Chief Operating Officer (Operational Systems Directorate)

Overview: The Operational Systems Directorate is made up of about 800 dedicated team members responsible for operating and maintaining PNNL’s facilities and infrastructure; managing and deploying our environment, health, safety, and security programs; planning development and investment in our campuses; executing our construction project portfolio; and leading our nuclear facility safety and operations.
We are dedicated to ensuring that the Department of Energy maintains access to safe, secure, sustainable, and modern facilities that provide world-class laboratories ready for world-class research.
We are looking for our next Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Operational Systems Directorate (OSD).
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) reports directly to the OSD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) and provides direct line management for the Operational Systems Directorate Operations Office, Configuration & Document Management Team, and Chief Engineer.
This position has broad responsibility for the performance, quality, and effectiveness of all OSD programs, processes, and deliverables.
This includes understanding and acting upon issues that may affect OSD performance and the directorate’s ability to meet operational expectations, complete required deliverables, and meet research and stakeholder needs.
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 Responsibilities: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) is a critical member of the directorate senior leadership team and directly influences both the tactical and strategic success of the organization.
Working in close alignment with and at the direction of the OSD ALD, these responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Providing broad direction and oversight of all aspects of OSD scope including development of directorate-level strategies and continuous improvement initiatives.
Representing OSD’s interests and working with other PNNL Research and Management & Operations COO’s to support achievement of the Lab’s mission.
Providing direction and oversight of OSD performance management including the development, monitoring, and reporting of performance against directorate business plan and associated priorities.
Representing OSD through leadership and participation in various PNNL committees, councils, and processes including the Process Safety Board; Corrective Action Review Board; Financial Investment Governance Council; Diversity & Inclusion Council; enterprise risk management; issues management, and validation of financial controls.
Serving as primary point of contact and partnering with representatives from PNNL Business Systems, Information Technology & Communications, and Human Resources to assure OSD needs are met.
Providing oversight and guidance for staffing, hiring, and staff development in collaboration with the OSD Division Directors and Human Resources.
Providing leadership to program execution and operational capabilities both within and outside the directorate.
Actively engaged and promoting operational excellence and a strong safety culture in accordance with PNNL’s Safe Conduct of Research principles.
Promoting a strong diverse and inclusive culture across the directorate.
Representing the ALD fully and effectively as a delegate in Lab Leadership Team (LLT) meetings, internal and external interactions, and other venues as needed.
Additional knowledge, skills, and ability: Strong questioning attitude and willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
Demonstrated ability to produce high quality work products and willingness to hold others accountable for the quality of their work.
Success in working with diverse teams, delivery of critical milestones, technical skills, flexibility, and ingenuity to lead in a complex and changing environment.
Well-developed people leadership talent and ability to achieve outcomes both through influence and direct line authority.
This includes the ability to persevere under adverse conditions to achieve outcomes.
Ability to build a strong network, both within the directorate and across and outside of PNNL.
This includes a history of strategic collaboration across multiple organizations to achieve outcomes in the best interest of stakeholders both within and outside of the directorate.
Ability to make decisions with limited or incomplete information and effectively manage in an environment of ambiguity.
Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: BS/BA and 15 years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA or higher and 13 years of relevant experience Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in engineering or related science.
Leadership experience in facility and nuclear operations; project management; and development & implementation of processes/programs associated with Laboratory operations.
Broad knowledge and experience base associated with OSD’s scope of responsibility including facility and nuclear operations and maintenance, EHS&S program management, project management and execution, labor management, waste management, transportation, warehouse operations, and engineering & configuration management.
Demonstrated advancement through increasing levels of leadership responsibility and impact with a history of success.
Experience in understanding DOE and associated regulatory/oversight offices and agencies.
Experience and knowledge to understand and assure performance of supporting functions and capabilities associated with OSD success (e.
g.
, financial management, human resources, communications, performance management, quality assurance, information technology).
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 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, 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.