DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD Washington, D.C. 20004

NOTICE

Subject: EXECUTIVE RESOURCES BOARD -- EDO SELECTION

Number: N-126.1 Approved: 9/5/2023 Review: 9/5/2024 Certified:

Responsible Office: Office of the General Manager, Division of Human Resources

1. PURPOSE. This Notice establishes an Executive Resources Board (ERB) for the 

purpose of conducting the merit staffing process for selection of an individual for the 

position of Executive Director of Operations (EDO) within the Defense Nuclear Facilities

Safety Board (DNFSB or Board). This ERB functions as an advisor to the Board and is 

in addition to the ERB created under the provisions of D-126.1. This additional ERB is

necessary to fairly and objectively assess the overall scope, quality, and depth of each 

candidate’s qualifications and experience for the EDO position.

2. CANCELLATION. This Notice supersedes N-126.1, Executive Resources Board – EDO 

Selection, dated August 21, 2023. 

3. APPLICABILITY. This Notice is issued by the Chairperson in consultation with the 

Board and is applicable to all staff and external participants involved in the review and 

selection process for the EDO position.

4. EXEMPTIONS. None. This ERB Notice is intended to be implemented consistent with 

statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to SES selections, and applicable Office 

of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance related to the use of ERBs.

5. POLICY. The ERB created by this Notice is established under the authority of the 

DNFSB Chairperson as the head of the agency, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3393(b). It is the 

policy of the DNFSB to ensure its SES merit staffing procedures and other ERB 

functions are conducted in accordance with applicable federal statutes and regulations. 

The ERB is established for the limited purposes of supporting the review of candidates 

and selection of an individual for the EDO position, ensuring that the members of the 

ERB are objective and free from bias in the review and selection process. 

6. PROCEDURES. The ERB created by this Notice shall meet the following 

requirements:
DNFSB N-126.1

September 5, 2023

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A. The ERB shall be composed of the following positions and Senior Executives: one 

Board Member (Jessie H. Roberson, ERC Chair), the General Manager (James P. 

Biggins), and the Associate Technical Director for Nuclear Programs and Analysis

(Richard T. Davis). Other Associate Technical Directors at the SES level, who 

are not applicants for the EDO position, may serve as alternate ERB members. 

B. Member positions are subject to change at the discretion of the Chairperson. 

Executives that will fill the above positions will be notified of their roles and 

responsibilities by the Director of the Human Resources Division (HRD), Office

of the General Manager, on behalf of the Chairperson.

C. The Director HRD, or their designee, will serve as the Executive Secretary to the 

ERB and will provide administrative support and human resources expertise and 

advice. The Director HRD, or their designee, is a non-voting, ex-officio member 

of the ERB.

D. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Manager will serve as an advisor to 

the ERB and ensure that EEO and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility 

(DEIA) perspectives are addressed in the decision-making process. The EEO 

Manager is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the ERB.

E. The ERB will review, interview, and recommend in writing two or more 

candidates for the EDO position, following HR screening of applicants for 

minimum qualifications. The ERB shall provide its written recommendations 

for the Board’s final review and selection decision. 

F. The ERB shall serve until it transmits the recommendations to the Board, or until 

dissolved by memorandum from the Chairperson, whichever occurs first.

G. The ERB proceedings are closed to persons not serving on the ERB other than 

the Director HRD, or their designee, and EEO Manager. The Director HRD, or 

their designee, shall ensure that adequate records of the proceedings are 

maintained within the HRD.

H. The ERB is responsible for ensuring that their proceedings are consistent with

the merit system principles prescribed in 5 U.S.C. § 2301, do not allow 

prohibited personnel practices, and are consistent with the DNFSB equal 

employment opportunity and anti-discrimination policies.

I. To uphold the confidentiality of sensitive information and maintain the trust of 

all parties involved, all ERB members will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure 

Agreement (NDA) to safeguard the privacy of the ERB discussions and 

decisions. 
DNFSB N-126.1

September 5, 2023

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7. REFERENCES.

A. 42 U.S.C. § 2286a(c)(6): DNFSB Enabling Statutes

B. 5 U.S.C. § 3395(a)(1): Reassignment and transfer within the SES 

C. 5 C.F.R. § 412.401: Continuing Executive Development

D. OPM Memorandum for Chief Human Capital Officers, Executive Resources 

Boards, dated September 9, 2009. https://www.chcoc.gov/content/executiveresources-boards

E. OPM Senior Executive Service Desk Guide, Dec. 2020, 

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/referencematerials/ses-desk-guide.pdf

Joyce L. Connery, Chair

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board