Associate Laboratory Director, NBTCC (#1819)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Serves as a member of the NBACC Leadership Team with leadership and management accountability for strategic direction and execution of one of the NBACC programmatic/scientific Centers (National Biological Threat Characterization Center). The Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) oversees the entire research portfolio in their Center, and works with USG sponsors to develop and execute a strategy for NBTCC that is consistent with its central position within the United States' biodefense enterprise. The ALD is expected to be a national-level contributor to biodefense and to maintain effective interactions with U.S. government stakeholders including DHS, Defense, Justice, and Health and Human Services, with the Intelligence Community, and with technical experts in industry, academia, and the U.S. government.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Requires an MD, PhD, and/or DVM (or equivalent), as well as 15 years of work experience related to biodefense.
* Must have experience leading multidisciplinary applied science projects and teams with a demonstrated track record of success including utilization of partnerships and collaborations.
* Must demonstrate outstanding communications skills (written and verbal) and a track record of maintaining positive "customer" relations (both internal and external to the organization).
* Working knowledge and/or experience with government agencies with responsibilities in biodefense (e.g. awareness, preparedness, response, attribution, return to normal operations).
* Experience working in and managing biocontainment safety level 3 and/or 4 laboratories.
* Flexibility in approach and ability to work effectively on teams in a project based environment.
* A favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) security risk assessment is required for access to select agents and to qualify for select agent clearance.
* Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC's management system (e.g., ISO).
* Must be a citizen of the United States, 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 enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) may be required, dependent upon business needs.
* May be required to participate in NBACC's alternative work schedule and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Responsible for and directs the NBTCC Program, overseeing all operations of the Center to ensure the highest level of scientific support for DHS and external sponsors.
* Actively participates in the recruitment and development of high-quality staff. Leads the development and mentoring of staff members, empowering, providing opportunities, and targeting retention for high performing / high potential staff.
* Develops the strategic direction and requirements for and leads the execution of science-based programs to support countering current and evolving biological threats.
* Develops and maintains explicit linkages between NBACC programs and national priorities.
* Ensures work performed is of high quality and effectively communicates the impact of the program on accomplishing NBACC strategic goals and addressing national priorities for biological threat preparedness and response.
* Maintains an awareness of scientific and programmatically-relevant trends.
* Establishes and maintains, as a national resource, the applied science competencies to support their Center including laboratory capabilities and processes needed for high quality analyses/documentation, and timely and effective communications to relevant stakeholders.
* Acquires new business which aligns with NBACC Strategy and competencies through a Work For Others capture strategy involving engagement with potential sponsors within the USG.
* Provides line management for assigned scientific and other functional areas at NBACC (e.g., Bacteriology, Virology, Comparative Medicine, Aerobiology).
* Establishes yearly performance objectives for staff, conducts annual reviews, provides regular feedback on performance, fosters a learning culture, and implements/manages corrective actions for under-performing staff when required.
* Coordinates and integrates with other scientific and management activities within NBACC.
* Actively engages and is available to participate as a Leadership Team member within NBACC and in support of the Laboratory Director in the establishment of institutional priorities, coordination of resources, management of programs and projects, and development of NBACC staff.
* Participates in and supports institution-wide activities in quality, project management, strategic planning, annual planning, and multi-year performance improvement.
* Ensures that all program activities are conducted in a manner that is safe, secure, compliant, and are appropriately resourced to maintain full compliance with relevant regulations and NBACC guidelines, policies, and procedures, including appropriate protection of sensitive and classified information, compliance with the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention, and adherence to regulations for recombinant DNA, animal care and use, and select agents. Personal attitude and behavior are expected to be an exemplar for all staff members in these areas, and to demonstrate a track record of performance excellence.
* Effectively manages program budget and schedule, ensuring all program activities are appropriately resourced, variances are identified and effectively communicated, and lessons learned/corrective actions are identified and implemented for significant variances.
* Participate in at least one significant BNBI-aligned community outreach activity in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, preferably in a leadership role.
* Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
* Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
* Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
* Maintains appropriate records.
* Performs other assigned duties.

BNBI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.