Group Leader, Environmental and Restoration Management

Requisition Id16134

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a senior leader to guide our biodiversity and biogeochemical research within the Environmental Sciences Division (ESD). ESD is an interdisciplinary research and development organization with more than 75 years of achievement in local, regional, national, and international environmental research. Our vision is to expand scientific knowledge and develop innovative strategies and technologies that strengthen the nation's leadership in sustaining Earth's natural resources. Our R&D staff conduct research, develop technology, and perform analyses to understand and assess the responses of environmental systems at the human-environment interface, as well as the consequences of alternative energy and environmental strategies.

This leadership role will serve as Group Leader for the newly structured Environmental and Restoration Management Group. Researchers in this group advance ecologically grounded strategies for managing, restoring, and sustaining environmental systems affected by energy production and resource use. The group also applies ecological science to guide environmental management and restoration in energy-impacted landscapes, and those impacted by Department of Energy activities.

This group focuses on the application of ecological science to environmental and restoration management challenges associated with energy development and infrastructure. Research emphasizes understanding ecosystem structure and function to guide effective management interventions, with particular attention to biodiversity conservation, water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and ecosystem service recovery.

The group integrates ecological theory with field-based experimentation and monitoring to evaluate management actions and restoration outcomes across terrestrial and aquatic systems. Emphasis is placed on adaptive management, resilience, and long-term ecosystem sustainability under changing environmental and energy demands. Outcomes are designed to directly support land and water resource managers by providing scientifically defensible guidance, restoration frameworks, and performance metrics that promote environmental recovery while accommodating energy production.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead world-class research by initiating and conducting independent R&D; ensure that engineers, scientists, and analysts are recognized leaders in their technical domains.
• Develop and implement a cohesive group vision and strategy for long-term growth; pursue new opportunities and expand existing programs.
• Serve as the immediate supervisor and build a high-performing, diverse team; attract, hire, and retain staff committed to world-class R&D.
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff; set performance goals aligned with group strategy and career objectives; provide timely feedback; sponsor staff for advancement; and offer input to the Section Head and Division Director on staff development.
• Represent ORNL's research capabilities to sponsors and external stakeholders; establish collaborations; take on leadership roles in professional societies; and connect staff to scientific and technical networks.
• Ensure safe, effective, and compliant operations; hold staff accountable for performance; lead regular technical group meetings; and review and certify the technical quality of proposals, publications, data and software releases, and other products.

• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Requires a Ph.D. with a minimum of 6 years relevant experience, a M.S. with a minimum of 12 years relevant experience, or a B.S. with 15 years relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program offices and aligning work with their strategic priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Established record of high-impact publications and recognized expertise in aquatic ecology research.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program offices and aligning work with their strategic priorities.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced operations environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs to achieve operational excellence.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:
For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL 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 mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. DOE Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.