintenance work planner (MWP) within the Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) organization. As an MWP, safety is a top priority in his daily tasks when navigating job hazards. He leads multidisciplinary teams through the work planning process, ensuring adherence to safety and ES&H standards. Ott is part of two teams at the Lab: he is a member of LLNL’s MWP team and a supporting member of the National Ignition Facility deployed team as their primary MWP.

“What I enjoy most about my role as a work planner is collaborating with different disciplines, crafts and leadership to ensure that everyone returns home in the same condition they arrived at work,” he said. “It is important that LLNL employees go home to their loved ones, and it is my teams’ duty to plan for that.”

Before joining the Lab, Ott worked in the solid waste and recycling industry. He’s served in many capacities: as technician/fabricator, promoted to project foreman, then to a project manager, and ultimately leaving the industry as a plant operations manager. When work led him to Livermore, he learned about the Laboratory.

“At the time, I worked for a company that processed food scrap material from commercial and residential sources,” he said. “I eventually wanted to explore something outside of that. When I learned about the Lab, I knew I wanted to work here because of its mission, history, people and work environments.”

For Ott, he’s able to combine his community involvement with extracurricular activities at LLNL. He is the sergeant-at-arms and road captain for the nonprofit Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (BACA) Silicon Valley Chapter. His involvement with BACA allowed him to work alongside local and state officials to empower and protect children who have been abused. As a biker, he’s even been able to participate in recent Lab Ride events hosted by the Lab’s Veterans in Energy Technology & Science Employee Resource Group and represent his BACA patches when riding alongside the veteran community.

Family is extremely important for Ott. In his time here at LLNL, he appreciates the benefits and work-life balance the Laboratory provides him so he can be successful in his role at work and as a husband to his wife and two children. He takes advantage of the childcare services provided by the LLESA Children’s Center and the Lab’s Education Tuition Assistance Program. He is studying environmental science at Southern New Hampshire University and is expected to receive his bachelor's degree in June 2024.

Ott feels empowered while at LLNL. He is most excited to complete his bachelor’s degree and is considering a master’s degree as his next academic achievement. He also looks forward to the warm weather to continue motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, working at his family’s ranch and, most importantly, hanging out with his wife, children and dog.

At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) our staff are our greatest asset. LLNL continues to act on its commitment to foster strong values and a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability. We encourage all to explore our available careers and apply.