Director Planetary Science Division

Summary

NASAs Planetary Science Division drives robotic exploration of the solar system-excluding the Sun and Earth-to understand planetary origins evolution and the potential for life. Planetary Science Division funds flagship missions like Mars rovers Europa Clipper and Dragonfly manages planetary data oversees planetary defense and leads sample-return efforts guided by the Planetary Science Decadal Survey.

Duties

The Director Planetary Science Division:

• Establishes guidance and objectives as a basis for the planning and formulation of a national program in planetary science including technology development planetary mission development mission operations and data analysis.
• Directs the planning and implementation of a balanced national planetary science program that is responsive to the priorities of the of the scientific community as established through a rigorous Decadal Survey process.
• In concert with overall Science Mission Directorate (SMD) strategic planning implements and manages a program for flight experiments and science investigations for solar system exploration.
• Develops budgets policies and priorities for the planetary science programs including providing scientific and technical leadership required to guide implementation of relevant programs with the university community private industry NASA Centers other government research laboratories and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.
• Ensures an effective program of research and analysis of planetary science data and dissemination of results to the public and to the scientific community through scientific publications symposia colloquia press releases and press conferences.
• Serves as liaison with the scientific community through advisory committees working groups and other entities such as the National Academy of Sciences; coordinates the requirements of the Planetary Science studies with the international community and other Federal agencies.
• Prepares rationale and justification to support the annual budget request for programs in the Planetary Science Division.
• In coordination with other SMD Divisions develops and presents periodic reviews and reporting including weekly monthly and quarterly project and program reviews as required.
• Formulates future programs and develops a feasible strategy for the implementation of these programs that is consistent with available resources in conjunction with a robust technology development program coordinated with the other Divisions within SMD.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• The individual selected will be required to file an Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
• Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successful completion of 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 your suitability for Federal employment at the time requested by the agency.

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 MTQ(s) related to this position . If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQ(s) 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 (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period) 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.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQ(s). Only your 2-page resume will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)
For more information on the ECQs please visit OPMs ECQ webpage.

ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a 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: This core qualification involves the 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: This core qualification involves the 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: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organizations vision mission and goals and to drive a high-performance high-accountability culture. This includes when necessary the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Competencies: Accountability Developing Others Executive Judgment

ECQ 5 - Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the 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):
Your resume must include accomplishments that address the MTQ(s).

MTQ 1 - Demonstrated experience leading/managing planetary science programs (with activities such as experimental observational theoretical studies and modeling of: planets planetary satellites asteroids comets meteoroids and other objects media and phenomena in the solar system as well as their formation composition and evolution) including leading multidisciplinary teams across research mission planning and/or mission execution. Experience includes establishing science program objectives developing strategies and budgets and providing scientific or technical leadership across science stakeholder communities to ensure alignment with priorities and needs.
Competencies: Planetary Science Strategic Thinking

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. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit to review NASAs guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

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. For a list of schools which meet these criteria please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

A bachelors 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.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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. For further information click here.

Additional information

Veterans preference is not applicable to the SES.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Director