PDF versionJob Summary
The Space Science and Astrobiology Division is one of three Divisions within the Science Directorate at NASA Ames Research Center. The Division conducts research in astrobiology, planetary science, and astrophysics through a team of 140 civil servants, contractors, postdoctoral fellows and students. Scope of work for Division Chief includes supervision, strategy formulation and implementation, maintenance of technical competence, and cultivating and sustaining relations with stakeholders.
Major Duties
- Do you have a strong desire to lead, inspire and develop people? Do you want your career to leave an enduring impact on others? Do you have a passion for exploration? If you answered yes, we want you!
- We recognize the vital role that supervisors play to empower our diverse workforce to achieve goals. At NASA, supervisors must have a unique combination of technical competence, individual energy, and the ability to connect with and motivate others.
- In return, we offer a range of missions and people to support, where you'll have the opportunity to contribute to work that matters while helping us create and sustain an environment that fosters connection, engagement, teamwork and innovation.
- The Division Chief is responsible for the formulation, strategy, advocacy, and direction of the key research, technology, applied sciences, and programmatic activities pursued by the Division.
- Initiates, plans, coordinates, and directs broad theoretical, experimental, and observational research projects and programs aimed at understanding space biology.
- Determines the strategic scientific goals and objectives for the Division, defining and advocating new research and projects, and developing management policies and procedures in implementing these goals.
- Keeps abreast of all the research and programmatic activities, reviews mission participation activities and performance of the research/engineering/support staff in establishing new opportunities and directions.
- Works with and advises the Science Directorate management on the strategic direction and implementation of astrophysics, exobiology and astrobiology programs at the Center.
- Responsible for securing and managing resources and facilities and representing the program to and advising Center senior leadership.
- Assures adherence to program schedules and high standards of excellence in research, engineering and mission enabling support to the Agency.
- Represents the Division and the Center through active roles in professional societies and scientific organizations that are relevant to the Center's astrophysics, astrobiology and planetary science research and programs.
- Retains sufficient technical competence to be regarded as a subject matter expert (SME) within the Center and the Agency in areas related to astrophysics, planetary sciences, exobiology, and astrobiology sciences.
- Regarded as a nationally recognized authority on research and projects/programs relevant to space biology and/or biophysical sciences.
- Participates in scientific and programmatic meetings organized by the Agency, and may be a presenter in national and international seminars and symposia related to the Division Chief's field(s) of expertise.
- Conducts performance planning and review of the civil servant staff, including direct responsibility for staff reporting to the Division management, and indirectly assuring that the second level managers perform their duties in a timely manner.
- Will be an effective advocate for the Division in meetings with external stakeholders, including representatives of other federal, state and municipal agencies, with academia, and with industry.
Qualifications
In addition to meeting Basic Education Requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-14) level, which has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.To Qualify for the GS-15:One year of specialized experience is defined as experience in leading/managing a team of scientists, researchers, engineers involved in executing Astrophysics, Astrobiology, and/or Planetary Systems Science programs/projects; and/or experience providing science discipline leadership in areas such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, geology, geobiochemisty, or other subdisciplines of astrobiology/exobiology; experience formulating and implementing a strategic plan (including planning, coordinating, and directing theoretical, experimental, or observational research programs).
Pay Range
$154,687.00 - $170,800.00