Director, Ocean Exploration and Research

About the role

This position is within the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. OER manages the federal program dedicated to deep ocean exploration that explores the gaps of deep ocean and the seafloor, providing essential information to strengthen the nation's economy, health, and security.

The position operates within a structured leadership framework and reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Programs and Administration.

What you will do

• The incumbent is responsible for developing and achieving an integrated agency-wide exploration strategy that advances NOAA's knowledge on oceans and Great Lakes, transitions research results into operational methods and information products; this responsibility is exercised in close cooperation with OAR and other NOAA Line Office Laboratory Directors, Regional Directors, Program Office Directors, and Program Managers; and, requires collaboration and cooperation with directors and senior scientists from the nation's most prestigious academic institutions, senior state officers, other federal agencies, and nongovernmental organization leaders.
• The incumbent directs the programmatic integration of exploration and research elements; fosters and ensures productive synergies and partnerships between the NOAA elements of exploration, research, technology development and transition and ensures proper planning, programming, budgeting, and execution.
• The incumbent is responsible for the planning, management, and evaluation of OER activities; for allocating resources; for implementing effective administrative management systems; for establishing an environment conducive to representation of scientific programs; and for recruiting, developing supervising and retaining expert scientific and programmatic personnel.
• The incumbent establishes and oversees an integrated strategy for evaluating OER exploration, research and technology development activities to ensure the quality, relevance, performance and integrity of NOAA Research within the context of the agency's overarching mission of preeminence in science, ocean stewardship and service to the nation.
• Provides policy level authoritative representation to intergovernmental, national and international councils and meetings concerning NOAA' s interest in the areas of ocean exploration, research, and technology development.
• Participates in bilateral negotiations and in interagency coordination mechanisms to the extent necessary to assure NOAA 's programs are coordinated with related programs of other Federal agencies.
• Assists NOAA in working with Congressional members and staff and constituency groups to achieve support for NOAA and OER program interests.
• Assists in maintaining the long-term scientific health and productivity of the NOAA Research enterprise, particularly those relating to exploration, undersea research, and advanced technology development; provides scientific and programmatic advice.

Requirements

• Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Senior Executive Service employees are subject to a one year probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• This position requires a Top Secret security clearance.
• There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.
• Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).

Education

A. 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 B.

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.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. 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 the Department of Education Accreditation page.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been 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.

If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of the credibility of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQ) listed above.

ECQs and PTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position.

The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For more information regarding the SES, go to ***

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and PTQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.
• TRANSCRIPTS: All applicants are required to submit transcripts at the time of application submission.
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes; however, official transcripts will be required if selected.
• Transcripts must reflect completion of a degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency.
• For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact: ***.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.