Overview

At a time when complex environmental problems are emerging on every front, the Nuclear Sciences Division's staff, capabilities, and facilities are delivering science and technology innovations for the environment, as well as for energy and national security needs. Our diverse work addresses a wide range of national and international challenges, from providing solutions that protect the health of people who must work in hazardous environments, to developing durable new materials, streamlining industrial processes for improved productivity and effectiveness, and delivering new approaches for environmental cleanup. Nuclear Sciences Division capabilities and efforts are focused in three key areas including Environmental Health and Remediation, Nuclear Regulatory, and Nuclear Energy.

Responsibilities

Job Description:

The Nuclear Sciences Division within the Energy and Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is seeking a Group Leader (GL) for the Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering Group. The Nuclear Chemistry and Engineering (NCE) Group supports legacy waste cleanup and long-term storage, river corridor protection, the beneficial use of nuclear materials, the full life cycle of nuclear fuel, national security missions, and nuclear energy production. Work is conducted primarily in the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL), a Hazard Category II Nuclear Facility in the Hanford 300 Area.

The NCE Group is responsible for developing solutions for diverse set of sponsors challenges including carbon-free nuclear power, legacy nuclear waste disposal, medical isotopes, and stewarding key elements of the nuclear stockpile. This requires building and stewarding an organization composed of an equally diverse set of technical skills including scientists, engineers, project managers, operations specialists, and administrators. The group, with over 75 staff members, consists of seven teams led by Team Leaders that reports to the Group Leader. The technical disciplines represented within the Group include analytical and radiochemistry, chemical separations, actinide science, material science, chemical engineering, and nuclear engineering .

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

The role of the GL is to (1) maintain and develop technical capabilities aligned with research areas and business needs, (2) lead research nuclear operations including staff, facilities and equipment and is responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and instilling a strong safety culture. The GL is a key interface between the group and various business sectors, projects, and support functions within PNNL. Principle responsibilities include:

• Lead the growth strategy for PNNL’s RPL.

• Market group capabilities across the Laboratory and support Sector Managers (SMs) in external marketing.

• Ensure safe, secure, effective, and compliant operations with the RPL Safety Basis, safeguards limits, and other requirements for nuclear operations as well as general PNNL safety requirements.

• Network with other GLs, Project Management Office Directors (PMODs) and staff from PNNL, Battelle Memorial Institute, national laboratories, and other organizations to discover and fulfill capability requirements.

• Work with Division Directors, SMs and PMODs to identify future resource requirements.

• Hire and assign diverse, qualified staff to projects.

• Manage assigned resources to ensure optimum utilization of staff, equipment, and facilities.

• Cultivate staff success through advancement of a supportive work environment where all staff members are valued and respected.

• Provide quality performance feedback to staff members, support professional and personal development goals, and take corrective actions as needed.

• Ensure quality of product/services delivered by assigning appropriately trained and motivated staff.

• Take action to mitigate hazards associated with work conducted by assigned staff.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 12 years work experience -OR-

• MS/MA or higher and 10 years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, radiochemistry, chemistry, engineering, or related discipline, is preferred, with progressively responsible leadership experience and experience managing complex assignments.

• Demonstrated ability to lead staff in the conduct of nuclear research operations.

• Successful performance as a senior scientist, engineer and/or project manager including sponsor relationship management.

• Strong interpersonal communications, oral and written, and problem solving.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• The group and team reside in the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL). The RPL is a Hazard Category II Nuclear Facility with capability for performing work on high-level radioactive and hazardous materials. The incumbent must be able to achieve at least Radiological Worker I qualification. The incumbent must be able to access the Personnel Contamination Monitors (PCMs) when exiting Radiological Buffer Areas, hear and respond to visual & auditory alarms, and must be able to walk swiftly in the event of a criticality alarm.

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

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, flexible work schedules and telework options. 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

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 .

Drug Free Workplace

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.

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

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.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that 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.

Rockstar Rewards

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.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $201,900.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $302,900.00/Yr.