Special Projects Program Group Leader

LLNL$200K — $305K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. citizenship required for DOE Q-level security clearance.
  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field or equivalent experience.
  • Advanced knowledge of hazardous and radioactive waste management regulations.
  • Significant technical experience in waste management and operations.
  • Expertise in environmental safety and health (ES&H) and quality assurance standards.
  • Proven track record of leading complex technical programs effectively.
  • Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership for the Special Projects Program.
  • Direct complex radioactive and hazardous waste projects from planning to completion.
  • Develop long-range strategies to support Laboratory missions and waste management.
  • Build partnerships with DOE, regulators, and stakeholders for program success.
  • Lead multidisciplinary teams to foster innovation and operational excellence.
  • Oversee budgeting and resource allocation for mission requirements.
  • Establish performance metrics and monitor project execution for improvements.

Benefits

  • Career Indefinite position for stability and growth.
  • Opportunity to work on high-visibility projects with significant organizational impact.
  • Engagement with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
  • Support for continuous improvement initiatives and regulatory compliance.
  • Potential to work in a critical area of waste management innovation.
Full Job Description
Job Description

We have an opening for a Special Projects Program Group Leader for the Radioactive Hazardous Waste Management (RHWM) Special Projects Group. You will provide strategic leadership for a diverse portfolio of complex radioactive and hazardous waste projects that support critical Laboratory and DOE missions. You will establish program direction, integrate technical, operational, financial, and regulatory objectives, and ensure successful execution of high-consequence projects across the Special Projects Program. This position provides leadership for multidisciplinary technical and administrative staff while fostering operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the RHWM Program. This position is in the RHWM Program within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will
  • Provide strategic leadership for the Special Projects Program, establishing priorities and ensuring alignment with Laboratory, Directorate, and RHWM strategic objectives.
  • Direct a portfolio of complex, high-visibility radioactive and hazardous waste projects from planning through completion, balancing technical scope, schedule, cost, risk, and regulatory compliance.
  • Develop long-range program strategies that support emerging Laboratory missions, facility transitions, decommissioning activities, and non-routine waste management challenges.
  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with DOE, regulators, Laboratory organizations, project sponsors, and external stakeholders to ensure successful program execution.
  • Provide leadership for multidisciplinary technical and administrative personnel by establishing organizational priorities, developing staff capabilities, and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Oversee programmatic budgeting, resource allocation, and capital planning to ensure effective execution of current and future mission requirements.
  • Establish program performance metrics and monitor project execution to identify risks, resolve issues, and improve organizational performance.
  • Ensure Special Projects are executed safely and in full compliance with applicable DOE Orders, federal and state regulations, Laboratory requirements, quality assurance standards, and Integrated Safety Management principles.
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, strengthen regulatory compliance, reduce project risk, and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSL.5 level
  • Develop strategic initiatives that expand Special Projects capabilities to support evolving Laboratory and DOE mission requirements.
  • Serve as the Laboratory's senior programmatic authority for complex radioactive and hazardous waste projects requiring innovative technical and operational solutions Special Projects Group.
  • Lead enterprise-level project portfolios involving multiple organizations, significant technical complexity, substantial financial resources, and executive-level visibility.
  • Represent RHWM with senior Laboratory leadership, DOE, regulatory agencies, and external organizations on complex waste management initiatives.
  • Identify emerging technical, regulatory, and operational risks and develop long-term strategies that position the Special Projects Program for continued mission success.

Qualifications
  • Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
  • Advanced knowledge of regulations related to hazardous and/or radioactive waste management, wastewater management, or operations in nuclear or other high-hazard facilities.
  • Significant technical experience in radioactive or hazardous waste management, including operating a Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF), waste treatment, process engineering, characterization, packaging, handling, and transport.
  • Advanced knowledge of ES&H, quality assurance, security, technical, and related requirements needed to provide technical leadership.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex technical programs involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant organizational impact.
  • Experience developing strategic plans, establishing organizational priorities, and managing complex project portfolios.
  • Expert verbal and written communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and collaboration skills needed to review and evaluate documents, present technical information, and advise management, technical staff, DOE, and other external agencies.

Additional qualifications at the TSL.5 level
  • Expert knowledge of and experience with state-of-the-art waste management technologies.
  • Ability to resolve highly complex, unusual, and sensitive issues through innovative problem solving, sound judgment, and effective negotiation.
  • Ability to lead and champion large, complex, high-visibility projects in support of the Program mission.

Qualifications We Desire
  • Experience with DOE waste management programs.
  • Advanced experience with RCRA, DTSC, DOE, and/or DOT requirements.

Pay Range

$200,760 - $305,544 Annually

$200,760 - $254,544 Annually for the TSL.4 level

$240,960 - $305,544 Annually for the TSL.5 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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