Director, Ocean Exploration and Research

Summary

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.

Duties

1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Assists NOAA in working with Congressional members and staff and constituency groups to achieve support for NOAA and OER program interests. 6. 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). Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2 page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should be 2 pages or fewer and not include images or graphics. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. PTQ 1: Comprehensive and demonstrated expertise in the fields of ocean science, ocean exploration, ocean technology, and/or ocean education, including knowledge of current marine and undersea technology, exploration methods, challenges, problems, and issues PTQ 2: Demonstrated senior-level experience in managing a scientifically and technically complex organization, including experience with the management principles and practices necessary to conduct organizational analysis and oversee program planning and execution. PTQ 3: Demonstrated experience providing scientific and organizational leadership to oceanographic and/or ocean engineering science research programs. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: 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. 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. 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. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's 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. 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. Note: Applicants who are current or former members of the SES, have SES reinstatement eligibility, or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) should submit supporting documentation (e.g., SF-50 or OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification) reflecting their eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/. Other 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: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact: [email protected].. 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.