Director, Science Directorate

Position serves as the Director of the Science Directorate at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), providing executive leadership for a multidisciplinary organization conducting basic and applied scientific research, science instrument design and development, and flight project operations in astrophysics, space biosciences, Earth sciences, planetary sciences, and exobiology.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction, leadership, and executive oversight for the Directorate's scientific portfolio, establishing meaningful goals, near- and long-term priorities, and innovative initiatives that support NASA's mission and Agency strategic objectives.
• Assesses the portfolio against programmatic considerations and adjusts strategy and tactical plans accordingly.
• Plans, directs, integrates, and evaluates all aspects of the Directorate's research, technology, and flight activities; continuously assesses the portfolio against evolving Agency priorities, scientific opportunities, budgetary considerations, and programmatic risks; and adjusts strategic and operational plans to ensure mission success.
• Advocates, establishes, strengthens, and maintains collaborative relationships across NASA Centers, NASA Headquarters, other Federal agencies, industry, academia, and domestic and international partners to advance scientific research, technology development, and mission objectives.
• Establishes and communicates Directorate policies and organizational priorities, and exercises executive responsibility for the management of personnel, facilities, laboratories, financial resources, and institutional capabilities.
• Advises and supports the Center Director and collaborates with Center leadership to develop and execute the Center's research, technology, and institutional strategies, ensuring alignment with Agency priorities and the effective accomplishment of Headquarters and Center goals.
• Supports and encourages efforts in technology transfer, public-private partnerships, and commercialization to the maximum extent possible.
• Serves as an expert scientific consultant for NASA and a Science spokesperson for ARC.

Requirements

• File an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
• Successfully complete a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successfully complete pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine suitability for Federal employment.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment, you must clearly articulate and describe within your 2-page resume that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs, you may be disqualified. Any additional pages over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.

Your resume should include evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.

If you are (1) currently serving under a career SES appointment, (2) eligible for reinstatement into the SES, OR (3) have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and certified by OPM, you do not need to address the ECQs in your resume. However, your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for SES reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

• ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
  • Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, and Civic-Mindedness
• ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
  • Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology
• ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
  • Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience
• ECQ 4 - Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. Includes the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable.
  • Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgment
• ECQ 5 - Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
  • Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking

Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ)

• MTQ: Demonstrated experience leading a multidisciplinary scientific organization, providing strategic direction for complex scientific research portfolios across disciplines such as astrophysics, Earth science, planetary science, space biosciences, exobiology, or related scientific fields. This includes experience leading the formulation, budgeting, scheduling, execution, integration, and evaluation of scientific projects and programs.
  • Competencies: Program/Project Management and Research

Your application package must be in your own words. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement, or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science is required. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.