Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Department of Energy Headquarters•Washington, DC

About The Position

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy is seeking an executive to lead federal operations, strategic planning, and policy implementation for the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle. This Senior Executive Service role directs federal investments and research, development, demonstration, and deployment initiatives related to advanced nuclear fuels, materials recovery, waste management, safeguards, and strengthening the nuclear fuel supply chain. The position involves managing complex, high-visibility federal budgets and program priorities; advising senior and cabinet-level leadership; building coalitions and negotiating with Congress, federal agencies, national laboratories, commercial nuclear executives, and international partners; and leading a complex organization and its senior executives and technical experts. The executive must navigate ambiguous, high-stakes directives and balance technical, regulatory, and safety priorities to advance national energy objectives, U.S. competitiveness, and energy security. The role requires demonstrated executive leadership in nuclear fuel-cycle research and development and extensive knowledge of nuclear fuel-cycle facilities, domestic and international capabilities, industry partnerships, federally supported activities, and regulatory frameworks. New career SES entrants are assessed against five Executive Core Qualifications, covering rule of law and the principles of the American founding, driving efficiency, merit and competence, leading people, and achieving results. A two-page resume must demonstrate the required technical and executive qualifications. The position does not have a positive education requirement.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Must meet the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications, demonstrated in a resume of no more than two pages; resumes must use at least 10-point font.
Demonstrated mastery and executive-level leadership directing highly complex national nuclear fuel-cycle research, development, demonstration, and deployment programs.
Extensive knowledge and leadership of nuclear fuel-cycle facilities, including uranium mines, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fuel fabrication, and reprocessing facilities.
Knowledge of current domestic and international capabilities, potential industry partnerships, historic federally supported activities, and regulatory frameworks for nuclear fuel-cycle facilities.
Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources and budgets, reduce wasteful spending, and pursue process and technology improvements.
Demonstrated technical competence and ability to produce exceptional-quality work.
Demonstrated ability to lead people, drive a high-performance and accountable culture, lead through change, and hold individuals accountable.
Demonstrated ability to achieve individual and organizational results aligned with stated goals.
Subject to a one-year SES probationary period unless already completed.
Must complete a Declaration for Federal Employment when requested.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.
May be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278 within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
May be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance; failure to obtain or maintain the required clearance may result in withdrawal of an offer or removal.
SES members, OPM-certified SES Candidate Development Program graduates, or applicants with SES reinstatement eligibility need not respond to the ECQs and should provide evidence of eligibility for noncompetitive SES appointment.
May be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Responsibilities

Direct federal operations, strategic planning, and policy implementation for the nuclear fuel cycle.
Lead complex research, development, demonstration, and deployment programs in advanced nuclear fuel cycles, including advanced fuels, materials recovery, waste management, and safeguards.
Manage federal investments and help expand and secure the nuclear fuel supply chain.
Develop, defend, and execute complex federal budgets and program priorities; align financial and personnel resources with national energy objectives.
Serve as a senior spokesperson and lead negotiator with Congress, federal agencies, national laboratories, commercial nuclear executives, and international partners.
Lead, recruit, modernize, and evaluate complex organizations, senior executives, and scientific and technical experts.
Advise cabinet-level leadership and execute urgent or ambiguous strategic directives.
Balance technical, regulatory, and safety priorities to deliver mission results.
Advance U.S. competitiveness, energy security, and nuclear technology.