Research Safety Programs Manager

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems, Communications and Information Technology, and Performance Management.
The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL’s 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio— the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory’s history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.
A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL’s assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.
The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.
The mission of the Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHS&S) Division is to minimize risks, assure compliance with regulatory standards, and promote a culture of safety, health, and environmental stewardship.
EHS&S focuses on reducing environmental impact, promoting employee health, preventing workplace incidents, and safeguarding physical and information security. Core functions include risk assessment, safety training, environmental stewardship, health monitoring, emergency preparedness, and implementing security measures. EHS&S fosters a culture of safety, maintainability, and continuous improvement, ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational resilience.
The Worker Safety and Health Program is seeking a motivated and experienced leader to head our Research Safety team. This is a full-time, on-site position requiring a commitment to a Monday through Friday workweek. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, supporting cutting-edge science and contributing to unique, vital safety programmatic areas. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in supporting cutting-edge science by leading and enhancing our worker safety services program. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a robust safety culture through both leadership and active demonstration.

Requirements

• BS/BA and 10 years work experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 8 years of experience
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship
• Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
• Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
• Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop a technical team.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with DOE Orders and Standards related to safety.
• Expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative hazard analyses, risk assessments, and evaluating activities to mitigate safety hazards.
• Knowledge of contractor assurance activities, including self-assessments, program assessments, metrics, and in-field performance observations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders and present complex information.
• Understanding of assessment methods to include observations, interviews, drills, document reviews, and lines of inquiries.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and foster a culture of open communication and collaboration.
• Knowledge of applicable requirements in common use at DOE (BMBL, CFR, ANSI, NQA-1, IBC, DOE Orders, IRB, etc).
• Experience using the PNNL system Lab Assist.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Research Safety team, encompassing a talented group of specialized safety professionals who support the unique research portfolio elements that PNNL is involved in (LOTO, Biological Safety, HPI, Aquatics, Aviation, Human Subjects, Robotics, Firearms, Explosives, and ISMS).
• Establish and implement programmatic expectations to be deployed in the field, ensuring the highest standards of safety for employees, visitors, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Provide direct technical assistance in identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace and research hazards.
• Establishes expectations for conducting thorough quality reviews, assessments, analysis, and hazard assessments.
• Verifies contractor assurance activities through performance management are complete.
• Approves implementation methods for requirements.
• Interface effectively with staff and management at all levels, as well as external stakeholders, including DOE-PNSO line management and Environmental Safety & Health (EHS&S) staff.
• Develop and Implement Safety Programs: Lead, implement, and assess comprehensive worker safety and health (WS&H) programs.
• Lead and Mentor a High-Performing Team: Provide technical leadership and professional development to a team of specialists, offering coaching, mentorship, and fostering their career growth.
• Hazard Identification and Risk Management: Establish systems and procedures to identify, evaluate, and control workplace hazards, conduct risk assessments, identify appropriate safety directives to be implemented, and recommend mitigation strategies throughout the product lifecycle.
• Analysis and Assessment: Lead and conduct various safety analyses, assessments, and evaluations of system designs, modifications, operations, and procedures to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
• Compliance and Regulatory Affairs: Implement all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, DOE Orders, and Standards.
• Contractor Assurance: Oversee all contractor assurance activities to verify programmatic compliance, effectiveness, and overall health through a variety of tools and methods.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively interface and collaborate with staff and management at all levels, internal and external customers (including DOE-PNSO line management and EHS&S staff), and regulatory bodies.
• Quality Assurance and Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in safety programs and processes by monitoring performance, analyzing metrics, and implementing assurance activities.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
• Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level