Deputy Director Nuclear Technology Division

National Nuclear Security Administration • Washington, DC

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About The Position

The Deputy Director of the Nuclear Technology Division supports the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP), part of the National Nuclear Security Administration, whose mission is to develop advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology and provide technical support for the safe, reliable operation of existing naval reactors. The position directly represents the Director, Naval Reactors, to senior U.S. and foreign officials on AUKUS Pillar 1 efforts to transfer nuclear propulsion technology to Australia. This includes transferring technical and regulatory knowledge, negotiating bilateral arrangements for radiation protection and radiological emergency preparedness, assisting Australia with stakeholder outreach, and overseeing development of an Australian workforce supporting maintenance of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines in Australia.

The role directs and coordinates work under Naval Reactors’ cognizance in radiological controls, radioactive waste disposal, emergency planning, radiation shielding, environment, health and safety, reactor and steam plant chemistry, and reactor plant decommissioning and disposal. It improves nuclear work execution to expedite major maintenance availabilities, reduce crew burden, and increase operational availability of nuclear-powered warships and critical training platforms. The Deputy Director manages day-to-day Nuclear Technology Division operations and develops long-range technical plans to meet Division and NNPP goals. Resolving complex matters requires technical expertise, leadership, tact, forcefulness, and diplomacy.

This is a career Senior Executive Service position. Applicants must demonstrate the required Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications in a resume limited to two pages. The position requires qualifying education for the 0840 Nuclear Engineering series and submission of unofficial transcripts. The selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance and may be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Other conditions include identity verification, possible SES probation, public financial disclosure, E-Verify, and organizational or geographic mobility under NNSA policy.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced nuclear engineering principles, including chemistry, mechanical design, reactor materials, emergency preparedness, radiological controls, and radiation shielding, as applied to NNPP procedures and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to apply nuclear engineering principles while directing activities on nuclear-powered ships and at NNPP public and private shipyards, laboratories, and training facilities.
• Knowledge and experience performing regulatory field inspections of naval nuclear-powered ships and their support activities, including NNPP public and private shipyards, laboratories, and training facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate compliance status with NNPP principles, guidelines, and requirements to senior officials inside and outside NNPP.
• Demonstrated Executive Core Qualifications: commitment to the rule of law and principles of the American founding; driving efficiency; merit and competence; leading people; and achieving results.
• Meet the basic education requirements for the 0840 Nuclear Engineering series through a qualifying engineering degree or an accepted education-and-experience combination.
• Submit unofficial college transcripts demonstrating the required education; official transcripts will be required before entry on duty.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.
• Comply with applicable identity verification, drug-testing, public financial disclosure, E-Verify, and NNSA mobility requirements.
• For candidates who are not already eligible for noncompetitive SES appointment, executive qualifications must be assessed and approved by OPM before hire.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Director, Naval Reactors, to high-level domestic and foreign officials on AUKUS Pillar 1 initiatives to transfer nuclear propulsion technology to Australia.
• Lead transfer of U.S. naval nuclear propulsion technical and regulatory knowledge and experience under the Nuclear Technology Division.
• Negotiate and establish bilateral agreements and controls for radiation protection and radiological emergency preparedness for U.S. nuclear-powered warships serving as rotational forces or visiting Australia.
• Assist Australia with outreach to federal, regional, state, local indigenous community, and nongovernmental organization stakeholders on radiation protection, emergency preparedness, and related programs to protect the environment and public.
• Provide oversight and leadership in developing and integrating an Australian workforce that performs nuclear propulsion plant maintenance on U.S. nuclear-powered submarines in Australia.
• Direct and coordinate work on radiological controls, radioactive waste disposal, emergency planning, radiation shielding, environment, health and safety, reactor plant chemistry, steam plant chemistry, and reactor plant decommissioning and disposal.
• Improve execution of nuclear work to expedite major maintenance availabilities, reduce crew burden, and increase operational availability of nuclear-powered warships and critical training platforms.
• Manage and oversee day-to-day operations supporting Nuclear Technology Division duties and responsibilities.
• Develop long-range technical plans to meet Division and NNPP goals.
• Resolve problems using technical knowledge, leadership, tact, forcefulness, and diplomacy to influence effective decisions.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available to the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized under agency policy if funding is available.

What This Job Offers

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