Posting Title

Group Manager - Wind Energy Risk Mitigation

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Location

CO - Boulder

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

NREL’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NREL’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an energy future that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. With locations in Golden, Boulder, and Washington D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States. The NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation’s energy and environmental goals.

NREL’s National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) conducts world-class research in the areas of wind energy and energy integration. NREL has an opening for one full-time Technical Manager for the Wind Energy Risk Mitigation Research Group at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). As a group manager, the individual will directly manage approximately 20 researchers and project managers. Members of this group are project and technical experts supporting land-based, distributed, and offshore wind energy, microgrid technology, on-site assessments, technology validation, project leadership, and report publication.

To decarbonize the U.S. economy, rather than just the power sector, renewable energy technologies such as wind energy need to expand significantly. However, this needed growth cannot be accompanied by a corresponding increase in environmental and wildlife impacts. Better understanding of interactions and successful mitigation strategies with birds, bats, and marine life are crucial to the future success of wind energy.

Staff within the group support and lead integrated research programs with other researchers throughout NREL, other national laboratories, academia, and industry to achieve a better fundamental understanding of environmental and wildlife impacts and to demonstrate environmental mitigation strategies. The Group Manager will directly manage approximately 20 researchers and project managers and this management role is expected to account for 35% of the individual’s time. The balance of the individual’s time shall be to perform and lead technical and analytic research in support of the goals of the Group, the Center, and the Laboratory.

This group manager will work with other staff to develop and implement a strategic vision and position the group for growth. This individual will coordinate with internal and external groups to develop new opportunities while mentoring staff, supporting their career growth, and performing other management duties such as staff planning and performance feedback.

The position involves collaboration with NREL management, project PIs, the DOE Wind Energy Technology Office as well as other fedreal offices. Accordingly, the manager will build new competencies to attract new research and development opportunities at NREL. Partnering with the appropriate platform leads, this individual will work to maintain and build client and partner relationships that increase the impact of the research. The manager will lead or support the response to DOE or other competitively selected opportunities.

As a researcher, the individual will provide scientific and organizational leadership and review of multiple projects. The individual shall initiate, lead, and serve as a contributor on one or more complex projects with high impact and visibility.

The manager will:

• Work one-on-one and in group settings with staff to aid in planning and defining work, prioritizing, reviewing, interpreting and administering policies, procedures, processes and systems affecting the work of the Group.

• Oversee and guide technical work, resources and projects in the Group. The group manager will provide input to the Center and laboratory for development of strategic plans.

• Mentor staff in professional development for publishing, external engagement, and international leadership

• Work with NWTC’s Leadership Team, NREL Lab Program Managers, Platform Leads, and Business Development team leads to strategically position the Group to grow in terms of funding, expertise, and impact

• Mentor staff in NREL’s processes, procedures, and culture. Help staff to access resources throughout the lab

• Lead annual performance reviews

• Engage directly with internal and external clients.

• Recruit and hire new employees, ensuring safety and other training requirements are planned, explained, and met

• Work with human resources and other NREL managers should disciplinary measures arise

• Lead a portfolio of complex technical work with high impact and visibility which requires the regular use of ingenuity and innovation.

• Publish reports for the DOE, NREL, and in scientific journals and present finding at national and international meetings/conferences.

• Lead or support complex scientific and project management activities.

• Perform feasibility analyses of proposed mitigation technologies to assess innovative design concepts and perform value engineering including risk assessment.

• Represent the Department of Energy national laboratories at domestic and international forums (e.g., International Energy Agency).

• Develop and give presentations on project progress to sponsors and reviewers, write project plans, and regular project reports.

• Support the growth of the Wind Energy Risk Mitigation Research Group through proposals, strategic investments, and business development.

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Basic Qualifications

Relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience . Or, relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Significant success in an individual contributor research role

• Excellent organization, project management, budgeting, interpersonal, and communication skills

• Demonstrated communication skills including experience and ability to communicate research results through written papers and oral presentations, the ability to effectively represent a program, and the ability to present research work to academic, industry, and governmental audiences

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a large dynamic team environment with evolving requirements and schedules

• Leadership skills, including budget development and demonstrated ability to successfully lead projects and/or programs toward ambitious goals

• Ability to engage in domestic and occasional foreign travel

• Familiarity with and commitment to security, safety, and ES&H systems

• This position requires an onsite hybrid work arrangement and is not open to remote applicants.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Science, or similar applicable field

• Research experience in wind energy

• Research experience in environmental and/or wildlife impact of wind energy systems

• Successful experience with DOE/EERE applied energy programs

• Successful experience proposing and leading new research initiatives

• Collaboration experience with universities and other national laboratories

• Budget and personnel management experience

• Experience mentoring early-career researchers

• Membership in international collaborative bodies

• Familiarity with NREL security and safety requirements

• Familiarity with NREL procedures and processes

• Strong technical publication record

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Group Manager II / Annual Salary Range: $114,500 - $206,100

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

EEO is the Law (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_English_unformattedESQA508c.pdf) | Reasonable Accommodations (http://www.nrel.gov/careers/employment-policies.html)

E -Verify www.dhs.gov/E-Verify For information about right to work, click here (http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf) for English or here (http://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/download) for Spanish.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/hiring-process.html) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (https://www.nrel.gov/about/) , visit our Careers site (https://www.nrel.gov/careers/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (https://nrel.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/NREL) at the lab.