Requisition Id 12977 

Purpose:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and conduct research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

The ­­­­Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the senior operations leader within the Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD), holding the authority to represent the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) on all operational matters.  From this position, the COO will establish expectations, provide mentoring and support, and hold line managers accountable for continuous improvements in operational performance, including conduct of operations, operational culture and accountability, configuration management, compliance, quality assurance, and environmental safety and health. 

Driving these improvements, the COO will ensure that programmatic goals are delivered while operating the lab and secure facilities effectively, efficiently, reliably, and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and client expectations.

The CCSD COO will also work across the scientific computing community with other laboratories, agencies, and programs to coordinate strategic initiatives related to computing and computational sciences.

The COO will support the ALD on matters pertaining to the development of directorate strategic planning and business planning. With the support of the directorate leadership team, the COO will lead the development and execution of new initiatives to improve operational performance and reliability, facilitate management of operational events, support diversity of perspective and an empowering culture, and drive the Safe Conduct of Research principles into the organizational culture and operations.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Directorate Operations:

• Formulate long-term operations strategies in collaboration with ALD that integrate with science and technology directions of directorate.

• Work with ALD office and Division Directors to facilitate directorate-level strategic planning .

• Support CCSD’s ALD in implementing the operational improvements needed to meet the expectations of the Laboratory Agenda and the CCSD Business Plan.

• Support and drive laboratory-level change in operational practices and systems.

• Be cognizant of activities in the directorate and the associated operational challenges, risks, and hazards. Serve as a member of the Directorate Operations Managers Forum.

• Be active in laboratory-level activities such as strategic planning and policy development, commitment management.  Lead assessment and corrective action teams.

• Review and assess the impacts of various proposed ORNL initiatives and management systems’ changes and develop implantation plans to ensure safe, secure, effective, and efficient operations within CCSD.

• Represent CCSD and the R&D mission of the directorate/laboratory by communicating issues, lessons learned, best practices, and challenges related to management systems, operations, safety, security, compliance, and performance assessments to the Operations Managers Forum, Management System Owners, and ORNL’s Leadership Team.

• Facilitate special activities including workshops, specialized committees, etc., for the directorate, ORNL, DOE-ASCR, and other sponsors.

• Assess and coordinate responses to requests for input from laboratory management, DOE, and other sponsors.

• Represent CCSD on and lead external HPC initiatives including coordination of DOE’s and ORNL’s participation in the SC Conference series.

Facilities:

• Lead directorate facility planning initiatives.

• Lead Data Center Operations Council which develops the Strategic Plan for ORNL Data Centers and defines and enforces guidelines, standards, policies, procedures, cost model, and metrics for the allocation, utilization, and reclamation of all ORNL computing facilities’ space and infrastructure.

• Maintain and upgrade facilities and general space capabilities in coordination with Facilities & Operations and Division Space Coordinators.

Oversight:

• Exercise control for building access for Foreign Nationals.

• Work with Division Directors to ensure Export Control and other procedures are followed.

• Coordinate with Division Directors to provide operational support to researchers to maintain compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, DOE orders, and ORNL policies and procedures regarding safety and environmental protection.

• Support the ALD in ensuring directorate compliance with operations related ORNL policies, standards, procedures, requirements, and tools as documented in the Standards Based Management System (SBMS).

• Act as the Subject Matter Expert in the development of Facility Use Agreements, and other safety and operational documents for classified and unclassified activities within CCSD.

• Accountable to the CCSD ALD for leadership and oversight of operations-related management systems, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across the entire directorate.

• Accountable to the CCSD line management and staff for the development and deployment of operations-related mechanisms that support safe, efficient, and effective research.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS in a scientific or engineering discipline with at least 12 years of experience working in R&D missions and operations.

• 5 or more years of experience in effectively managing operational and programmatic teams to support cutting-edge R&D.

• Experience at a major experimental research facility or an equivalent type of facility is required.

• Experience successfully working across scientific computing community agencies and programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS in a scientific or computing related discipline.

• Familiarity with DOE programs and facilities.

• Familiar with applicable DOE regulations for conduct of operations and safe practices or be able to understand regulations and maintain compliance in a DOE facility.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people having a wide range of operational, technical, and scientific backgrounds.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated record of supporting the professional development of staff.

Special Requirement:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Security Clearance. This position is a Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) testing designated position, which requires passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program in which employees are subject to being randomly selected for testing

Authority and Approval Levels:

• Support the ALD in operations and strategy; has proxy on all matters pertaining to the effective operations  of CCSD.

• Implement operational, procedural, and other requirements within the directorate as warranted.

• Direct actions necessary to correct deficiencies and to enforce corrective actions within the directorate.

• Commission independent assessments, reviews, and other oversight mechanisms within the directorate.

• Shut down or restrict any operation considered to be unsafe or outside the facility operating boundary.

• Participate in and approve critiques, incident investigations, and occurrence reports within the directorate.

Accountability:
To the CCSD ALD for leadership and oversight of management systems, program execution, operations, safety, compliance, and performance assessments across the entire directorate.

To Directorate Line Management and staff for the development and deployment of operations-related mechanisms that support safe, efficient, and effective research.

Relocation: 

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.
 
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at jobs.ornl.gov.

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 the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life 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.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

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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.