Department of Energy

Associate Director, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences

Germantown, Maryland Full time

Associate Director, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences

Department: Department of Energy

Location(s): Germantown, Maryland

Salary Range: $199172 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science has a mission to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. Office of Science is the nation's largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and are a major supporter of research in such key scientific fields as physics, materials science, computing, and chemistry.

Major Duties:

  • As the Associate Director, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, you will: Serve as an international expert in the areas of research and the scientific user facilities supported by the Office's program. Formulate, direct, implement, administer, evaluate, and defend programs and policies necessary for the efficient implementation of a complex, comprehensive program in fusion energy sciences research. Develop the budget requirements for activities at national laboratories, universities, and other research institutions. Integrate the efforts of the program elements, particularly the elements that support research with those that support the design, construction, and operations of instrumentation and the scientific user facilities. Develop and maintain working relationships with the DOE Site Office Managers, the Oak Ridge Office and Chicago Office Managers, and other Field Managers responsible for national laboratories performing program-sponsored research in order to ensure integration of the Office's science programs with laboratory operations. Maintain regular contact with the head of the organization and other senior level managers; maintains frequent contact with assistant secretaries, office directors and their representatives, counterparts in other Federal agencies, Congressional leaders, DOE field offices, contractors, university, and other research groups including foreign institutions.

Qualifications: 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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrated capabilities in scientific and technical leadership and in the management of innovative research programs, scientific facilities, and national and international collaborations in the area of fusion energy sciences. TQ 2: Demonstrated capabilities in formulating, developing, and executing overall policies, program emphasis, strategic planning with the application of extensive scientific knowledge, breadth of insight, and technical expertise in fusion energy sciences. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a 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 - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-11