For the 5th year in a row NASA has been ranked the best large agency to work for in the federal government by the Partnership for Public Service. Click the "About the Agency" link to learn more. About the Agency (http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/careers-lp.htm).
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is responsible for NASA's Science Program including four major science disciplines (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science) as well as several cross-disciplinary programs. SMD manages a $6B/year annual program consisting of over 100 space flight mission a robust research and analysis program that addresses fundamental questions about the mysteries of our universe, finding life elsewhere, and protecting and improving life on Earth.
The incumbent will serve as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Research (DAAR) within the Office of the Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate (AA/SMD), and is part of SMD's senior leadership team. The DAAR will provide strategic leadership for SMD's science program and will work with other members of the Front Office as well as SMD division-level leadership to ensure the overall coordination of the program with the Directorate as well as the Office of the Chief Scientist, other NASA Mission Directorates, and the Field Centers. The DAAR is responsible for the adherence to all National Agency, and Directorate-level policies, guidelines and processes related to the conduct of research. The DAAR is also the primary interface of SMD with the National Academies' Space Studies Board and other relevant entities providing strategic guidance to NASA's research programs.
Summary
For the 5th year in a row NASA has been ranked the best large agency to work for in the federal government by the Partnership for Public Service. Click the "About the Agency" link to learn more. About the Agency (http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/careers-lp.htm).
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is responsible for NASA's Science Program including four major science disciplines (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science) as well as several cross-disciplinary programs. SMD manages a $6B/year annual program consisting of over 100 space flight mission a robust research and analysis program that addresses fundamental questions about the mysteries of our universe, finding life elsewhere, and protecting and improving life on Earth.
The incumbent will serve as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Research (DAAR) within the Office of the Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate (AA/SMD), and is part of SMD's senior leadership team. The DAAR will provide strategic leadership for SMD's science program and will work with other members of the Front Office as well as SMD division-level leadership to ensure the overall coordination of the program with the Directorate as well as the Office of the Chief Scientist, other NASA Mission Directorates, and the Field Centers. The DAAR is responsible for the adherence to all National Agency, and Directorate-level policies, guidelines and processes related to the conduct of research. The DAAR is also the primary interface of SMD with the National Academies' Space Studies Board and other relevant entities providing strategic guidance to NASA's research programs.
- Supports the AA/SMD in all Directorate and Agency level activities and may act for the AA/SMD as required.
- Serves as liaison and active link between the AA/SMD and the Earth Science and Space Science scientific and technical communities, specifically: academic, business, and government organizations involved in the development and use of scientific instrumentation, the analysis and interpretation of data, and the planning of future programs in all of SMD’s science divisions.
- Chairs the SMD Science Management Council, which advises the AA/SMD on matters of Directorate policy to ensure the quality of processes and programs. The Council also sits on the SMD Selection Board to make final recommendations to the AA/SMD for all science mission selections.
- Advises the AA/SMD on programmatic, technological, financial, and risk issues pertaining to the progress in science missions, especially those relating to science return.
- Represents the Directorate and Agency both as a member of the scientific community and a spokesperson for SMD; serves as the principal SMD contact to the National Academies and its boards and committees.
- Participates in the Directorate Program Management Council (DPMC) to ensure the quality, integrity, and readiness of the science portions of SMD space missions and recommends to the AA/SMD whether or not a mission is ready to move to its next phase or not.
- Works closely with the Office of the Chief Scientist to coordinate SMD's programs and policies with those of other offices and directorates within NASA.
- Oversees SMD’s Announcements of Opportunity (AO) for major flight program solicitations and evaluation policies and processes, including support by the Langley Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA).
- Collaborates with the SMD Lead for Research in overseeing Directorate-level coordination of research grants solicitation and selection, including SMD’s annual omnibus NASA Research Announcement (NRA) for Research Opportunities in Earth and Space Science (ROSES).
- Assures proper integration of scientific goals and objectives of science programs by coordinating activities across the NASA Centers, within NASA's key contractors, and with other federal agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
A financial disclosure statement is required upon appointment into the SES.
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
Occasional travel may be required
First time SES appointees are subject to a one-year probationary period.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Demonstrated knowledge of and operational experience in national space and science policies, including roles of key participants and advisory committees (e.g., committees and subcommittees of NASA Advisory Council and units of the National Research Council, etc.), space science issues, and application programs. Provide examples how you have successfully met this requirement.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of and operational experience in solicitation, evaluation, and selection policies and processes for space science research grants and flight missions. Provide examples how you have successfully met this requirement.
3. Demonstrated experience in managing scientific and technical programs, contracts and contractors, and senior scientific and technical personnel, preferably in a federal environment. Provide examples how you have successfully met this requirement.
Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
Combination of education and experience - education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Qualifications
To qualify, candidates must have the skill and ability to perform the duties described above as demonstrated by progressively responsible supervisory/managerial experience, normally with several years at the GS-15 level or equivalent, which demonstrates clearly the ability to manage people and resources. Candidates must also demonstrate qualifications in the managerial and technical areas noted below. See the SES Handbook and NASA's Guide to Effectively Preparing Executive Core Qualifications for more information.
IMPORTANT: CANDIDATES MUST FULLY ADDRESS ALL ITEMS UNDER EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS AS WELL AS ALL ITEMS UNDER TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU COMPLETE YOUR ANSWERS OFF-LINE IN ADVANCE OF BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, SO THAT YOU CAN INSERT THEM INTO THE ELECTRONIC FORM. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT SAVED.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Leading Change - Involves the ability to bring about strategic change, within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
2. Leading People - Involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
3. Results Driven - Involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
4. Business Acumen - Involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
5. Building Coalitions - Involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.
Education
To qualify, candidates must have the skill and ability to perform the duties described above as demonstrated by progressively responsible supervisory/managerial experience, normally with several years at the GS-15 level or equivalent, which demonstrates clearly the ability to manage people and resources. Candidates must also demonstrate qualifications in the managerial and technical areas noted below. See the SES Handbook (http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/handbook.asp) and NASA's Guide to Effectively Preparing Executive Core Qualifications (http://www.nssc.nasa.gov/ses) for more information.
IMPORTANT: CANDIDATES MUST FULLY ADDRESS ALL ITEMS UNDER EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS AS WELL AS ALL ITEMS UNDER TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU COMPLETE YOUR ANSWERS OFF-LINE IN ADVANCE OF BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, SO THAT YOU CAN INSERT THEM INTO THE ELECTRONIC FORM. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT SAVED.
Additional information
Any applicant tentatively selected for this position may be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation. This announcement is for a career appointment to a position at NASA in the Senior Executive Service (SES). Persons entering the SES for the first time are subject to a one-year probationary period. A financial disclosure statement is required upon appointment into the SES. This statement will be used to avoid conflicting situations in employment through advice and counseling. Your USAJOBS account asks you to assign a name to each of your resumes. When you apply to a NASA position, we will show you the text of the resume you have submitted, but we do not maintain the name you have assigned to that resume. If you wish to keep track of that information, we recommend you make note of it at the time you apply.
Relocation expenses may be paid consistent with NASA's policy.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be evaluated by an Executive Resources Panel based on the managerial and technical qualification requirements stated in this announcement. Eligible candidates will be placed in qualified and highly-qualified categories. Interviews, and qualification and suitability inquiries may be requested. The highly-qualified will be referred to the appropriate official who will recommend selection.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information.
You must also respond to both the Executive Core Qualifications (Managerial Qualifications) and the Technical Qualifications. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application.
In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide. Nothing further is required unless we make you an employment offer. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may use that as a basis for withdrawing our employment offer.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In order to be considered, you must submit a resume, ECQ statements and Technical Qualifications statements. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to the equivalent of approximately 32,000 characters (including spaces). You will not be allowed to complete the application process if your resume is too long.
If you are a current career member of the SES, or have reinstatement eligibility based on prior service under a career SES appointment, you do not need to address the Executive Core Qualifications. We also recommend that you take some time to carefully prepare these documents, especially your Executive Core Qualifications. Helpful information can be found here.
Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to provide additional information, including narrative statements about your managerial and technical qualifications. Responses to the Executive Core Qualifications questions may not exceed 32,200 characters. Responses to technical qualifications are also limited to 32,200 characters. Because your answers will not be saved until you complete the entire application, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN A SEPARATE TEXT DOCUMENT AND INSERT THEM INTO THE ON-LINE FORM. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT SAVED. Do NOT include your answers in the body of your USAJOBS resume, since they will be asked separately.
If you are unable to apply electronically, how to send hard copy resumes and additional requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements.
If you are a first time applicant, we recommend you review NASA's Applicant Guide to ensure you are providing a complete resume. Failure to submit the supplemental data and a resume that contains all of the required information may result in loss of consideration for positions in which you are interested. All applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Agency contact information
Human Resources Management Division, Executive Services
NASA's Resume Operations Center
4200 Rideout Road, Mailstop HS50
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
US
Next steps
Although you may or may not be contacted during the selection process, we will always advise you about the outcome of the announcement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the individual identified in the Contact section.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information.
You must also respond to both the Executive Core Qualifications (Managerial Qualifications) and the Technical Qualifications. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application.
In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide. Nothing further is required unless we make you an employment offer. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may use that as a basis for withdrawing our employment offer.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
In order to be considered, you must submit a resume, ECQ statements and Technical Qualifications statements. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to the equivalent of approximately 32,000 characters (including spaces). You will not be allowed to complete the application process if your resume is too long.
If you are a current career member of the SES, or have reinstatement eligibility based on prior service under a career SES appointment, you do not need to address the Executive Core Qualifications. We also recommend that you take some time to carefully prepare these documents, especially your Executive Core Qualifications. Helpful information can be found here.
Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to provide additional information, including narrative statements about your managerial and technical qualifications. Responses to the Executive Core Qualifications questions may not exceed 32,200 characters. Responses to technical qualifications are also limited to 32,200 characters. Because your answers will not be saved until you complete the entire application, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN A SEPARATE TEXT DOCUMENT AND INSERT THEM INTO THE ON-LINE FORM. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT SAVED. Do NOT include your answers in the body of your USAJOBS resume, since they will be asked separately.
If you are unable to apply electronically, how to send hard copy resumes and additional requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements.
If you are a first time applicant, we recommend you review NASA's Applicant Guide to ensure you are providing a complete resume. Failure to submit the supplemental data and a resume that contains all of the required information may result in loss of consideration for positions in which you are interested. All applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Agency contact information
Human Resources Management Division, Executive Services
NASA's Resume Operations Center
4200 Rideout Road, Mailstop HS50
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
US
Next steps
Although you may or may not be contacted during the selection process, we will always advise you about the outcome of the announcement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact the individual identified in the Contact section.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
