Principal Technical Advisor

DUTIES

• Establish cost-effective technical solutions to issues generated by frequently changing requirements; define and conduct technical investigations where appropriate. Develop "leading edge" methods and technologies to effectively mitigate undesirable programmatic and operational issues or deficiencies.
•  Provide expert technical guidance and leadership on problem resolution by assessing atypical, unusually complex issues, and situations impacting future roles of the organization and/or program operations (e.g., site policies, major process reengineering, strategic planning, organizational development).
• Typical assignments are most often broad, and program oriented in nature; assignments require extended periods of time often involving several months to years, although smaller and less complex issues are handled and occasionally require less time.
•  Provide expert leadership of multi-disciplinary team(s) engaged in highly visible/business sensitive, project-type work involving extremely complex problems, and/or key budget, schedule, or regulatory compliance issues, for example.
• May involve engaging consultants and other outside experts. Define scope of new project-type work and changing technical program requirements. Work independently to ensure adherence to technical policies and guidelines; consult with cognizant management and staff on corrective action plans.
• Represent assigned organization and technical issues to both internal and external customers; manage related correspondence. Interact with DOE-SR, DOE-HQ, and other external organizations on substantive matters involving assigned technical issues. Interact with oversight panels and boards as appropriate in areas of technical expertise.
• Propose strategic business goals and milestones involving technical issues for which incumbent has expertise, and against which organizational and operational performance will be measured; participate in related strategic initiatives. Develop strategic plans for major new program areas and for resolving technical issues.
• Remain intellectually current of job-related emerging technologies, and serve as communications source for advanced technical theories, principles, and concepts.
• Manage special projects involving multiple divisions, departments, or other organizations. Utilize self-initiative and delegated authority to draw on the required resources and expertise to solve complex organizational and programmatic problems within the framework of a team environment with limited direction.
• Provide input and participate in programmatic improvement initiatives in support of mission goals. Provide technical and operational input on such items as Authorization Bases Documents, technical reports, and program-level procedures. Also, provide technical input to Training, Procedures, and other such support organizations, as appropriate. Safety is a primary responsibility in each job performed.
• Obtain safety training, obey safety rules. and make safety an integral part of each task. Take the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or will create an unsafe condition.

Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in a physical science (e.g., chemistry, physics, biology) or engineering (chemical, nuclear, electrical, mechanical) field with 15 to 20 years' experience preferably in nuclear related assignments, including direct operations management; some assignments in this job family require a major in statistics, math, or computer sciences, along with substantial practical experience. An advanced degree, to the Master's or PhD/Doctorate level is preferable and would proportionally reduce the years of experience required.


Top Skills & Years of Experience:
-Advanced knowledge of such subjects as analytical chemistry, radiochemistry, non-destructive examination techniques, reactor physics, statistics, or plant operations are typical areas in which the incumbent will need to demonstrate a high level of proficiency.
-20+ years of experience with Nuclear Material Control and Accountability at a DOE/NNSA site

Nice to Have:
- Substantive management experience in these or related fields
-Extensive hands-on experience with computers and various types of software, a knowledge of the administrative systems, and previous assignments in facility operations and maintenance, engineering, or business-type functions, such as finance, operational and/or program/project planning/scheduling, information resources, or procurement operations.
- Candidates who have possessed an active DOE clearance (L or Q) within the past two (2) years are preferred.