Section Head, HFIR Beamline Operations

Overview :

We are seeking a Section Head for HFIR Beamline Operations in the Neutron Scattering Division (NSD) of the Neutron Sciences Directorate.

The Neutron Sciences Directorate operates two neutron facilities on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy : the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).

NSD’s mission is to develop world-class neutron scattering methods, approaches, and instrumentation; lead and support a vibrant user program;

and perform cutting-edge scientific research that benefits from and contributes to these advances. NSD works with scientists from around the world and from a wide range of fields to solve critical research problems in fundamental and applied sciences.

The HFIR Beamline Operations section supports scattering experiments and instruments at HFIR, assures safe and reliable operations, and will manage the transition of the HFIR instruments during the Be-reflector replacement outage.

Within the section, the HFIR Science Support group, consisting of Scientific Associates, provides direct technical support as integral part of the instrument teams for each of the HFIR beamlines.

The Instrument Support group provides technical support for the operation of the HFIR beamlines, interfaces with Research Reactor Division personnel and crafts for maintenance, repairs, and improvements.

Purpose

The Technical Section Head provides leadership to a thematic area of technical professional expertise for a variety of projects, programs or operations that integrates several aligned technical groups consistent with ORNL’s aspiration to be the world’s premier R&D institution and with ORNL’s science culture.

The Technical Section Head works closely with the Division Director and section Group Leaders to establish and implement the technology directions or operational plans for the section;

support the Group Leaders to ensure their success and the success of the groups as world-recognized leaders in their fields;

ensure that staff members understand project / program directions and opportunities; develop and implement consistent processes for the peer-review of technical products consistent with lab standards;

model proper Environment, Safety, Security, Health, and Quality practices; and ensure a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard and appreciated a workplace that sets an example for the broader community

Major Duties / Responsibilities :

Technical

Technical Professionals are responsible for planning and leading major technical projects, operations or functions to solve challenges for science and engineering.

Their work directly impacts the present and future of the laboratory in significant ways. The Section Head coordinates the activities of the two groups, develops and implements a strategy to safely and reliably support all neutron scattering instruments at HFIR, and assumes responsibility for these operations on behalf of the division.

Leadership

Work closely with the Division Director and Group Leaders within the section to develop a vision and implement a strategy to maintain the highest standards in the support of the neutron research and user programs at SNS and HFIR, and pursue world-leading operations and / or technology directions for the section.

Demonstrate cross-functional team leadership.

Support Division Director in the operations of the division and represent Director when Director is not available.

Work with section Group Leaders to establish, communicate, and measure critical metrics for success and impact. Benchmark against the best in the world.

Actively contribute to shaping the division’s, directorate’s, and laboratory’s plans and investments.

Build strong teams by collaborating across ORNL and securing external expertise when needed. Leverage ORNL facilities and resources when developing new projects.

Work with the Group Leaders and the Division Director to assess and calibrate individual staff performance across the section.

Evaluate progress regularly, providing feedback and addressing performance issues in a timely manner.

Develop and implement Succession Planning with input from Group Leaders for all critical positions in the section to ensure future success.

Ensure groups are recruiting and hiring from a diverse pool of top candidates who are committed to world-class research and aspire to be the best in their field. Approve job offers.

Drive staff promotions and development.

Address in a timely manner all concerns expressed by staff and any disciplinary actions.

Lead 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.

Employ best practices, such as holding regular meetings, being visible in the workplace, monitoring budgets, acknowledging sponsors, and adhering to ORNL business systems requirements regarding staff requests for foreign travel and submission of quality proposals.

Coach and mentor 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.

Exemplify 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.

Service

Serve as direct supervisor for section Group Leaders.

Counsel / consult / mentor staff and transfer knowledge of specialized field(s) to a variety of staff, including senior staff.

Connect staff to your network. Assist Group Leaders (and staff when appropriate) in setting long-term career goals. Identify additional mentors as appropriate and engage senior staff to act in this capacity.

Be open and transparent in communicating information to your groups and communicate staff achievements and changes to stakeholders in a timely manner.

Work with Group Leaders to ensure staff emphasize excellence in user support and are participating actively in professional service (e.

g., engagement in professional societies, workshop and conference organization, peer review, advisory board membership, etc.).

Advocate for and support internal and external recognition of staff achievements. Ensure the Section’s external professional presence is strong.

Ensure that staff manage their projects effectively to deliver results on scope, schedule, and budget while meeting technical and business expectations.

Effectively communicate the importance of protecting proprietary or sensitive information and complying with ORNL security and cybersecurity policies and guidelines.

Recognize and support the contributions and responsibilities of Group Leaders and Laboratory Space Managers to lab safety.

Accountabilities :

To section staff, for the quality and safety of their work environment and opportunity for professional growth.

To organization managers, for a world-leading user program and technology directions, safe effective, and compliant operations, ownership of assigned staff, facilities, and equipment, and the quality of products and services.

To customer, including the user community, for the quality of products and service.

Authorities :

Implement a strategy to pursue a world-leading user program and technology directions for the section.

Hold staff accountable for performance

Act to ensure safe and effective operations

Hire staff group leaders and staff as appropriate

Certify the technical quality of products and services

Basic Qualifications :

Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, a B.

S. with 12 years of relevant experience, or significant relevant experience.

Qualified candidates should have demonstrated experience in leading technical teams

Qualified candidates must have demonstrated experience in coordinating operational activities at a large-scale user facility, and experience in working within the constraints of radiological environments.

This position requires successful completion of required training, including radiological training.

Preferred Qualifications :

Expertise gained by having worked specifically in one of the functions supported by the section is a plus.

When applying to this position, please submit a 1-page Vision Statement for the Section, addressing the role of each Group’s research and user efforts within this vision, and the inclusion of users into the implementation of this vision.

In order to submit your vision statement, please follow these instructions :

Login to your application at jobs.ornl.gov

Navigate to your Candidate Profile

Under the Documents tab, you should see an option to Attach a Document

Select the option to attach a document, and upload your vision statement there

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.

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.

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