Director Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
: Job Details :

SummaryStennis Space Center (SSC) is looking for a dedicated executive to serve as the Director, Safety & Mission Assurance (S&MA) to manage and direct the product assurance activities for all Agency human spaceflight activities and site operations at SSC. S&MA is responsible for system safety, hazard analysis and quality assurance, pressure system and pressure vessel management, and risk management.This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees -Excepted serviceCurrent excepted service federal employees.
• Senior executivesThose who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agencyThe area of consideration for this position is all groups of qualified individuals within the civil service, Senior Executive Service (SES) reinstatement eligible, and SES Candidate Development Program certified graduates with noncompetitive eligibility. A person is considered to be in the civil service only if occupying a civil service position at the time of application.VideosDutiesThe Director Office of Safety and Mission Assurance:

• Implements Agency S&MA policies and practices for human spaceflight programs and projects at SSC. This includes monitoring support contractor S&MA efforts.
• Leads the organization and is responsible for workforce and budget, mission assurance functions, processes, and procedures for programs/projects, occupational safety, health, or medical activities related to institutional safety, propulsion and space launch vehicle test operations, and/or range operations.
• Serves astechnical 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 the Program Managers, the Project Managers, and other managers of the 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 on-site 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 and healthful working environment for all employees, ensures employees are provided adequate training andinstructions on safety issues, and ensures that safety is a top priority in facility management and operations.
• Fosters and continually drives a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence, and innovation within and outside of the organization and NASA. Champions the Agency's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and creates an environment and culture that promotes and enables the Agency's commitment to safety, inclusion, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

Requirements Conditions of Employment

• The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• 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 meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

QualificationsYou must have the skill and ability to perform the duties described above as demonstrated by progressively responsible supervisory/leadership experience, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.Your application package must be in your own words. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement, or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you MUST address each Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) separately. If you fail to do so, your application will be rated ineligible. We recommend you provide two (2) examples of relevant experience for each ECQ. Responses to ALL ECQs must not exceed ten (10) pages; MTQ responses must not exceed one (1) page per MTQ. Please include your full name on all documents submitted. If you are currently serving under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period), or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program and been certified by Office of Personnel Management (OPM) you MUST submit a resume and in a separate document address the MTQs. Any ECQs submitted will not be considered. Your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification.When preparing your responses to the ECQs and MTQs, you are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action, and Result model outlined in the OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualification. For a sample template on how to format your ECQ narrative visit NASA's Executive Leadership Opportunities.EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: ECQ 1 - Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.ECQ 2 - Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.ECQ 3 - Results Driven: The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: MTQ 1- Demonstrated experience in leading and directing occupational safety, health, or medical activities related to institutional safety, propulsion and space launch vehicle test operations, and/or range operations.MTQ 2- Demonstrated experience in leading and managing an organization, including workforce and budget, responsible for safety and mission assurance functions, processes, and procedures for programs/projects. This includes system safety, hazard analysis and quality assurance, pressure system and pressure vessel management, and risk management.EducationThis 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 bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science.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 credential evaluation service that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be 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. For further information, click here.Additional informationMust be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.

• BenefitsA 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility 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.

How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications above.We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your application will be evaluated based on your narrative statements addressing the ECQs and MTQs. Your application may then be referred to and evaluated by an Executive Resources Panel (ERP) and will be placed in one of the following categories: Not Qualified, Qualified, or Highly-qualified. Candidates may receive an interview and/or be asked to provide a list of references. The ERP will make a recommendation to the appropriate approving authority.

• BenefitsA 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility 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.
• Required DocumentsAs a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.You must provide a complete application package. If you do not provide all required information, you will not be considered for this position. Only provide the following:1. Resume showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.2. Executive Core Qualifications narrative responses, if applicable. Limit your response to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.3. Mandatory Technical Qualifications narrative responses. Limit your response to 1 page per MTQ. If more than 1 page per MTQ is submitted, only the first pages for each MTQ will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your application package. For example, we may request transcripts, SF-50s, SES Candidate Development Program certificate, etc. Therefore, we encourage you to have these documents prepared and ready when requested by the agency. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
• How to ApplyTo apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  To verify the status of your application, log into 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: NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact ...@mail.nasa.gov for assistance. Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement.NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.Agency contact informationNASA Executive StaffingEmail ...@mail.nasa.govAddressStennis Space Center Hlass St Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 USNext stepsAlthough you may or may not be contacted during the selection process, we will always advise you about the outcome of the announcement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact NASA Executive Staffing at ...@mail.nasa.gov.
• Fair and TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required DocumentsYou must provide a complete application package. If you do not provide all required information, you will not be considered for this position. Only provide the following:1. Resume showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.2. Executive Core Qualifications narrative responses, if applicable. Limit your response to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.3. Mandatory Technical Qualifications narrative responses. Limit your response to 1 page per MTQ. If more than 1 page per MTQ is submitted, only the first pages for each MTQ will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your application package. For example, we may request transcripts, SF-50s, SES Candidate Development Program certificate, etc. Therefore, we encourage you to have these documents prepared and ready when requested by the agency. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.How to ApplyTo apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

• To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
• Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
• After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
• You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into 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: NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact ...@mail.nasa.gov for assistance. Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement.NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.Agency contact informationNASA Executive StaffingEmail ...@mail.nasa.govAddressStennis Space Center Hlass St Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 USNext stepsAlthough you may or may not be contacted during the selection process, we will always advise you about the outcome of the announcement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact NASA Executive Staffing at ...@mail.nasa.gov.Fair & TransparentThe Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request