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Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.
At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.
Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.
The Laboratory Protection office at NREL is seeking motivated and experienced applicants to provide leadership, strategic direction, oversight, and management of the protective force. You will act as the central point for communication and coordination for the protective force across the NREL community, all while upholding a customer service-oriented approach.
Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Lead a diverse team in alignment with DOE O 473.2A, Protective Force Operations (applicable in part) and DOE O 470.4B, Safeguards and Security Program, in close collaboration with the Laboratory Protection Director. Participate in the development and coordination of the NREL security condition (SECON) response plan. Serves on other committees, and working groups as directed by the Laboratory Protection Director. Attend meetings for special projects that require operational needs and protective force support.
Team Leadership: Lead the comprehensive oversight, management, coaching, and development of team members, ensuring regular and timely feedback. Additionally, provide coaching, development, and guidance, conduct talent assessments, manage conflict, and resolve problems—all directed at achieving optimal outcomes for objectives and priorities, including overseeing the activities of the NREL protective force.
Relationship Building: Dedicated team player with a can-do mindset who considers other’s opinions; understands impact on other groups and adapts to change effectively. Cultivate and maintain relationships with Facilities and Operations counterparts, Laboratory leadership, oversight organizations, and local and regional emergency response organizations.
Incident Response: Ability to develop and implement emergency response plans and procedures. Contribute to staff awareness and corrective actions post-incidents for reduced recurrence risk. Collaborate with Emergency Management, Environment, Safety, Health, and local authorities to ensure robust emergency planning, preparedness, and response capabilities, minimizing consequences to personnel, the public, environment, and property during potential incidents at NREL.
Regulatory Knowledge: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of applicable security orders, federal laws, and DOE orders, as well as federal, state, and local organizational structures. Possesses knowledge and experience with DOE Orders and Directives related to emergency management, continuity programs, safeguards and security, protective force operations, and contractor assurance systems. Stays updated on security trends, technologies, and regulations to ensure the organization adheres to best practices, and ensures that processes and procedures are relevant, compliant, and properly executed.
Training: Establish, maintain, and ensure an acceptable level of monitoring and testing activities for protective force personnel and security systems. Supervise training sessions and exercises to ensure the protective force exceeds departmental standards. Provide ongoing training for personnel advancement and support the training coordinator in ensuring a mission-ready force and compliance with 10 CFR 1046 protective force fit-for-duty standards. Manage overtime needs due to vacation, disability, and training.
Proven Skills
Excellent strategic and tactical planning skills.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Proficient research skills.
Ability to supervise, train, and direct subordinate personnel.
Proficiency in designing, hosting, and facilitating stakeholder presentations.
Effective interface with key constituencies and stakeholders.
Capacity to interpret technical information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
Outstanding customer service skills.
Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability.
Expertise in coordinating multiple work units, managing multiple projects, and setting priorities effectively.
This role presents an exceptional opportunity to lead a critical function within NREL, guaranteeing the organization's readiness and safety during emergencies and disasters. The selected candidate will be a key player in upholding NREL's dedication to excellence in renewable energy research and development.
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* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Preferred Qualifications
Strong written and verbal communication skills; effective communicator who can convey important messages in a clear and compelling manner; ability to compose timely notifications for senior leadership during critical and time sensitive events.
Ability to multitask, to work on tight deadlines, and to adapt to frequently changing priorities while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
Strong problem-solving skills: identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions and work well in group problem-solving situations; able to demonstrate innovative and analytical approaches to resolutions.
Strong leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and consensus-building skills.
Maturity and operational problem-solving/decision-making experience.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365.
Effective team player.
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The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
* Based on eligibility rules
NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.
If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.
Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.
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All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
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