Director, Office of Safety & Mission Assurance

Summary

The Director, Safety & Mission Assurance (S&MA) is responsible for managing and directing the safety and product assurance activities for all Agency human spaceflight activities at the Stennis Space Center (SSC), such as the International Space Station, Space Launch System, Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems, and Commercial Crew Development Programs, as well as Research and Development, Range Management, and Industrial Operations.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the capability to independently analyze and assess the safety, reliability, maintainability, and quality aspects of the design, development, test, manufacturing, and operational phases of aerospace programs. Establishes policy, requirements, and criteria pertaining to these functions, and for ensuring SSC organizational and contractor compliance with the Center's Quality Management System.
• Implements Agency S&MA policies and practices for programs and projects at SSC. This includes monitoring support contractor S&MA efforts.
• Serves as technical expert, policy advisor, and consultant to the Center Director and senior staff on S&MA matters. Advises the Center Director and senior Agency management regarding the overall status of S&MA issues.
• Continually participates with Program Managers, Project Managers, and other managers of functional directorates in the development of policies, procedures, plans, and requirements for S&MA activities.
• Develops plans, schedules, and procedures to implement the S&MA functions for the Program and Projects Offices, other Center organizations, and support contractor organizations.
• Establishes requirements and criteria in procurement documents, and evaluates resulting proposals relative to the design, manufacturing, qualifications and testing of aerospace spacecraft, systems, subsystems, experiments, and related support equipment.
• Provides support for program milestone reviews and provides an assessment report to the Flight Readiness Review Board.
• Serves as the approval authority for the Center Director on requests for waivers to Center Safety policies and regulations; and acts for the program offices when authorized as approval authority for waivers to quality and reliability requirements.
• Monitors spaceflight mission in real time to assist in the analysis of flight anomalies and corrective measures and participates in postflight analysis and test activities.
• Monitors critical and hazardous testing and provides for safety hazards recognition and safety training.
• Works with and supports responsible SSC directorates in environmental health, radiation safety, and range safety to ensure an integrated safety program for the Center, its employees, and tenants.
• Ensures a safe working environment for all employees, ensures employees are provided adequate training and instructions on safety issues, and ensures that safety is a top priority in facility management and operations.
• Engages with on‑site tenants and partners, as required, in alignment with agreements and responsibilities, to ensure appropriate compliance and alignment with all applicable safety policies and regulations.

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 thereafter.
• 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 how you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position. If your 2‑page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs, 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, 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 include the year of certification.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQs. Only your 2‑page resume will be accepted and considered.

Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs)

ECQ 1 – Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding – 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 – 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 – Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work of exceptional quality. Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience.

ECQ 4 – Leading People – 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. Includes the ability to lead people through change and hold individuals accountable. Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgment.

ECQ 5 – Achieving Results – 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)

MTQ 1 – Demonstrated experience in leading and managing an organization responsible for safety and mission assurance functions for institutional safety, propulsion and space launch vehicle test operations, and/or range operations. Includes system safety, hazard analysis, quality assurance, pressure system and pressure vessel management, and risk management. Competencies: Quality Engineering and Assurance, System Safety.

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) institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. An undergraduate degree in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or another 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 credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or full credit must have been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited 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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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