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.
Summary
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 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.
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.
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. You must submit a separate document addressing each of the five ECQs by-number and separate document addressing each of the four MTQs by-number. Failure to submit these documents will result in an ineligible determination. You must be thorough in addressing the ECQs and MTQs. A response stating only that you do not have experience with a particular qualification will not be considered as addressing the subject ECQ and/or MTQ and will result in an ineligible determination. Conclusory statements will receive little or no weight in the evaluation of ECQs and MTQs. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to OPM for review and certification by the QRB through a Structured Interview process, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/18/2026.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
A RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) with no less than 10-point font and no less than 1- inch margins all around, showing all relevant experience. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
All applicants must submit narrative responses addressing each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ).
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 provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility or
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.
Applicants who fail to submit requested documents WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Your application will result in an "Incomplete" rating.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Note: Please ensure your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name, position title, grade level held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.
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.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
2300 Clarendon Blvd
Suite 1300
Arlington, VA 22201-3367
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/18/2026.
A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
A RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) with no less than 10-point font and no less than 1- inch margins all around, showing all relevant experience. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
All applicants must submit narrative responses addressing each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ).
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 provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility or
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.
Applicants who fail to submit requested documents WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Your application will result in an "Incomplete" rating.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
Note: Please ensure your resume contains your full name, address, phone number, email address, and employment information. Each position listed on your resume must include: From/To dates of employment (MM/YYYY-MM/YYYY or MM/YYYY to Present); agency/employer name, position title, grade level held, if applicable; hours, if less than full time; and duties performed. In addition, any experience on less than a full time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties.
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.
Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
Select documents you want included in this application.
Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
Select if you want to include your demographic information.
After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
Review and Submit Application.
While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
2300 Clarendon Blvd
Suite 1300
Arlington, VA 22201-3367
US
Next steps
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
