Division Director for Production

Department of Energy Headquarters • Washington, DC

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is part of the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Department of Energy, Office of Subsurface Energy, Office of Oil and Gas-Production. As a Division Director for Production, you will serve as the principal leader responsible for advancing the Department's objectives in oil and natural gas exploration and production, water management, offshore efficiency, safety, spill prevention, and carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery. The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office works to unleash the full potential of America's hydrocarbon and geothermal resources to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy. We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of entering the position and annually.
• First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work.
• Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
• Occasional Travel may be required.
• New supervisors/managers are required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• New supervisors are required to complete 80 hours of supervisory training of which 40 hours must be completed during your first year as a supervisor.
• Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
• OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
• Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
• Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
• Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
• GS-15 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-14 in the Federal service.
• Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 of 4 of the following:
• Leading or directing large-scale engineering or physical science programs/projects focused on oil, natural gas, enhanced recovery, or subsurface energy technologies.
• Planning, evaluating, or executing technical initiatives designed to address environmental impacts (such as produced water treatment, pollutant reduction, or emissions management) and operational safety hazards (such as spill prevention, process safety, or regulatory safety compliance) in energy production or industrial operations.
• Formulating, defending, and administering substantial operational or program budgets, including determining resource allocations and justifying financial requirements to senior management or executive leadership.
• Supervising, leading, or directing multidisciplinary technical, engineering, or scientific professionals, which includes establishing work assignments, evaluating staff performance, mentoring personnel, and managing team operations or contractor activities.
• You must provide copies of your college transcripts.
• Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible".
• Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

• Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
• Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
• CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
• You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• While a formal performance appraisal is highly recommended and requested to expedite your evaluation, if your agency-issued RIF separation notice or other official separation documentation explicitly states that your performance was at least "Fully Successful" (or equivalent) and notes your rating of record, it may be accepted in lieu of a formal performance appraisal.
• Failure to provide any documentation proving a rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent will result in the loss of your priority consideration.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the Division of Production's programs, setting strategic priorities and technical direction to advance domestic oil and natural gas production, carbon dioxide enhanced recovery, water management, and offshore safety.
• Guide and coordinate complex research and development initiatives, analytical studies, and projects executed in collaboration with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and external partners.
• Perform full first-line supervisory authorities for senior technical and program staff, including assigning work, evaluating performance, approving leave/travel, resolving grievances, and identifying professional development needs.
• Serve as the primary liaison and technical authority on Production initiatives, representing the office across interagency working groups, industry forums, academia, and congressional or inter-governmental engagements.
• Advise executive leadership (including the Deputy Assistant Secretary and Office Director) on emerging market trends, regulatory issues, and environmental considerations to inform national energy policy decisions.
• Formulate, justify, and defend division budget allocations while administering workplace safety, health, and compliance standards conforming to OSHA and agency safety programs.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits.

What This Job Offers

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