Board Director - Laboratory Assessments Board

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Keck Center

National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine

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Full time

Overview: REQ:&nbsp;R0001293<br /><br />Responsible for the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the work of the Laboratory Assessments Board (LAB). The LAB oversees reviews of the the technical quality of the work and staff at federal laboratories, as well as the adequacy of resources at those laboratories. <br /><br />The incumbent oversees and contributes to the establishment of multiple panels and committees, planning for multiple technical meetings each year (most off-site), and development of multiple Academies reports each year. The board director is responsible for satisfying contract requirements from each sponsor and maintaining relations with those sponsors. The director also works to broaden the LAB program. <br /><br />The LAB director manages a staff of approximately 4 FTEs, including both Senior Program Officers and administrative personnel. The director must be eligible for a security clearance and able to travel.<br /><br />The mission of the Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS) is to provide independent and authoritative science, technology, engineering and related policy advice to the federal government and to the nation and to promote communications between the science and technology community, the federal government, and the interested public.<br /><br />DEPS seeks to assess the role of science and technology in important public policy issues and to advance science and engineering, identifying needed research as well as improvements in data and research methods. In these ways, it fosters better science and technology and their use to support decisions on public policies and programs.<br /><br />DEPS&rsquo; work is organized around four broad areas:<br /> <ul> <li>Unique government missions in defense, space, aerospace, and national security</li> <li>National infrastructure challenges such as energy and environmental systems, information and telecommunications, manufacturing and engineering design, civil engineering, and the constructed environment</li> <li>Science and engineering disciplines such as physics, astronomy, computer science and engineering, materials science and engineering, and the mathematical sciences and their applications.</li> <li>Continuing assessments of federal government laboratories and research programs.</li> </ul> <br />The Laboratory Assessments Board (LAB) oversees National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine activities involving review and assessment of the technical quality of internal research conducted at laboratories. This includes those laboratories established by federal agencies at national laboratories and at government-owned, contractor-operated facilities, but may include others as well. Assessments are performed by National Academies committees appointed under the auspices of the board and established separately for each institution or laboratory.<br /><br />The LAB performs the following functions, which will help to coordinate and assure the quality of the assessment processes and increase the confidence that the assessments meet the needs of the sponsoring agencies: support the preparation of responsive proposals; interact with sponsor representatives to help formulate project and task descriptions; assist with the recruitment of appropriate panel/committee members and report reviewers; participate in the quality assurance for assessments; and serve as liaison with other National Academies committees and boards.
Responsibilities: <ul> <li>In consultation with pro bono committee and board chairs and members, develops and maintains a balanced, high-quality portfolio of projects. Establishes a vision and working strategy for studies and activities conducted within the board. Guides the LAB in the development of best practices in the assessment of research and development organizations and the tailoring of best practices to the special needs of different sponsors.</li> <li>Plans, conducts, and directs work on projects. Oversees the management of projects including the assembling of board, committees, and panels and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work. Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and disciplinary actions.</li> <li>Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers. Sets agenda and oversees meeting arrangements. Oversees quality assurance efforts. Oversees financial management of the unit and is responsible for program development. Responds to requests for studies/projects, negotiating scope of work and budget, and independently develops high-impact programs/projects and negotiates funding with sponsors, preparing proposals and overseeing the management of contracts. Oversees the report process during writing, reports review, and release.</li> <li>Oversees outreach efforts, including dissemination. Represents program/board at internal and external meetings.</li> </ul> <br />NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES<br />Related duties and special projects as assigned.
Requirements: <p dir="LTR"><strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</strong> Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect substantial variety and complexity. Basic understanding of R&amp;D management and of good practices for assessing R&amp;D quality. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to negotiate funding. Ability to train and develop staff. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies&rsquo; departments through effective communication. Excellent communication skills, especially writing abilities.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Minimum Education/Training Requirements: </strong>Ph.D. in a field of science or engineering or equivalent knowledge.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Minimum Experience: </strong>Ten years of related professional experience, five of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies&rsquo; activities or equivalent outside activities and through effective dissemination of these activities.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Physical Capabilities: </strong>Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel. Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: Candidates must have or be willing to apply for a DoD secret level security clearance.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Supervisory <span class="WLM2">Responsibilities/Controls:</span> </strong>Reports to Executive Director. Independently establishes goals and objectives. Supervises board/program staff.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Work Environment: </strong>Office environment, with travel between National Academies&rsquo; facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.</p>