Division Director, Environmental Sciences

Requisition Id 15529 

 

­­Overview:

The Biological and Environmental Systems Science Directorate (BESSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks applicants for the Division Director (DD) of the Environmental Sciences Division (ESD). Reporting to the BESSD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD), the DD is responsible for leading and stewarding the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) core Science and Technology (S&T) capabilities (i.e., Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Science; Advanced Computing, Scientific Visualization and Data Sciences; and Earth and Energy Systems Infrastructure Analysis and Engineering) in alignment with existing programmatic missions and emerging opportunities, and establishing and implementing strategic directions in concert with BESSD leadership.

 

ESD is an interdisciplinary research and development organization with 140 scientists and engineers, a $70M annual budget, and more than 70 years of achievements in local, national, and international environmental research. Our vision is to expand scientific knowledge and develop innovative strategies and technologies that will boost economic prosperity, ensure energy security, and strengthen the nation's competitiveness while sustaining Earth’s natural resources. Our scientists conduct research, develop technology, and perform analyses to understand and assess responses of environmental systems at the environment-human-energy interface. ESD scientists examine environmental processes from the molecular to the global level in support of projects primarily sponsored by DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Water Power Technologies Office, and the Office of Environmental Management. The DD is responsible for providing scientific leadership for the Division’s research programs and for maintaining the quality of research. This is accomplished by working with staff and the ALD to deliver on existing programs while developing new programs in collaboration with leaders across ORNL. The DD also has primary responsibility for managing the relationship with the Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division in the DOE Office of Science’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership that focuses and integrates Division capabilities toward world-class S&T goals.
• Provide and/or supervise direct point-of-contact program management interface to sponsoring organizations.
• Collaborate with management peers to assist the ALD in defining and implementing strategic programmatic research and development (R&D) missions for BESSD and the Laboratory.
• Represent ORNL before advisory committees.
• Emphasize the scientific productivity, impact, and reputation of ESD and engagement of staff in professional organizations.
• Ensure the Division executes projects and delivers outcomes consistent with commitments on budget and schedule.
• Execute line management responsibilities including supervision of Division leadership, budget and business planning, salary planning, staff recruitment and development, employee relations, and performance management.
• Build Division capabilities by attracting a quality pool of top candidates and hiring staff members who are committed to world-class R&D and aspire to be the best in their field.
• Serve as the division work authority, striving to implement a culture within the workplace that is attentive to the identification of hazards and responsive to providing controls and processes to address the hazards.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in an environmental research field such as biogeochemistry, bioenergy, computational environmental science, ecology, earth science, earth system modeling, hydrology, environmental informatics or closely related field, plus 15 years of relevant experience is required.
• An international record of research/technical achievement, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, and/or funded research grants.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance in a timely manner.
• Significant experience and demonstrated competence in the management of large-scale scientific projects and