VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Director, Office of Integrated Waste Management

Position: Director (Supervisory Interdisciplinary: General Engineer/Physical Scientist)
Series & Grade: GS-801/1301-15
Number of Vacancies: One (1) 
Department:  Office of Integrated Waste Management (NE-82)
Location: Washington, DC (Telework Eligible)
Clearance: Q Clearance Required
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) is seeking highly qualified candidates to serve as the director of the Office of Integrated Waste Management (IWM). The director oversees activities leading to the development of an integrated waste management system that includes transportation, storage, and disposal for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW).

How to Apply
Interested applicants need to apply to the Interdisciplinary General Engineer/ Physical Scientist direct hire link to be considered for this position and select the supervisory level Supervisor. Applications are due no later than Friday, February 17, 2023.

*NE is utilizing the DOE Direct Hire announcement and closing dates may differ from NE’s opportunity to apply. Applicant lists will be pulled immediately following the NE closing date shown above. 

Duties

• The IWM Director oversees two teams and their Team Leads – the Consent-based Siting Team, which is designing and implementing a consent-based approach to siting one or more federal CISFs, and the Cross-Cutting Initiatives Team, which is developing and implementing the technical aspects of a CISF and associated SNF/HLW transportation system. In this role, the Director oversees the work of other engineers, scientists, communications staff, national laboratory personnel, and contractors performing or conducting engineering, scientific, or communications work in support of NE project implementation activities. Provides advice to management and staff on technical and policy issues and resolves problems in assigned technical areas; maintains an up-to-date understanding and knowledge in relevant areas of expertise; and applies advanced concepts, practices, and principles to engineering and scientific projects and studies any new initiatives.
• Directs and manages the planning and implementation of an integrated waste management system (IWMS) capable of transporting, storing, and disposing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from civilian nuclear power generation, defense, national security and other activities. Uses national laboratory, universities, and industry assets to develop an IWMS needed to store, transport, and dispose of SNF and HLW accumulated in the United States.
• Ensures program integration among IWM federal and lab team-members, with other Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition Program areas (e.g. R&D), and within DOE-NE, and DOE, as appropriate.
• Communicates with the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board about program activities; with the public, Tribes (and Tribal groups), States (and associated regional groups), industry, universities, and international partners on issues and plans regarding nuclear waste management.
• Initiates planning for project management functions to support a future integrated waste management system.
• Coordinates the bilateral and multilateral international cooperation activities associated with the storage, transportation, and disposal of SNF/HLW.
• Directs and supervises highly diverse staff of engineers/scientists to include development of performance plans, performance reviews, and individual development plans.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of one or more technical areas such as environmental impact assessments, freight transport operations, geospatial analysis, environmental justice analysis, nuclear facility design and/or operations, general knowledge of applicable regulations related to radioactive material transport and SNF storage.
• Mastery knowledge and skill in program management activities to effectively determine and establish program goals, review progress and results, and lead or participate as a subject matter expert in a variety of program assessments, and recommend additions, terminations or modifications of programs. Program management skills are also used to oversee development and incorporation of new or improved technologies to enable or facilitate accomplishment of program goals, and apply business practices, e.g., fiscal, contracting, and administrative processes, to achieve timely, cost-effective completion of program goals and objectives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project management principles, methods and practices to effectively manage or lead engineering projects of significant size, scope and complexity.
• Knowledge and skill in evaluating the technical merits, maturity and risk associated with various technology alternatives proposed to address complex engineering or scientific problems and recommend an approach to mitigate those risks while cost-effectively accomplishing the DOE mission.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DOE and Federal rules and regulations governing procurement, funding and contracts to effectively manage contractor activities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the DOE and organizational budget policies and practices.
• Knowledge and skill in effective oral and written communication to convey information, explain issues, and persuade management, individuals, member of the public, or groups to accept a position or recommendations and accomplish objectives with which they might initially disagree or be reluctant to accept.
• At least one-year supervisory experience preferred to include development of performance plans, performance reviews, and individual development plans.