NSDD Sustainability Project Support - Project Manager 1

at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Springfield, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Overview

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex-from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation’s borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities-rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools-are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) Physical Detection System and Deployment Division’s Technology Integration (TI) Group seeks a Project Manager 1. In this role, the candidate will support the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) by serving as a Project Supporter. Specifically, the position will serve as Project Support for the NSDD Sustainability Program, building partner capacity to sustain and continuously improve the people, processes, and equipment associated with countries’ counter-nuclear smuggling (CNS) programs.

This position will assist with the overall planning, execution, control, and coordination of project activities to develop and improve CNS capabilities in NSDD partnering countries. The candidate will report directly to the assigned NSDD Sustainability Managers (SMs) for the day-to-day execution of project activities and be accountable to the NSDD Sustainability Program Manager for expert delivery and customer relationship development. This candidate will interface with PNNL SMs, DOE/NNSA Federal Managers, partner country stakeholders, and other international stakeholders. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

+ Provide technical and project management expertise to assist SMs in developing and implementing NSDD projects;

+ Deliver technical and project management support for assigned project activities, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, change control, project documentation, performance tracking, and reporting while complying with all Program policies and procedures;

+ Assist NSDD multidisciplinary country teams to coordinate and schedule activities with partner countries;

+ Plan and support NSDD country visits to assess CNS capabilities. This includes preparing briefings for discussions with senior partner country government officials, managing logistics contracts, and coordinating trip approvals.

The candidate will reside as a member of the Technology Integration group within the National Security Directorate. He or she will report directly to the NSDD Sustainability Program Manager and be accountable for expert delivery and customer relationship management.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control, and completion of specific projects ensuring consistency with organizational strategy, commitments, and goals. This includes acquiring resources and coordinating the efforts of team members and third-party resources in order to deliver projects according to plan. Also responsible to define the projects objectives and oversee quality control throughout its life cycle. Key attributes leading to the determination of upward progression in this career family include: project complexity, risk, team size, business volume, contract type, and political/client/business sensitivities.

This position is accountable to the NSDD Sustainability Program Manager for:

+ Overseeing assigned technical and project management tasks to ensure project activities comply with technical scope, budget, and schedule commitments while complying with all Program policy requirements.

+ Providing technical expertise and coordination.

This position is accountable to the assigned Team Lead for:

+ Adherence to laboratory policies and procedures including, but not limited to, timely time reporting, annual refresher training, and project-specific training; adherence to expense report policies, etc.

+ Communication and commitment to professional development activities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

+ BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant project management experience OR

+ MS/MA or higher and 3+ years of relevant project management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Experience providing project management support in a science/engineering, international relations, or security-related field for assigned project activities, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, change control, project documentation, performance tracking, and reporting.

+ Demonstrated ability to work proactively with clients and to initiate and carry out new activities independently.

+ Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with U.S. Government sponsors and senior program managers.

+ Demonstrated ability to work in a highly politically sensitive environment due to the nature of business dealings with senior federal staff and the high visibility of the program.

+ Demonstrated organizational skills with an ability to adapt and prioritize work assignments in a rapidly changing environment.

+ Possess the ability to effectively work with and manage widely dispersed multi-laboratory staff and teams.

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability for writing technical, policy-oriented, and project documents in a clear and understandable manner.

+ Knowledge of contracting principles and business practices within the government, commercial and international arenas; knowledge of a wide range project management, marketing, and financial practices; knowledge of business standards and practices.

+ Prior experience working with Department of Energy sponsors in national security initiatives.

+ Prior experience working in countries located in Southeast Asia and/or the Middle East.

+ Prior experience in cyber-nuclear security, supply chain management, stand-alone cyber security, law enforcement, data management, or RF technology for anti-UAS systems.

+ Technical education in a science/engineering, international relations, or security-related field.

+ Experience working on international and/or domestic nuclear security-related projects.

+ Pre-existing experience/relationships with NNSA NSDD clients strongly preferred.

+ Project Management Professional credential.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

+ Frequent domestic and/or international travel is required (not to exceed 25%).

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 considere