Nuclear Security Engagement Associate

ORNL’s Nuclear Nonproliferation Division (NND) seeks a Nuclear Security Engagement Associate to support U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) missions related to the safe and secure transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials. The role involves critical thinking, technical analysis, program coordination, and project management to address complex transportation security challenges.

About the role

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Division performs scientific, technical, and programmatic activities in nuclear materials processing, nuclear safeguards and security, security program management, and transportation security of radioactive materials. The successful candidate will support domestic and international transportation security activities, contributing to transportation planning, security analysis, program implementation, technical coordination, and solution development.

ORNL drives technical scope for federal sponsors to reduce the risk of nuclear and radiological terrorism globally, collaborating with international organizations, government agencies, associations, industry, and academia.

Responsibilities

• Support planning efforts for the safe and secure transportation of used nuclear fuel, high-level radioactive waste, and other radioactive materials to and from DOE and other Federal nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
• Support national-level communications and stakeholder outreach related to national programs for transporting, storing, reprocessing, and disposing of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
• Develop innovative, trust-building approaches for engaging domestic transportation partners, including NGOs, Tribal and State representatives, industry organizations, academic institutions, and Federal agencies.
• Support environmental impact analysis for transportation, storage, reprocessing, and disposal of used nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials, ensuring compliance with DOE safety and security requirements.
• Organize and support stakeholder and public-facing events related to national used nuclear fuel transportation, storage, reprocessing, and disposal efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across ORNL scientific directorates and service divisions to cultivate relationships and expand program goals.
• Support innovative scientific communications and planning for DOE’s domestic efforts to safely and securely transport and manage used nuclear fuel and radioactive materials.
• Provide direct assistance for milestone and DOE-required reporting using internal ORNL systems and sponsor-specific management applications.
• Create and deliver high-quality technical and outreach materials, including reports, videos, newsletters, articles, announcements, and visual content tailored to technical and public audiences.
• Support planning and program implementation activities advancing the safe and secure transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials for DOE and NNSA missions.
• Conduct technical and programmatic analyses related to nuclear and radioactive material transportation security, including transportation operations, safety, security, risk, and applicable federal requirements.
• Coordinate transportation security activities with DOE, NNSA, other federal agencies, national laboratories, State and Tribal organizations, industry, academia, and domestic and international partners.
• Support the development and implementation of transportation security strategies, plans, procedures, and technical approaches.
• Assist with the planning and execution of transportation security exercises, workshops, technical exchanges, meetings, and other program activities.
• Evaluate transportation security challenges and develop practical approaches integrating technical, operational, policy, safety, and security considerations.
• Support technical assessments associated with the transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials.
• Manage small projects, including scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, and coordination with project team members.
• Support vendor activities, including development of statements of work and monitoring contractor performance.
• Develop high-quality technical reports, assessments, project documentation, briefings, and decision-support materials supporting transportation security programs.
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings and presentations to DOE, NNSA, ORNL, and partner organizations.

Requirements

• BS in environmental science, public policy, security studies, transportation or logistics, engineering, physical science, or a related technical or policy discipline and two (2) years of relevant experience supporting nuclear or radioactive material transportation, nuclear security, transportation security, or related programs.
• Experience applying interdisciplinary technical, operational, policy, and programmatic approaches to nuclear security, transportation security, or related national security missions.
• Familiarity with DOE Orders and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations related to nuclear materials storage and transportation and Tribal policy.
• Experience planning or supporting nuclear or radioactive material transportation activities involving federal, State, Tribal, national laboratory, industry, or other partner organizations.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including coordinating scope, schedule, milestones, deliverables, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent time-management, interpersonal, communication, presentation, organization, and planning skills for multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Ability to coordinate effectively across governmental, national laboratory, academic, Tribal, industry, and other partner organizations.
• Reliable, self-motivated, and focused on innovative, high-quality work products and processes.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to build positive working relationships that position ORNL to expand transportation security and nuclear security activities for sponsors within the National Security Sciences Directorate.
• Experience communicating complex technical concepts, particularly controversial ones, to multiple audiences with varying levels of understanding.
• Project Management training or certifications.
• Ability to identify underlying motivations and goals of diverse partners and connect those groups to support common goals.

Special Requirements

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge; a Real ID-compliant form of identification is required.
• Must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation, including a declaration of illegal drug activities (including marijuana, regardless of state laws) within the last year.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and Contributory Pension Plan.
• Life Insurance and Disability Benefits.
• Generous vacation, holidays, and parental leave.
• Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection and Employee Assistance Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
• Wellness Programs and Educational Assistance.
• Relocation Assistance and Employee Discounts.
• On-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities.