Job Opportunity: Life Sciences Technical Capability Leader at NASA Headquarters

A job opportunity is available at NASA Headquarters for a Life Sciences Technical Capability Leader 

The incumbent serves as the Technical Capabilities Leader for Life Sciences and reports directly to the NASA Chief Scientist. The incumbent leads the agency effort in enhancing communication among Life Science researchers, provides advice to relevant program and project managers in the areas of astrobiology, planetary protection, space biology, and human research crew health with regard to capabilities needed to enable successful program and project execution. In collaboration with other Technical Capability Leaders the incumbent will conduct strategic assessments to ensure critical assets of the Agency are managed efficiently. Assessments will be made both internally to NASA and externally to other government agencies, academia, and industry. 

SALARY RANGE:

$120,749.00 to $167,000.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Monday, November 3, 2014 to Friday, November 28, 2014

SERIES & GRADE:

SL-1301-00

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Position subject to pre-employment background investigation

Occasional travel may be required

Selectee must complete a financial disclosure statement

 DUTIES:

Advises Agency and ensures proper alignment across Missions and Centers consistent with Agency and capability advancement needs. Establishes plans/roadmaps to provide technical guidance to the Agency in the identification and prioritization of tasks necessary to enable discipline-level and system-level performance for future missions. Determines gap areas for advancement and strategic investment. Advises on capability sizing and strategic hiring, including contracting, across all Centers, to avoid Agency excess capacity, duplication in capability area, or excessive contracting of intrinsic NASA technical capability areas. In coordination with existing programs, determines investments and divestments within capability scope, including advising Centers on assets, and coordinates with other capability leaders to avoid duplicate scope between capability areas. Assesses balance between intramural research and extramural research and potential new management models. Solicits innovative ideas from outside the capability area, such as technical content, new approaches, workforce skills, asset use, and disposition. Maintains the linkage of life sciences research to overall human system risk mitigation.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. Candidates must possess the following technical competencies: 1.Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, policies, and standards in compliance with legislative and other regulatory requirements to improve the management and utilization of resources within a large, complex organization; and, the ability to take best advantage of state-of¬-the-art advances. 2. Demonstrated ability to analyze situations from a multi-disciplinary perspective taking into account the broad array of customer and stakeholder interests. 3. Demonstrated ability to identify areas of common interest and establishing successful teams for collaboration and long-term advocacy in maintaining critical capabilities. 4. Excellent communication skills to include the ability to guide others toward the adoption of an idea, assumption, or conclusions that is in the best interest of the overall mission and organization and effectively communicate with others not knowledgeable about the area of life sciences. 

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.

This is a Senior Level (SL) position. Current Agency policy requires that SL appointments be time-limited (temporary promotions or time limited appointments). The initial appointment will be for 3 years, with the possibility of extending up to an additional 2 years. If selectee is currently a permanent NASA civil service employee he/she will receive a temporary promotion. Employee will then return to a position at a grade level no lower than the grade previously held. If selectee is on a nonpermanent civil service appointment or is not currently on a civil service appointment he/she will receive a Term appointment NTE 3 years. Position may be converted to permanent without further competition.

HOW TO APPLY:

This vacancy is being filled through NASA STARS, an automated Staffing and Recruitment System. NASA partners with USAJOBS in providing a seamless application process. Before you begin the application process, please read the vacancy announcement carefully and have all required information available. You may begin the process of submitting your resume by clicking on the ‘Apply Online’ link. In order to be considered, you must submit a resume completed on the USAJOBS site. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to the equivalent of approximately SIX typed pages, or approximately 32,000 characters including spaces. NASA does not accept resumes uploaded to USAJOBS from a second source or documents attached through USAJOBS’ document attachment feature. Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to complete a short series of additional questions. You must finish the entire process in order to have a complete application package and receive consideration. Your answers will not be saved unless you finish the entire application. You may edit a previously-submitted application, if the announcement is still open. If you are unable to apply electronically for this position, submit your resume and supplemental questions to: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Resume Operations Center, Mailstop: HS50, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812. DO NOT submit your resume directly to the Center advertising this vacancy. Mailed resumes must be received by the close of business on the closing date of the announcement. Hard copy resumes requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements. If you are a first time applicant, we recommend that you review NASA’s Applicant Guide to ensure that 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 INFO:

Human Resources Management Division – Client ServicesPhone: 202-358-0180Email: HQ-NASAHQ-JOBS@MAIL.NASA.GOV

Agency Information:NASA’s Resume Operations CenterMailstop HS50Marshall Space Flight Center, AL35812US

Additional information on this position and how to apply can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/385455400