Research Operations Manager

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Energy & Environment Directorate (EED) is hiring an Operations Manager with experience in a research and development environment. The primary role of the EED Operations Office is to enable effective, efficient and safe research in support of the EED mission. This is achieved by partnering with the M&O organizations in integrating operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions into research activities. Major challenges of this position include being able to bridge successfully between EED mission execution and the operational expectations and requirements of doing business at PNNL, responding 24/7 to events and issues, staying abreast of organizational and Lab level changes to requirements and assuring communications are effectively carried out related to the changes. This is an ever-changing work environment, where the expectation is to be able to think strategically and anticipate upcoming impacts and risks, while responding to day to day needs of the directorate. The successful candidate will work effectively with the research organization to help enable effective mentoring of staff to assure safe, effective, and compliant operations. The Operations Manager reports to the EED Chief Operating Officer and has day-to-day interface with all levels of Line Management and Project Management Office Directors to provide guidance and support on all manner of operational topics. The incumbent works with little or no direction and has the latitude to make decisions on behalf of the EED organization. Many of the assignments are self-initiated after identification of an operational risk or condition that must be mitigated. The incumbent may work on large, longer term tasks or short discreet tasks, either of which may be at differing complexities, risk and impact. They will be a task lead on operational initiatives as assigned by the EED Chief Operating Officer or other EED senior managers. The Operations Manager is considered an expert with respect to Environment Safety & Health (ES&H), Facilities & Operations (F&O) and Security related processes, procedures and requirements. The incumbent is expected to lead by effectively influencing management and staff at all levels. The primary role of the EED Operations Office is to integrate operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions across EED and the Support Organizations to enable and enhance effective and efficient project execution in support of the EED mission. Additionally, the incumbent must be viewed as an expert in the operational arena. They must be able to lead by effectively influencing management and staff at all levels, both internally and externally. The incumbent must be able to productively and proactively network to build good working relationships across the Laboratory. Major challenges include being able to bridge successfully between EED mission execution and the operational requirements of doing business at PNNL, responding 24/7 to events and issues, staying abreast of organization and Lab level changes to requirements and assuring communications are effectively carried out related to the changes. This is an ever-changing work environment, where you are expected to be able to think strategically and anticipate upcoming impacts and risks, while responding to day-to-day needs of the Energy & Environment Directorate. The position reports to the EED Chief Operating Officer and has day to day interface with Division Directors, Group Leaders, and Project Management Office Directors to provide guidance and support. The incumbent is expected to work with little to no direction and will have the latitude to make decisions on behalf of the EED organization. Many assignments are self-initiated after 1) identification of a risk or condition that must be mitigated and/or 2) erroneous decisions or recommendations would result in failure to achieve EED and/or Laboratory operational performance objectives. The incumbent may work on large, longer-term tasks or short discreet tasks, either of which may be at differing complexities, risk and impact. Finally, the incumbent will be a task lead on operational initiatives as identified by the EED Chief Operating Officer or other EED senior managers.

Requirements

BS/BA and 12 years of experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 10 years of experience
Demonstrated experience leading or supporting organizational operations and complex initiatives, including identifying operational needs, risks, or opportunities and developing and implementing solutions.
U.S. Citizenship
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates: If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
The Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

Preference for applicants who have an advanced degree and extensive experience in broad operational positions (ESH/F&O/Quality) and clearly demonstrate expertise in strategic alignment, and integration/implementation of new operating principles and practices.
Ability to obtain Radiological Worker I qualification
Outstanding operational experience, knowledge and discipline.
Lead through influence at all levels within the Directorate, across Directorates, and with M&O organizations.
The incumbent must be able to productively and proactively network to build good working relationships across the Laboratory and with the DOE Pacific Northwest Site Office (PNSO).
The incumbent must have a thorough knowledge of and a demonstrated commitment to the Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles.
The incumbent must be an experienced and respected leader, advisor and facilitator.
Detailed knowledge of and experience with PNNL ES&H, Quality and F&O processes and systems is a plus.
Strong operational discipline with background and/or experience in process and/or system engineering, DOE Conduct of Operations or DOE nuclear operations.

Responsibilities

Leads scientific, technology and engineering vision, strategy development and execution.
Includes responsibility for the conception of, development of, and execution of internal investments to advance strategic objectives.
Provides input into capability and infrastructure needs for areas of responsibility.
Provides leadership for assigned areas in growing new business and maintaining and expanding existing business.
Responsible to develop and maintain strong relationships with assigned sponsors.
Management of Research Operations budget.
Support and strengthen the safety culture of the organization through reinforcement of the Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles.
Oversight and day-to-day leadership of ES&H and Quality subject matter experts.
Management of a team of full-time staff in the Operations office and oversight and direction matrixed support staff.
Operational Performance Management, including planning and execution of the Annual EED Operations Performance/Assessment Plan and EED Operations Strategic Plan.
Providing guidance and oversight to cognizant space managers.
Assuring operational excellence via anticipation and communication of requirements, identification and mitigation of previously unidentified critical, high risk issues, strategic awareness, influencing operational culture and having a presence and demonstrating leadership within EED and across the Laboratory.
Facilitation and resolution of issues via advocacy for EED staff & Management, and for Support Organizations, analysis of options, recommendations, maintaining situational awareness, communication, coordination, continuity and consistency.
Operational event recovery, including the conduct of critiques, cause analyses, extent of condition and cause, corrective action planning, effectiveness reviews and lessons learned.
Facilities & Infrastructure support, including: Participation in F&I planning, preparation of F&I Requests, identification of opportunities, POC for tactical move requests and coordination.
Developing creative or unique solutions to highly complex problems for which no precedents or past practices exist.