Performance Assurance Specialist

Performance Assurance Specialist CO - Golden Regular 40 The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

• As an assessment team member and under the supervision and direction of the lead assessor, help to identify, plan, and execute independent and management assessments.
• Assist with identifying governing requirements for programs and business functions undergoing assessment.
• Assist with collecting documents and information as well as observing work processes, as objective evidence supporting the assessment.
• Assist with scheduling and conducting interviews of personnel relevant to the programs and business functions undergoing assessment.
• Assist with analyzing the information collected during the assessment and developing conclusions and recommendations.

• As a lead assessor, prepare formal assessment plans to direct the assessment, manage an assessment team in the execution of the assessment, deliver reports to document the assessment, and present the results of the assessment to management.
• Assist with conducting cause analyses for issues of noncompliance with requirements or opportunities for improvement that are identified by the assessment.
• Use issues management software application to create and manage assessment records and assessment outcomes.

• Assist the Effectiveness Review lead in conducting document reviews, observing work processes, and evaluating actions taken to correct issues, contributing to the development of conclusions of effectiveness.

• Interact with the Environment, Safety, Health and Quality team in the ongoing coordination, integration, and improvement of the corrective action development process with the effectiveness review process.
• Assist the Continuous Improvement Program lead in planning and conducting process improvement projects, as needed.
• Duties generally include collecting quantitative and qualitative data and information, evaluating and conducting complex analyses, evaluating process efficiency, and preparing reports, presentations and recommendations related to a specific field or function.
• Must be able to travel to NREL’s Colorado campuses in Golden, CO and Boulder, CO as needed to perform the above job duties.

Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant JD or equivalent relevant education/experience. Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories and concepts in the field. General knowledge of other related disciplines. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field. Strong leadership, project management and problem solving skills. Ability to use various computer software programs.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

• Experience conducting program or process management assessments, program audits, or other structured reviews to evaluate the effectiveness and compliance of business and operations programs and processes.
• Excellent consultation, facilitation, and communication skills (both written and verbal) are required and essential to successful job performance. Incumbent will work in an environment requiring initiative, independent judgment, and decision making. The ability to cope with ambiguity and use facilitation, team building, and coaching skills is also required.
• Strong analytical skills, as well as an ability to develop reasonable conclusions from objective and subjective evidence.
• Able to seek out new information and research additional issues related to the scope of the assessment, bringing balanced information to the analysis of performance effectiveness and avoiding bias in conclusions.
• Strong collaboration skills with an intense focus on customer and business needs.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences, from individual contributors to senior executives.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications and SharePoint.

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or business administration, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 2-3 years’ experience in management consulting/process improvement related fields
• Professional experience and proficiency in facilitation and/or conflict resolution
• Skilled and comfortable with conducting structured interviews (both virtually and in person) of personnel at all levels to obtain information.

• Experience working at a DOE national laboratory or other federal contractor facility (preferred)
• Quality assurance or auditing certifications – e.g, CQIA, ASQ , ISO
• 5+ years’ experience in management consulting/process improvement related fields
• Familiarity with Lean process improvement methodologies and technique
• Familiarity with, or certification in, formal project management processes and techniques.

Job Profile: Professional III / Annual Salary Range: $77,600 - $139,700 Job Profile: Professional II / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600 Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

• Based on eligibility rules