Executive Director (SES)

Nuclear Waste Technical Review BoardArlington, VA

Posted March 4, 2026$150,000–$200,000

Description

Summary

This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position. The Executive Director serves as the Board's Chief Operating Officer, overseeing and coordinating all technical and administrative activities in accordance with Board plans, policies, and directives from the Administration. The Executive Director reports to the Chair of the NWTRB, maintains close contact with other Board members, and provides guidance on resource management and the planning of technical activities.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Consistent with the enabling legislation of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board (NWTRB or Board), the Executive Director (ED) directs and coordinates all technical and administrative activities of the agency that are undertaken in response to overall policies developed and approved by the members of the NWTRB. The incumbent has full responsibility for managing the Board's activities and the Board staff, which operate with a high degree of independence in a collaborative work environment.

More specifically, the incumbent reports directly to, and is supervised by, the Chair of the NWTRB. In that reporting capacity, the ED is responsible on a day-to-day basis for managing the Board's technical activities, developing budgets, planning and managing Board meetings and fact-finding trips throughout the year, and implementing all dimensions of the Board's strategic plan.

The incumbent maintains close contact with the members of the Board and liaises with members and subcommittees of Congress and their staffs, Department of Energy officials in the Secretary's office and other offices related to the management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, as well as the Office of Management and Budget, other federal agencies and other external stakeholders.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Veterans' preference does not apply to this position. 5 USC 2108(3), which defines "preference eligible," indicates this does not include applicants for, or members of, the Senior Executive Service.
Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
Completion of a background investigation and drug screening is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret clearance.
A one-year trial/probationary period is required.
You will be required to complete ethics orientation within three months of appointment and to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications.

Education and Experience

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Executive Director position, you must meet the following Executive Core Qualifications and Mandatory Technical Qualifications:

Executive Core Qualifications: Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must submit narrative responses addressing each of the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). Current or former SES members must submit an SF-50 and/or QRB Certification of ECQs to show current or former service in the SES. OPM's Guide to the Senior Executive Services Qualifications provides detailed information on the ECQs.

ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING. Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY. Demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE. Demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals; To drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture.
ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS. Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to state goals from superiors.

-AND-

Mandatory Technical Qualifications: All applicants must submit narrative responses addressing each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ).

MTQ 1: Broad technical knowledge of and several years of applicable experience in a field of engineering or science. Such knowledge and experience are required to understand the Board's technical review activities and their results.
MTQ 2: Broad knowledge of technical and policy issues related to the disposal of commercial spent fuel and high-level waste to effectively plan and implement any Board-approved activities. Ability to foster and maintain a collaborative and productive work environment without creating bureaucracy.
MTQ 3: Ability to independently and objectively evaluate DOE activities related to the management of commercial spent fuel and high-level waste, to think strategically, and to understand the technical and non-technical implications of the Board's activities and its conclusions and recommendations for DOE specifically and for the management of nuclear waste in general.
MTQ 4: Broad knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other Federal agencies, especially the Office of Management and Budget; state and local governments; and international organizations. Broad knowledge of Congress and its organization and operation. Broad knowledge and understanding of other public and private organizations (e.g., National Academy of Sciences) that are involved in radioactive waste management. Broad knowledge of budgeting processes.

Note: Applicants who have completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and have had their ECQs certified by OPM must provide a copy of their certificate as part of their application. Candidates must still satisfy the MTQs of the position.

Applicants must submit the ECQs and MTQs in separate documents: one addressing each of the five ECQs (by number), if applicable, and another addressing each of the four MTQs (by number). Refer to the "How You Will Be Evaluated" and "Required Documents" sections for details.

We recommend that you emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs managed, and your program accomplishments, including the results of your actions. You will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required of the position and to the extent your application demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the Executive Director position. Please be sure to give concrete examples of your experience and demonstrate the complexity of the knowledge you possess.

Position Link

View Position Web Page

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/18/2026. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

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