What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager position at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory?
Overview:
Provides leadership to managers and professional staff in conducting effective, efficient, and safe research in support of the NSD mission. Is responsible for directorate operational performance assurance across multiple related teams. Develops operational plans that enable business, research, and/or organizational priorities. Decisions are guided by resource availability and organizational objectives and priorities.
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Responsibilities:
Requirements:
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
Drug Free Workplace:
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement:
Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.
Provides leadership to managers and professional staff in conducting effective, efficient, and safe research in support of the NSD mission. Is responsible for directorate operational performance assurance across multiple related teams. Develops operational plans that enable business, research, and/or organizational priorities. Decisions are guided by resource availability and organizational objectives and priorities.
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
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- 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.
- Oversight and day-to-day leadership of ES&H and Quality subject matter experts.
- Management of 14 staff in the Operations office and oversight and direction to >20 matrixed support staff.
- Operational Performance Management, including planning and execution of the Annual NSD Operations Performance/Assessment Plan and NSD Operations Strategic Plan.
- Providing guidance and oversight to approximately 120 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 NSD and across the Laboratory.
- Facilitation and resolution of issues via advocacy for NSD staff & Management, and for Support Organizations, analysis of options, recommendations, maintaining situational awareness, communication, coordination, continuity and consistency.
- Foreign travel support for Lab-wide international travel.
- 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.
- The incumbent is accountable to the NSD Management team and NSD staff for execution of responsibilities and to M&O Lab management for integration of M&O expectations.
Job Duties/Expectations:
- The primary role of the NSD Operations Office is to integrate operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions across NSD and the Support Organizations to enable and enhance effective and efficient project execution in support of the NSD mission.
- Additionally, the incumbent must be viewed as an expert in the operational arena. The incumbent 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 NSD 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 National Security Directorate.
- The position reports to the NSD 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 NSD 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 NSD 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 NSD Chief Operating Officer or other NSD senior managers.
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 12 plus years of experience -OR-
- Advanced Degree plus 10 years of experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Preference for applicants who have an advanced degree and at least 12 years of 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.
- 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.
This incumbent must be Rad Worker I trained and qualified and the incumbent will enter radiological areas.
Additional Information:
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
Requirements:
- 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 candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and 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 until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.
Testing Designated Position (TDP):
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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.
About PNNL:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
