Forensic Science Center Director - Active Security Clearance Required

LLNL•Livermore, CA

2d•$282,210 - $359,700

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring a Director of the Forensic Science Center (FSC) in its Physical and Life Sciences (PLS) Directorate. The Director provides overall management, strategic direction, and accountable execution of an externally funded project portfolio, primarily supporting the Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (STAR) Directorate. The role directs the maintenance, enhancement, and integration of the Center’s forensic capabilities for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) missions, and leads sponsor engagement and program development to sustain and grow the portfolio. The Director reports directly to the PLS Principal Associate Director. The Director establishes Center priorities; manages staff and resources; delegates assignments; and is accountable for strategic, operational, programmatic, and financial objectives. The position involves frequent engagement and negotiation with Laboratory staff and senior managers, the scientific community, sponsors, universities, industry, and government agencies at senior leadership levels. The role is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates. The position requires an active DOE Q-level clearance or an active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. A Federal background investigation and pre-employment drug test are required for selected external applicants; a job-related pre-placement medical examination may also be required. Depending on duties, work in Limited Areas may restrict possession or use of personal and laboratory wireless devices.

Requirements

Active DOE Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
Ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access; Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Nuclear Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and FSC-relevant experience.
Appropriate general forensic science experience and recognized technical expertise in one or more areas of WMD forensic and attribution science, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive science.
Extensive experience and demonstrated programmatic development of operational forensic science applications supporting law enforcement and/or the Intelligence Community.
Extensive experience with relevant external sponsors and understanding of the FSC sponsor base and interactions, with readiness to navigate those collaborations immediately upon selection.
Extensive leadership and team-building skills in multidisciplinary science and technology, including managing staff, establishing organizational priorities, and directing work through subordinate leaders or technical staff.
Demonstrated experience managing organizational or programmatic resources, including budgets, schedules, infrastructure, and workforce planning.
Advanced technical management experience and demonstrated success at the interface between use-inspired basic research and applied research.
Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills to engage effectively with senior management, customers and sponsors, and the scientific community on management-level technical and highly complex issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on nationally important issues involving National Laboratories, forensic laboratories, Federal Agencies, and industry at program and policy levels.
Experience with deployment and field support activities.
Experience supporting federal law enforcement and/or Intelligence Community operations.

Responsibilities

Lead the formulation and execution of FSC science and technology strategies and long-range plans aligned with Laboratory and PLS strategic objectives.
Manage FSC staff and organizational resources, establish work plans, delegate assignments, set performance expectations, and ensure execution of Center priorities.
Develop and manage forensic science and related programs in coordination with relevant LLNL programs and division leaders.
Develop and maintain technical contributions to sensitive program areas in support of operational needs.
Provide guidance and strategic direction for programmatic strategies supporting FSC and STAR missions.
Oversee programmatic and operational project execution, ensuring FSC commitments are delivered safely, on time, and on budget.
Establish and manage Center-level budgets, schedules, performance standards, and risk-management approaches, and ensure effective use of personnel, scientific infrastructure, and other resources.
Work with LLNL staff and leadership to formulate, develop, and socialize ideas that secure funding from existing and new sponsors, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, Department of Justice, and Intelligence Community members.
Develop and coordinate strategies to recruit, train, develop, and retain scientists across FSC CBRNE mission areas and future expertise needs.
Identify, develop, and implement plans to strengthen FSC operational efficiency and effectively manage the cost of scientific infrastructure.
Develop and implement a strategy for FSC participation in high-visibility opportunities in academia, government, and the private sector, including major national and international conferences and relevant extramural organizations such as AAFS.
Represent FSC and PLS in discussions with senior Laboratory leadership, sponsors, external partners, and government stakeholders on matters significant to the Center and its mission.
Perform other duties as assigned.