Chief Operating Officer

Idaho National Laboratory

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) provides operational leadership and direction to support the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) for ATR in achieving overall directorate objectives. The focus of this position is on enabling and supporting the directorate’s staff to ensure operations and programmatic performance. In coordination with the ALD, lead, direct, and manage the directorate through the development and implementation of a strategic approach to operations, fostering excellent customer/peer communications and relationships, and establishing synergistic partnerships within the INL. Our team works on-site with a 4x10 schedule located at our Advanced Test Reactor.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering with at least 12 years of relevant experience OR Advanced degree in Science or Engineering with 10 years of relevant experience.
Relevant experience includes direct technical experience in nuclear reactor engineering and operations with demonstrated increase in leadership and management responsibilities over past 8 years.
Previous or current operational experience at the ATR complex with SRO certification is preferred or equivalent level of knowledge at a similar nuclear reactor facility in terms of size and complexity with the ability and expectation to obtain ATR SRO level of knowledge within one year of hire.
Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and programs to completion.
Ability to communicate complex concepts orally; prepare written reports that are clear, concise, and meaningful.
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy "Q" clearance, which requires US Citizenship.
Demonstrated competency to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including effective presentations to a variety of audiences. Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff and senior management
The ability to work with employees, mid- and senior-level management on complex issues and form a consensus where there is a wide range of opinions and methodologies; and develop proper compromises when needed, and firm position when appropriate

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree is preferred.
Extensive management experience leading a technology-oriented operational testing and analysis organization.
Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence.
Senior-level experience in contractor-government relationship management and understand the uniqueness of the DOE national laboratories management and operating (M&O) business model. Lead through the development of plans and objectives for the enterprise as a whole.
The ability to think strategically, anticipates future consequences and trends.
Ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a highly effective workforce and the processes that ensure the organization runs effectively.
The ability to overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when necessary.

Responsibilities

Lead, direct, and perform research, development, and demonstration projects and programs (e.g. , major maintenance activities to extend the operational lifetime of the ATR, experiment development and improvement, and other major ATR strategic nuclear facilities and capabilities) and ensure the delivery of quality products that meet customer expectations on schedule and within budget; ensure compliance with safety, security, environmental, health, and quality assurance requirements.
Lead a world-class, high-performing and productive team through the development of existing staff, recruiting, and hiring (nationally and internationally) recognized experts.
Develop and implement staffing plans, staff development strategies, and develop/championing/support INL infrastructure plans.
Serve as the ATR lead in operational excellence, establishing and achieving effective policies, strategies, objectives, standards, and tactics.
Enhance the team’s leadership, management, and technical skills and capabilities and learn the strengths, weaknesses, and working styles of the team to put people in a position to succeed.
Convey genuine belief in the organization’s ability to succeed despite the toughest obstacles.
Delegate significant responsibilities to management and provide appropriate level of direction and support.
Achieve results through others, motivating team effort and cooperation.
Translate goals into specific transparent organizational objectives for each member of the management team and hold managers accountable for results.
Keep the organization focused on key results that drive mission success.
Establish and manage a program in conjunction with key engineering resources that will define a long-term equipment management roadmap to permit the ATR to safely operate to at least 2050 with a 2085 target.
Lead programmatic and process improvement initiative at ATR that supports the overall 3-year INL improvement program and builds upon community of practice with nuclear facilities at all Battelle managed national laboratories.