Argonne is seeking to a fill the lead of its WPC Program and Team.  The Work Panning and Control is key part of Argonne’s Integrated Safety Management system, primarily focused on analysis of hazards and associated application of safety control systems, equipment, and practices.  The program also focuses on promoting strong communication and planning within and across work teams to safely execute work.

This WPC Program Manager will directly supervise staff as well as provide matrix management of other support professionals. 

Some of the key opportunities the incumbent will be responsible for include, but are not limited to:

Leading the WPC Program Office of approximately 5 individuals.

Creating and delivering training programs designed to teach people the basics of sound work planning and control

Working with the Argonne training team and Lab leaders to design effective OJT and other “hands on” training programs

Managing a field assist team to provide in the field WPC assistance to scientific researchers, operations personnel and front-line supervisors

Collaborating with business transformation specialists, change management experts, and users to optimize WPC using continuous improvement processes

Acting as WPC champion and communication lead with the Lab leadership team and across all levels of the Lab

Meeting routinely with customer stakeholder to gather feedback focused on customer service and WPC process improvements.

Managing the Lab’s Human Performance Improvement program.

Teaming with Argonne’s Environmental, Safety, and Health (ESH) Directorate and the Argonne Leadership to drive safety culture programs and maturity

Working with ESH to define and execute a graded review approach to WPC; including independent review boards for very high risk, first of a kind, etc. work

Key responsibilities include:

Responsible for the leadership, direction and oversight for the Laboratory’s Work Planning and Control Program

Working with Lab leaders to identify work that presents the highest risk

Assembling and managing teams and support personnel to assist in the planning of high risk work

Managing the WPC training program

Working with line management to design and document OJT and other field training programs to ensure the necessary level of rigor and assurance that people are equipped to perform work safely and effectively

Managing WPC Information technology tools and working with users and developers to optimize over time; examples include AWARE (Argonne’s WPC software), and the Management Awareness Tool (for flagging high risk work)

Collecting, organizing and distributing feedback from users, researchers, and other stakeholders

Acting as a subject matter expert and external point of contact on Argonne WPC processes

Working with external improvement teams to enhance WPC related processes though out the DOE Laboratory complex

Serving as WPC Subject Matter Expert on incident investigations and audits to discern severity of WPC deficiencies and issues, identify root causes, and develop solutions

Position Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, ES&H or other related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and related technical experience.

15 years of work experience required with ability to build and manage teams

Ability to translate complex concepts into actionable items

Significant experience in integrated Safety Management and work planning and control

Experience with Conduct of Operations

Record of progression and achievement in current and past roles in areas such as project management, process design, work planning, process improvement, communications and change management

Facilitation, mentoring and leadership skills and experience to effectively work with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, technicians, SMEs, and managers in planning complex and high hazard work.

Advanced interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical or operational information.

Successful candidates will also have proven communications (written/presentation) and interpersonal skills with experience and comfort in dealing and rapport building with all levels of staff, leadership and stakeholders. They will have proven experience in working in high-demand, fast-paced environments where critical thinking skills and managing competing priorities was necessary. They will excel in process improvement, human performance, and program execution whose outcomes have led to positive organizational impact.

Job Family

Professional Technical (PT)

Job Profile

ESH Multi-Functional Leader 3

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

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