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Director, Center for Satellite Applications and Research

Employer
USAJobs
Location
College Park, Maryland
Closing date
Aug 10, 2021
Duties

Summary

The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) administers an integrated program for the development and use of all operational civilian satellite-based environmental remote sensing systems and the national and international acquisition and exchange of environmental data. NESDIS is responsible for analyzing and disseminating environmental data from satellites and other sources for use by government agencies, commercial organizations, and the general public.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The physical worksite for this position is located in College Park, MD, However, the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when NOAA moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

The Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) provides NOAA with scientific research and development that accelerates the transition of state-of-the-art satellite data, systems, products, and services to operational use by the land, atmosphere, ocean, and climate user communities. The STAR Director provides overall guidance and direction to the research and application activities for NESDIS Offices and Centers. The Center provides expert service to other NESDIS offices related to sensor development, instrument problems, systems hardware components and satellite data product applications. The Center promotes the use of satellite data in applications to meet user requirements and improve user decision making through new or better products and services. The Center coordinates with NESDIS, other appropriate NOAA offices, and U.S. Government agencies in the implementation and evaluation of operational and research satellite data and products. The STAR Director has full responsibility for the discharge of the following essential organizational functions and specific duties including:
  • Provide supporting science for space-based instrumentation, raw observations, derived data, products, and applications that are critical for NOAA's national and international programs, including calibration/validation methodologies and algorithm development;
  • Provide expert service to other NESDIS offices regarding current and future sensor and mission planning and development, instrument problems, or systems hardware components;
  • Represent NESDIS in coordinating with appropriate NOAA elements or other U.S. Government agencies in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of NOAA and non-NOAA operational and research satellite observations, data, and products that result from research activities;
  • Interact with the academic community through NOAA/university cooperative institutes and science centers to provide mechanisms for research collaboration in scientific areas of mutual interest;
  • Ensure accurate and rapid transition of science to operations and support observing system performance through close cooperation between STAR and operations;
  • Accelerate and improve the quantitative use and assimilation of research and operational satellite data in weather, ocean, climate, and environmental analysis and prediction systems; support the activities of the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation; and
  • Leverage satellite research across satellite programs (domestic, research or international) to provide integrated applications that consistently improve the use of new domain knowledge, reduce application maintenance, and increase the economic value of merged, blended, assimilated or other product or calibration/validation activities.


  • Travel Required

    25% or less - This position requires occasional travel to meetings, facility visits, etc.

    Supervisory status
    Yes

    Promotion Potential
    00 - 00

    Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

    • Incumbent may be subject to geographic mobility.
    • Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
    • Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1 year probationary period.
    • Position is subject to pre-employment background investigation.
    • Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required).
    • Position is subject to random drug testing.


    To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess all of the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications and Professional/Technical Qualifications listed below and the educational requirement. These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in managing a comprehensive business program in a complex organization. An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. Applicants must meet all of the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

    Qualifications

    SES Executive Core Qualifications:

    ECQ 1 - Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

    ECQ 2 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

    ECQ 3 - Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

    ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

    ECQ 5- Building Coalitions: This core qualification 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.

    NOTE: Responses to ECQs must not exceed 10 pages typed in 12-point font.

    Professional/Technical Core Qualifications (PTQ):

    PTQ 1 - Experience in the planning, development, implementation, and management of research and development programs involving the physical sciences and remote sensing from space.

    PTQ 2 - Experience coordinating satellite remote sensing programs and services through interaction with scientists and other officials of Federal agencies, academic institutions, research foundations, private sector and international organizations.

    PTQ 3 - Professional experience which demonstrates full knowledge and application of methods, techniques and theory utilized in decision making for remote sensed satellite data research standards and quality assurance levels of meteorological and other data to the user community.

    Note: Responses to PTQs must not exceed 2 pages per PTQ, for a total of 6 pages.

    For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp Example of ECQ statements are available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf

    Education

    A degree in 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

    A combination of education and experience (education equivalent to one of the majors mentioned) that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

    Additional information

    Background Investigation: This position is designated as Special Sensitive and requires that a background investigation be conducted and favorably adjudicated in order to establish security eligibility

    Financial Disclosure: This position is covered under the Ethics in Government Act, which requires comprehensive financial disclosures from employees. The appointee will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278), within 30 days after his/her appointment, and then annually thereafter.

    Qualifications Approval and Probationary Period: Persons newly selected for career appointment to the Senior Executive Service must have their executive core qualifications approved by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board and will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

    Mobility: Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines.

    Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required by P.L. 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.

    Drug Testing: Applicants tentatively selected for employment in any position are subject to designated and/or random pre-employment and employment urinalysis. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment and/or removed from employment with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

    False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be fired after you begin work, or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

    The materials you send with your application will not be returned.

    Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

    Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

    Selective Service: Male applicants born after 12/31/1959, who are required to register with the Selective Service under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act, must be registered (or must have registered at the time they were required to do so) in order to be eligible for appointment. For more information, visit the SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM web site at http://www.sss.gov/default.htm .

    Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

    EEO: The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Kimberly Bowden, servicing Human Resources Specialist, either by e-mail at Kimberly.Bowden@noaa.gov or by telephone at 301-628-1881. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users may contact us via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

    The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    Applicants are required to submit a narrative statement for each Professional/Technical Qualification (PTQ) and each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) listed. If you are currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and had your ECQs certified by OPM, then you only need to address each PTQ, and you do not need to submit an ECQ narrative.

    All other applicants are required to respond to all ECQs and PTQs, addressing each ECQ and PTQ separately. Please give a complete and detailed answer for each qualification. Please keep in mind each ECQ and PTQ are unique qualifications. Therefore, duplicate responses are not sufficient in determining if you meet that specific qualification.

    Do not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. Applications directing the reader to search within the application or to "See Resume" are considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Failure to submit a narrative statement or address any of the ECQs and/or PTQs is also considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. As a result, you will be rated as "INCOMPLETE".

    The servicing Human Resources Specialist will forward all minimally qualified applicants to be evaluated by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) rating panel of senior managers to determine the degree to which they possess the executive core and professional/technical qualifications, and best qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The ERB rating panel will make recommendations on best qualified candidates to the appointing authority. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience, the ECQs, and the PTQs.
    To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Sensitive Compartmented Information

    Drug test required
    Yes

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

    Trust determination process
    National security

    Required Documents

    Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

    1. Resume

    2. Transcripts (Official or Unofficial) from the institution's registrar; dean or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation which confirms completion of requirement for the required degree.

    3. If you are a current, retired or former Federal employees: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your current tenure, position title, series and grade level

    4. For current Senior Executives or individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your career appointment status in the SES.

    5. If you successfully completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM, please provide a copy of your certificate. All required documentation must be provided on or by the closing date of the vacancy (if applicable).

    6. ECQ narrative responses should be attached under "Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)".

    7. PTQ narrative responses should be attached under "Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs)".

    Applicants who fail to submit requested documents WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Application will result in an "Incomplete" rating.

    If you are unable to upload documents, you may fax your documents using the instructions below. Please fax with the appropriate cover sheet. Please refer to the fax cover sheet for the fax number. Each document must be dialed and faxed in separately as each sheet includes an identification number, which ensures your document is processed correctly.

    FAXING INSTRUCTIONS: Please fax legible documents using the appropriate cover sheet. Documents may be faxed at any time during the open period of this announcement by going to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov

    1. Log into MYUSAJOBS

    2. Click on "Applications"

    3. Locate the vacancy you applied to

    4. Under "Applicant Status" column, click on "More Information"

    5. Select "View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet" and click "Continue"

    Do not submit any additional information that is not required: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.

    If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    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.

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