Deputy Director, NBFAC (#1877)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a one-of-a-kind facility located on Fort Detrick in Frederick MD and is dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Its work supports DHS and National biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization and bioforensic analyses. It is the first national laboratory created by DHS in response to biodefense gaps identified following the Amerithrax attacks of 2001 and has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006. Since its inception, NBACC and its staff have filled critical shortfalls in our scientific knowledge of biological agents needed to protect the public and defend the Nation from biological threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate and provided federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and protection of the US bioeconomy.

NBACC includes two centers: the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC), which conducts the technical analyses in support of federal law enforcement investigations, and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), which conducts experiments and studies to obtain data required for a better understanding of biological vulnerabilities and hazards. Together these centers offer a unique national resource for understanding the risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies to inform biodefense policy and response planning and the operational capability to support the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Supports programmatic, administrative, and technical functions and activities for the NBFAC and serves as the Acting Director, NBFAC, in the absence of the NBFAC Associate Laboratory Director (ALD). Responsibilities also include the execution, oversight and management of bioforensic casework and capability expansion to include training, regulatory compliance and safe operations to meet DHS and customer requirements.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline or engineering, and a minimum of 12 years of related experience and exceptional performance.
• Creates formal networks with key national science and policy decision makers.
• Proficiency and clarity of oral and written communications are essential.
• Exemplary organizational skills with a proven track record of working effectively both independently and as a team player.
• Knowledge or experience with biocontainment facilities and procedures, laboratory safety, biosurety, and decontamination is desirable.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities and work in accordance with NBACC's management system (e.g., ISO).
• Must be a citizen of the United States, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top secret clearance, suitability for DHS, and a favorable adjudication of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for select agent access.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program and enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• May be required to participate in NBACC's alternative work and/or on-call schedule, dependent upon business needs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides senior representation and leadership, directing and coordinating the activities of the NBFAC program with senior BNBI leadership, FBI, Homeland Security, and intelligence community representatives, under the authority of the NBFAC ALD.
• Participates in strategic planning including the development of annual program execution plans, budget, and programmatic implementation plans, as well as management of laboratory staff.
• Prepares and reviews DHS taskings, proposals, reports, and presentations in support of the NBFAC ALD.
• Supports the direction and management of NBFAC Casework, Bioforensic Capability Expansion as well as maintenance and expansion of the NBFAC ISO 17025 Quality Management Program (QMS). Monitors NBFAC projects' scope, schedules and costs.
• Oversees the operations of the NBFAC Laboratories to ensure the highest level of analytical support for ongoing and future casework and Bioforensic Capability expansion.
• Supports expansion and maintenance of ISO 17025 accreditation and casework execution including bacterial and viral culture, protein and toxin identification, real-time PCR, sequencing, bioinformatics, and microscopy. Generates sample analysis plans, reviews laboratory results, issues casework reports, gives opinions and interpretation of results, and authorizes work and use of equipment as required in the absence of the Genomics and Bioinformatics, Microscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Bacteriology, and Virology/Immunology Managers.
• Provides leadership to technical staff and creates a culture of respect, scientific inquiry, and high-quality work. Provides support to staff which includes goal setting, supervision and evaluations for Principal Investigators and Technical Staff who support bioforensic casework.
• Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangible variables and may impact future concepts, products or technology.
• Exercises latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments, while leading the institution strategically with national influence.
• Requires expert knowledge of scientific principles and concepts, with a reputation as a national leader in their field, with sustained performance and accomplishment.
• Applies science competencies to support laboratory capabilities and processes needed for high-quality analyses/documentation.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new technologies and protocols including writing and updating NBACC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions and forms to improve NBACC's ability to serve its customers.
• Identifies departures from the Quality Management System (QMS) and initiates actions to investigate and prevent such occurrences.
• Ensures competence of staff to operate specific equipment or perform tests and issues Authorizations.
• Provides analysis, opinions and interpretation, and issues reports.
• Develops, optimizes and validates new or modified methods and procedures for identifying biological threat agents.
• Prepares necessary SOPs, work instructions and other materials required to maintain the QMS under the ISO 17025 Standard.
• Maintains and evaluates records of analysis and reviews laboratory results, plans and reports.
• Ensures that equipment, reagents and supplies are maintained and used properly.
• Directs, prioritizes, schedules and provides technical expertise to staff to conduct work.
• Must be a team player, communicate clearly, be open to hearing ideas and suggestions from others, diffuse situations, and exercise empathy and patience with colleagues.
• Must have the ability to multi-task, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks.
• Must be a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintain flexibility, adapt to change in a productive and positive manner, learn new concepts, and utilize critical thinking to resolve complex problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned/authorized.