Director Office of Financial Assistance

Department of Energy Headquarters•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Director, Office of Financial Assistance, is a senior executive leadership role within the Department of Energy’s Office of Management. The Director oversees DOE’s multi-billion-dollar portfolio of grants, cooperative agreements, other transactions, and research awards that support energy, science, and technology projects nationwide. As the primary authority for financial assistance and the DOE Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) for financial assistance instruments, the Director leads teams responsible for planning, awarding, and managing investments in accordance with federal requirements and departmental directives. The Director develops financial assistance strategies and policies, makes major business determinations, and provides authoritative interpretations of regulations and guidance. The role includes resolving significant disputes, appeals, and claims; improving oversight through data tools and risk-management practices; and cultivating partnerships with federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, tribal nations, state governments, and industry. The Director manages organizational and operational resources to support DOE’s national security and clean energy missions, ensuring funding is managed efficiently, fairly, transparently, and in the public interest.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Must meet the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications and demonstrate them in a resume not exceeding two pages.
TQ1: Senior-level experience applying federal financial assistance laws, regulations, policies, and administrative requirements, including 2 C.F.R. Parts 200 and 910, to lead complex, high-dollar financial assistance instruments and programs.
TQ2: Executive leadership experience providing strategic direction and oversight of complex financial assistance programs across departmental, interagency, and external organizations, including implementing policies and systems, leading subordinate organizations, and improving effectiveness and efficiency.
ECQ1: Knowledge of the American system of government and commitment to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and service to the American people.
ECQ2: Ability to manage resources strategically and efficiently, budget effectively, reduce wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technology improvements.
ECQ3: Knowledge, ability, and technical competence to produce work of exceptional quality.
ECQ4: Ability to lead and inspire people, foster a high-performance and high-accountability culture, lead through change, and hold individuals accountable.
ECQ5: Ability to achieve individual and organizational results and align them 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 an OGE-278 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
May be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance.
If currently or within the last five years a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or non-career SES employee in the executive branch, must disclose this to Human Resources; OPM must authorize applicable offers.

Responsibilities

Direct organizational activities and develop strategic plans for the Office of Financial Assistance, providing technical and administrative supervision over subordinate units led by senior executives and managers.
Serve as DOE Head of Contracting Activity for financial assistance instruments, exercising delegated senior procurement authority to execute, modify, and oversee awards.
Formulate financial assistance strategies, approve plans, and make business determinations concerning major instrument extensions, competitive selections, and program policy factors.
Interpret federal regulations and DOE guidance and resolve financial assistance disputes, recipient appeals, and formal claims.
Develop and implement department-wide policies, standard operating procedures, internal control standards, and management tools to ensure compliance and improve taxpayer value.
Lead continuous improvement, including developing award mechanisms, deploying data analytics for award monitoring, and establishing risk-management frameworks.
Build partnerships across federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, tribal nations, and industry.
Manage and recruit financial and personnel resources to achieve mission goals.