Director for Office of Worker Protection and Nuclear Safety

Open: July 23, 2026 — Closes: August 10, 2026

Summary

Senior leaders: This is your opportunity to make a national impact on safety and security. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environment, Health, Safety, and Security is looking for a dynamic, innovative, seasoned executive to serve as the Director for the Office of Worker Protection and Nuclear Safety. In this role, you will lead the development of policies that protect our workers, the public, and the environment from nuclear and non-nuclear hazards.

Major Duties

As the Director for the Office of Worker Protection and Nuclear Safety, you will hold a pivotal national security role, directing programs and policies that have a profound and lasting impact. You will: Frame National Safety Strategy: Develop and direct the strategic vision for nuclear safety, worker protection, and quality assurance across the entire Department of Energy (DOE) enterprise. Lead and Inspire Experts: Direct a premier organization of senior managers and technical experts, fostering a culture of excellence and ensuring the successful execution of critical safety programs. Serve as a Top-Level Advisor: Act as the principal expert advisor to the highest levels of DOE and other federal agencies on complex engineering, nuclear safety, and worker health issues. Drive Policy and Promulgate Rules: Lead the creation, coordination, and implementation of departmental rules, directives, and guidance that establish the safety expectations for all DOE nuclear and non-nuclear facilities. Represent the Department at the Highest Levels: Serve as the primary spokesperson and liaison to Congress, the White House, international committees, and industry leaders on all matters of nuclear and non-nuclear safety. Hold Restart and Exemption Authority: Make final recommendations on the startup or restart of nuclear facilities and provide executive-level recommendations for exemptions, equivalencies, and variances to core DOE safety rules and directives. Direct National Accident Investigations: Manage the Departmental Accident Investigation Program, ensuring that incidents are expertly analyzed to drive organizational improvement and prevent future occurrences across the complex. Steer Safety Research & Development: Lead the Department's nuclear safety research and development (R&D) activities and manage the Technical Standards Program, ensuring DOE remains at the forefront of safety science and engineering. Champion Integrated Safety and Human Performance: Lead and implement cornerstone programs like Integrated Safety Management and Human Performance Improvement, embedding a proactive and continuously improving safety culture throughout the Department.