Longenecker & Associates (L&A) seeks an experienced, visionary leader to serve as Contractor Assurance Director to drive our continued success at Fermilab National Accelerator Facility (FNAL), Illinois supporting our mission to deliver pioneering particle physics research. 

L&A is a woman-owned small business and trusted partner enabling critical missions across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex for more than 30 years. We contribute to DOE’s nuclear security and environmental remediation enterprise by providing the highest-caliber staff and experts.

L&A is unconditionally committed to mission success and the well-being of employees, the nation and the environment. Our team members are passionate about building a healthier environment for generations to come. We are a community that interfaces and effectively communicates with all levels of management and government. If you have a passion for excellence, seek opportunities to engage in mission critical work, and consistently exceed expectations, apply now to join our professional family.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Apply strategic insight, operational excellence, and innovative customer focused solutions to deliver compliant, effective, and continuously improving Quality Assurance and Contractor Assurance Programs promoting mission success and sustaining a high performing learning organization. 

Under direction of FNAL office of the Director, this position will mentor, manage, and coordinate Quality Assurance and Contractor Assurance leaders and team members to deliver high quality oversight, innovative support, outcome focused deliverables and proactive assurance across a broad range of operational activities. 

Sustained success requires expert level understanding of the requirements and experience to effectively implement Department of Energy (DOE) Quality Assurance Program and DOE Oversight Policy,  especially as they apply to Office of Science laboratories.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (include, but are not limited to) 

Leadership:

• Fosters a mutually respectful work environment that effectively leverages team member capabilities, promotes professional growth, and is free from discrimination and harassment,
• Hires, develops, retains, and manages the Contractor Assurance team, ensuring staff are trained and qualified to execute responsibilities in accordance with FNAL requirements, 
• Works closely with the Lab Directorate and Associate Lab Directors to develop strategies and priorities through implementation of innovative, requirements-based improvements, ensuring solutions engage stakeholders and meet FNAL mission needs,
• Effectively and collaboratively communicates across all levels of FNAL,
• Leads implementation/execution of L&A subcontract with FNAL,
• Works with FNAL Procurement and L&A Program Manager to develop and execute L&A subcontract scope,
• Manages the team within the authorized budget and assist coordination of temporary support staff to FNAL as needed,
• Provides regular status to L&A senior managers and participates in regular (monthly) L&A project calls.

Programmatic:

• Maintains the compliance and continually improve the effective implementation of the FNAL Contractor Assurance Program:
• In accordance with the FNAL contractual requirements and applicable Orders (including DOE O 226.1B DOE Oversight Policy, and DOE O 232.2A Occurrence Reporting)
• Provides timely and accurate information to LLC management and DOE Oversight that work is being performed safely, securely and in compliance with all requirements
• Expands the use of performance indicators, metrics and measures to analyze trends and develop actions to drive continuous improvement
• Maximizes assurance system effectiveness (including QA Audits and surveillances, management assessments, independent assessments and external assessments)
• Continually improve Issues Management system that captures program and performance deficiencies, ensures timely reporting, timely investigations using Apparent or Root Cause techniques, identifies compensatory and corrective actions to prevent recurrence, and performs effectiveness reviews
• Closes the feedback and improvement loop using information from all lab opportunities and DOE Opex Shares to integrate into the FNAL Lessons Learned program
• Maintains the compliance and improve the effective implementation of the FNAL Quality Assurance Program:
• In accordance with FNAL contractual requirements and applicable codes and standards (including DOE O 414.D, Quality Assurance, ASME NQA-1, Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear Facility Application)
• Provides a Quality Assurance Program and associated procedures that are understood by individuals and implementable across the scope of FNAL work
• Provides verification of quality achievement through independent oversight of FNAL programs, procedures and processes (including identification of issues, prevention of installation /use of items, correction of issues, verification of solutions and continuous improvement activities)
• Leverages a team of Quality Assurance expertise focused on supply chain, field/operations support, oversight activities and program management

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science or a related discipline 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Fifteen years of quality program experience (preferably with Department of Energy programs, highly preferred Office of Science management experience)
• Ten years QA/CAS related Program and/or Manager experience in comparable organization and complex scope
• Detailed understanding and knowledge of DOE Order 414.1D and 226.1 and applicable DOE QA policies and requirements.
• Experience/knowledge of large DOE line-item projects and associated technical concerns.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a diverse staff
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact constructively with all levels of FNAL management, subject matter experts and external agencies.
• Proven analytical skills to perform assessments and identify and evaluate quality-affecting issues and risks that could impede FNAL from meeting mission objectives and requirements.
• Apparent and Root Cause analysis experience, Lean and or Six Sigma Experience is desirable
• Ability to use independent judgment for determining course of action
• Skill and ability to independently develop and administer schedules and assessment requirements, and to integrate them into systems.
• Ability to lead and support audit and inspection efforts throughout FNAL to identify and assess quality issues, deficiencies and potential non-compliances.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Ability to work in a diverse work environment.
• Satisfactory results of a pre-employment screening, which includes a background check and drug screening in accordance with Federal requirements (details below),
• Ability to fulfill and promote L&A core values.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience at a National Laboratory.

LOCATION

Batavia, Illinois – this position is 100% onsite.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Successful candidates will be able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation. This job posting reflects management’s assignment of essential functions and the descriptions listed do not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Please note that marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under Federal Law. Federal contractors must follow Federal drug-free workplace rules, which prohibit marijuana use, even if medical or recreational use is permitted under State Law.   

SALARY AND BENEFITS

As an L&A employee, you will be eligible for a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare (medical and dental), 401K plan, and paid time off. We believe in investing in our employees beyond compensation and as an L&A employee, you will have access to in-house training, career pathing, mentoring, award programs, tuition reimbursement and much more.

L&A is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran.