Branch Chief

Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Rockville, MD

7d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Division of Licensing Project I. The Branch Chief manages and supervises staff carrying out a range of regulatory activities, promotes the use of appropriate Agency processes—including evolving risk-informed initiatives—and leads efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory work and decisions. The role allocates Branch resources according to workload and priorities, with priorities based on the relative importance of activities to safety, security, and environmental considerations.

The Branch Chief is responsible for the Branch’s day-to-day administration, including staff training, leadership, team building, motivation, development, and evaluation. The position sets expectations and provides counseling and performance assessments through formal processes, such as performance standards, mid-year reviews, and annual appraisals, as well as informal means such as staff meetings and ongoing one-on-one interactions. The position is subject to confidential financial disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting requirements, and is a drug-testing position. It may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in Federal service or equivalent private- or public-sector experience.
• Experience supervising or providing direction, guidance, or leadership to a technical or project organization, group, or team on policy or technical issues affecting regulated nuclear facilities.
• Experience participating in management of work processes and/or utilization of resources related to licensing and performance/data metrics.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Meet the applicable basic education and professional knowledge requirements for Federal engineering and science positions. This requires a relevant bachelor's or higher degree from an ABET-accredited engineering school, or documentation showing qualification under the applicable OPM standards for the 0801 or 1301 occupational series.
• Submit college or university transcripts documenting the school name, student name, degree, and date awarded if applicable. Foreign education must be accompanied by evidence of U.S. equivalency; documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
• Meet the position’s qualifications by no later than 30 calendar days after the announcement closing date and before placement.
• Provide accurate information in the resume and application.
• Meet and maintain security and suitability requirements.
• Submit a resume that addresses the specialized experience and desired ideal-candidate qualifications.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to direct, lead, and manage a diverse technical staff in mission-critical programs with competing deadlines, conflicting resource demands, and changing environments.
• Ability to communicate information, ideas, and advice clearly, concisely, and logically, orally and in writing, to colleagues, subordinates, NRC management, ACRS, the Commission, members of the public, professional groups, government agencies, and international regulatory counterparts.
• Ability to build and sustain coalitions across organizations.
• Knowledge of applicable NRC rules, regulations, policies, practices, and procedures for reactor oversight process implementation and nuclear reactor systems regulatory reviews, including familiarity with codes and standards, regulatory guides, and practices.
• Knowledge and ability to apply effective decision-making using available information and risk insights.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of the NRC reactor oversight process, including risk significance determination for inspection and performance areas at operating, construction, and decommissioning commercial nuclear power plants.

Responsibilities

• Manage, supervise, and coordinate Branch staff carrying out diverse activities.
• Promote staff use of appropriate Agency processes, including evolving risk-informed initiatives.
• Lead efforts to innovate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory activities and decisions.
• Allocate Branch resources according to workload and priorities.
• Establish priorities based on the relative importance of activities to safety, security, and environmental considerations.
• Manage the Branch’s day-to-day administrative operations, including staff training, leadership, team building, motivation, development, and evaluation.
• Communicate expectations and provide formal and informal counseling and performance assessments to Branch staff.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and life insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care
• Dental and vision insurance
• Retirement savings and investment plan similar to a 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan)
• Annual vacation leave and paid sick leave
• Family-friendly leave policies
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Transit benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager