Director of Infrastructure Operations (#1914)

Job Description

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a unique facility located at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Established in response to biodefense gaps identified after the Amerithrax attacks of 2001, NBACC has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006.

NBACC supports DHS and national biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization, and bioforensic analyses. It addresses critical scientific knowledge gaps regarding biological agents to protect the public and defend the nation against biological threats - whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. NBACC also provides federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and the protection of the U.S. bioeconomy.

NBACC is comprised of two centers:

• National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC) : Conducts technical analyses to support federal law enforcement investigations.
• National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC) : Conducts experiments and studies to gather data for understanding biological vulnerabilities and hazards.

Together, these centers serve as a national resource for assessing risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies, informing biodefense policy and response planning, and supporting the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interfaces directly with the client to develop annual priorities and objectives for infrastructure related activities. Provides routine status briefings to ensure client awareness of activities.
• Oversees the management of a biosecurity program that includes physical security, agent protection, control and accountability, and personal surety.
• Oversees the management of a health and safety program that includes protocols for medical and public health management of incidents of accidental exposure of workers to toxins or biological agents.
• Oversees the management of a security program that includes information security, physical security, and personnel security.
• Oversees the management of an information technology program that includes infrastructure cybersecurity, system development, help desk support to NBACC staff, and information assurance processes.
• Oversees the management of a facility operations program that includes physical DHS resources in an efficient, effective manner and that provides the necessary facilities for NBACC to complete its mission.
• Oversees the management of the safety management program for all contract work which includes training, risk management, environmental surveillance, and occupational health screening.
• Ensures that biosurety requirements, such as systems engineering and configuration management of structures, systems and components vital to safety, quality assurance and operation of the NBACC facility are addressed.
• Oversees the management of an emergency operations program including emergency preparedness planning and procedures and occurrence notification.
• Manages the environmental safety program and the performance of the NBACC's Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH) function so it performs in an efficient, competitive, and compliant manner.
• Provides high quality technical support to R&D staff and management for ESH programs.
• Ensures projects are conducted in compliance with all applicable regulations, client requirements and policies while ensuring the safety of all staff.
• Oversees the management of NBACC's environmental management, hazardous and radioactive waste programs.
• Oversees the management of NBACC's ESH plans and verifies the effective implementation of applicable programs.
• Ensures that all audits and inspections performed by clients, regulatory agencies and outside auditors and inspectors are managed effectively.
• Supports line management development of corrective actions in timely response to any Notices of Violations (NOVs) and other findings, tracks corrective action implementation to assure closure of NOVs and assures preventive measures are taken to preclude recurrence of NOVs and findings.
• Oversees the management of compliance for all waste management activities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
• Ensures resource availability and sets priorities to meet requirements of the DHS Safety, Health, and Environmental Management System (SHEMS) in the capacity of SHEMS Coordinator.
• Ensures that IO staff are trained and put into daily practice action that align with corporate diversity, inclusion, and equity principles. 
• Exhibits teamwork, clear communication, openness to ideas, and patience with colleagues.
• Demonstrates the ability to multitask, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks in a complex, high containment environment.
• Is a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintaining flexibility, adapting to change productively, learning new concepts, and using critical thinking to resolve complex technical problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned/authorized.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least 14 years of experience, or a Master’s degree in engineering and at least 12 years of experience, in all facets of IO, as well as previous supervisory management experience.

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered as substitution for the specific requirements outlined above.

• Requires a proven track record of building and sustaining effective organizations.
• Possesses excellent communication skills to allow effective interactions at all levels of staff and sponsor representatives.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).

 

SECURITY/ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance and suitability for DHS.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and/or enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) may be required, dependent upon position and/or business needs.
• May be required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work schedule and/or on-call schedule, depending on business needs.