Division Director, Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division

Requisition Id 14148 

 

Overview:

The Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applicants for the Division Director of the Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division (NNFD). This position reports to the ISED Associate Laboratory Director. The incumbent will ensure compliant, safe and efficient operations of the NNFD facilities, enabling world-leading radioisotope production and research and development inside the facilities.

 

NNFD facilities are comprised of multiple buildings (including Hazard Category 2 & 3 nuclear facilities) which house laboratories with shielded hot cells, glove boxes and other laboratory spaces. This position is one of ORNL’s most critical to the overall risk profile of the laboratory while also being considered essential to the Department of Energy mission and commitment to isotope supply. Additionally, many other ORNL R&D programs depend directly or indirectly on the nuclear capabilities made possible by the facilities under the control of NNFD. This position will interface with research, production, and waste management organizations as well as other facilities both on and off the ORNL campus. 

 

Due to the high-hazard work conducted in these facilities, high standards, good organization, and discipline are required by the incumbent and all staff, requiring a leader that sets a measured and disciplined tone while promoting an environment of creativity and flexibility essential to R&D work. Balancing these tones is critical to the success of the work conducted in these facilities.  Visiting scientists and users from other institutions may not have the same cultural norms regarding operational discipline, making this a dynamic and challenging environment.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Manage the NNFD to support the research and radioisotope production missions of the laboratory. Responsible for the reliable, safe, efficient and sustainable operation of all the nuclear facilities with an annual budget of approximately $60M.
• Operate the NNFD facilities to support multiple program efforts including post-irradiation examination of irradiated materials and nuclear fuels, fuel cycle technology development and demonstration, radioisotope R&D and production, used fuel disposition R&D, Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) testing, storage of valuable nuclear materials, and remote -handled legacy material disposition.
• Manage the division of approximately 180 direct and matrixed staff, actively engage with human resources on succession planning, salary planning, development and subject area coordination.
• Ensure that NNFD facilities are operated within their approved DOE authorization envelopes and are compliant with federal and state laws, and with laboratory policies, standards, and procedures as documented in the Standards Based Management System, as well as meeting the expectations of the laboratory agenda.
• Proactively maintain the NNFD infrastructure to stay compliant with federal regulations and enable radioisotope production and R&D work inside the facilities.
• Work towards consolidation of ORNL’s nuclear infrastructure to reduce overall risk and provide the safest and most efficient facilities and support infrastructure.
• Collaborate with the DOE site office and program offices to share regular updates on facility status and plans for infrastructure improvements.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace- in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

 Basic Qualifications:

• A BS degree in engineering or related technical field with at least ten years of management experience in operations and facility management is required.
• A strong understanding of DOE Conduct of Operations (DOE O 422.1) requirements for Non-Reactor Nuclear Facilities.
• A foundational understanding of requirements for proce