Group Leader - Performance Assurance

Requisition Id14544

Overview:

We are seeking a Performance Assurance Group Leader to join the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division's (ESED) Systems & Process Assurance (SPA) Section leadership team! ESED is one of four Divisions of the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

ESED serves the nation in two critical areas: advancing enrichment technologies and exploring enriched stable isotope production and applications. The division leverages an elite staff of scientists and engineers with the world-leading capabilities of Oak Ridge National Laboratory to deliver groundbreaking advancements with a variety of applications, from national security to life-saving medical treatments.

The SPA Section provides division-wide services in support of the strategic advancement of science and technology focused on the research and development of prototype enrichment devices for processing uranium-bearing and stable isotope compounds. The Performance Assurance Group is responsible for the management of, and services related to:

• Issues Management
  • Fostering a healthy reporting culture.
  • Corrective action development.
  • Reporting and trending.
  • Mitigating issue recurrence.
  • Causal Analysis, Effectiveness Reviews.
• Technical Events
  • Tracking.
  • Extent of condition.
  • Resolution/Elevation.
• Training
  • Role development, assignment.
  • Technical content development.
  • Qualifications, On-the-Job training, module development, delivery.
• Continuous improvement activities
• Metrics & Trending

The Performance Assurance Group Leader is responsible for communicating well and often with Group Leaders and Division Leadership to ensure that services and processes provided by this group are designed to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement, report deficiencies to the responsible managers, complete corrective actions, and share in lessons learned effectively across all aspects of work performance to support ESED's missions to the fullest extent.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership:

• Effectively interacting with various personnel and sponsors, both within and outside of ORNL.
• Leading in a team environment. It is expected that the successful candidate will work collaboratively with coworkers and management, as well as independently, to fully document work.
• Developing and implementing plans to exploit new opportunities and/or expand existing efforts.
• Assisting staff in setting performance goals consistent with the Group's strategy and members' long-term career goals.
• Providing feedback to address employee concerns and performance issues in a timely manner.
• Providing relevant input to assist the Systems & Process Assurance (SPA) Section Head with staff development while providing direct and impactful guidance to staff on a regular basis.
• Supporting the Section Head in the operation of the Section and representing the Section Head when unavailable.
• Establishing, communicating, and measuring critical metrics for success and impact.
• Developing and implementing succession planning for all critical positions in the Group to ensure future success.
• Attracting a high-quality, diverse pool of top candidates.
• Driving staff promotions and development.
• Leading by example, using the principles in ORNL's "Research Code of Conduct" as a guide for proposing, performing, and communicating research, and in dealing with others.
• Employing best practices, such as holding regular meetings, being visible in the workplace, monitoring budgets, acknowledging sponsors, and adhering to ORNL business systems requirements.
• Coaching and mentoring staff regarding Battelle's "Safe Conduct of Research" principles and ensure all work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures.
• Exemplifying a commitment to "One ORNL" by modeling lab expectations for excellence in research, operations, and community engagement, and by working cooperatively to leverage capabilities across the lab.
• 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.

Service:

• Serving as direct supervisor for staff members in the Group.
• Advancing the reputation of the Group members and standing of the Group as a whole through establishing collaborations, encouraging professional society leadership and involvement, and organizing technical events.
• Counseling/consulting/mentoring staff and transferring knowledge of specialized field(s) to a variety of staff, including senior staff.
• Being open and transparent in communicating information to your Group members and communicate staff achievements and changes to stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Holding regular Group meetings and being visible in the workplace.
• Advocating for and supporting internal and external recognition of staff achievements.
• Effectively communicating the importance of protecting proprietary or sensitive information and complying with ORNL cybersecurity policies and guidelines.

Accountabilities:

• To Group staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunity for professional growth.
• To the Systems & Process Assurance Section Head and all ESED organization managers for world-leading science and technology directions; safe, effective, and compliant operations; ownership of assigned staff, facilities, and equipment; and the quality of products and services
• To customers, for the quality of products and services.

Authorities:

• Developing a vision and implementing a cohesive Group technical strategy to ensure the success of new and ongoing projects to position the Document Control & Records Management Group for future success.
• Holding staff accountable for performance.
• Acting to ensure safe and effective operations.
• Hiring staff.
• Certifying the technical quality of the Group's products and services.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in leading technical teams and/or support organizations.
• Expertise with complex data management processes and systems.
• Experience supporting multiple organizations within a project or program.
• Experience working in a closed-loop corrective action system.
• Strong working knowledge of DOE O 414.1D, Quality Assurance, and implementation of quality standards (e.g., NQA-1, ISO 9001).
• Experience with the marking, handling, and storage requirements of sensitive documents (e.g., CUI, ECI, UCNI, CRD, SRD).
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Experience monitoring and evaluating work performed under DOE contracts, including the work of subcontractors, to ensure work performance meets the applicable requirements for site management systems such as:
  • Environment, Safety, and Health,
  • Quality Assurance,
  • Integrated Safety Management,
  • Safeguards and Security,
  • Cyber Security,
  • Emergency Management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active DOE Q security clearance.
• Technical supervisory experience.
• Experience within the isotope enrichment industry.
• Experience with metrics and trending analyses.
• Working knowledge of DOE O 226.1B, Implementation of Department of Energy Oversight Policy.
• Working knowledge of DOE-HDBK-1078-94, Training Program Handbook: A Systematic Approach to Training.
• Experience managing software/systems in a secure network environment.
• Experience performing root cause analysis.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in information security, classification, UCNI, declassification, or potentially classified subject areas; with increasing responsibilities for managing, implementing, planning, evaluating, and assessing this type of work.

Special Requirements:

Q clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include:Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan,Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.