Chief, Mission Operations Branch-Aurora, CO

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) • Aurora, SD

3d • $140,239 - $197,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The NRO is collecting resumes for current and future opportunities for a Supervisor, Chief, Mission Operations Branch (GGS-14, occupational series 0132). The position provides leadership for the Mission Operations Branch and Operations Control Center (OCC), serves as a senior cadre representative, engages with Division and Site leadership, and participates in leadership battle-rhythm events. The Chief identifies personnel requirements, ensures high-quality initial, recurring, and supplemental training is available and completed on time, develops OCC guidance aligned with NRO and ADF-C guidance, advocates for OCC operational requirements, and advises the Division Chief on personnel, system, and site health, including protection of the site baseline.

The Chief serves as Mission Operations Branch Chief and OCC Supervisory Lead, providing leadership over the Branch/Flight and within the unit. The role schedules 24/7/365 operations shifts; plans and ensures training and evaluation for certified positions; and advises senior management on personnel, system, and site health. Supervisory responsibilities include directing and overseeing subordinate work, communicating policies and performance expectations, providing feedback, recommending awards and position changes, addressing performance or conduct problems, supporting employee development, and managing schedules to ensure adequate coverage during peak workloads and holiday periods. The Chief must adhere to NRO Directive 80-3 on Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, Accommodation, and Diversity Management.

The position requires certification as a Mission Director (MD), serving enough shifts each month to maintain currency, maintaining the certified personnel roster, and resolving schedule gaps caused by emergencies. While on MD duty, the Chief serves as Site Representative and provides technical subject-matter expertise and influence at the site and enterprise levels. The role maintains liaison with counterparts in the Tri-Agency, the Intelligence Community, and space-component intelligence organizations.

As a Denver Mission Director (DMD), the incumbent provides government oversight of critical Mission Ground Station functions in a 24/7/365 operation. The DMD acts after duty hours as the NRO senior representative for the Aerospace Data Facility Colorado Commander, interfaces with other mission ground stations and the NRO Operations Center, and is a contact point for Mission Operations Directorate leadership and the Director of the NRO during daily operations briefings. The DMD directs site emergency management and crisis response, prioritizing personnel safety, and provides government leadership during medical, personnel, and facilities emergencies. The position also coordinates with the Mission Support Branch on quarterly training and initial qualification, and conducts positional evaluations after trainees complete Joint Qualification Standardization tasks.

This is a full-time, onsite position in Aurora, Colorado; telework is not available. The position requires a three-year rotational assignment agreement, with possible extensions in one-year increments up to two additional years. At the end of the rotation, the incumbent must relocate to NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia, or accept another suitable NRO assignment. Overtime and travel may be required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance, and are subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing and polygraph examinations. The position is open from November 3, 2026, through November 13, 2026, with resumes due by 11:59 PM EST on November 13, 2026.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance and complete required qualification training for the Denver Mission Director position.
• Ability to pass pre-employment and periodic drug testing and polygraph examinations.
• Proven record of leading diverse teams, organizational-level leadership, and decision-making.
• Comprehensive and practical knowledge of space operations.
• Expert understanding and practical experience of how space operations contribute to Intelligence Community processes and worldwide U.S. military operations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distill technical or complex information into concise, decision-enabling formats.
• For federal government applicants, current service at the advertised grade level or higher; federal applicants may apply only for a lateral reassignment at their current grade and step, with the stated option for higher-grade applicants to request acceptance at the lower grade.
• Resume must not exceed two pages.
• Willingness to relocate to NRO Headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia, or another acceptable NRO assignment after the rotational assignment.
• Willingness to work other than normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, if required.
• Willingness to travel for temporary duty assignments if required.
• Willingness to meet emergency-essential position requirements if the position is designated emergency essential.
• If selected for a DAWIA-coded position, meet applicable DAWIA certification requirements within 24 months and maintain at least 80 continuous learning points every 24 months.
• Achieve the appropriate Information Assurance certification within six months of assignment.
• A new DCIPS employee must serve a two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility for a hiring incentive or other entitlement, at management’s discretion.
• The position may qualify for appointment of a reemployed federal annuitant.
• Veterans’ preference may apply to preference-eligible candidates who provide supporting documentation upon request.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Mission Operations Branch and Operations Control Center, serving as a senior cadre representative and engaging with Division and Site leadership.
• Identify requirements for additional personnel and ensure the availability and timely completion of initial, recurring, and supplemental training.
• Develop and publish OCC guidance consistent with OCC responsibilities and aligned with NRO and ADF-C guidance; advocate for OCC operational requirements.
• Advise the Division Chief and senior management on personnel, systems, and site health, including protection of the site baseline.
• Schedule 24/7/365 operations shifts and plan training and evaluation for certified positions.
• Direct, coordinate, and oversee subordinate employees; communicate policies and procedures; set performance expectations and provide regular feedback.
• Recommend awards and position changes, address performance or conduct issues, encourage career development, and manage schedules to ensure adequate coverage.
• Adhere to NRO Directive 80-3 regarding equal opportunity, inclusion, accommodation, and diversity management.
• Become certified as a Mission Director and serve the required monthly shifts to maintain currency and cover schedule gaps, including emergencies.
• Maintain an up-to-date certified personnel roster and serve as Site Representative while on Mission Director duty.
• Provide site and enterprise influence as a technical subject-matter expert and maintain liaison with counterparts in the Tri-Agency, Intelligence Community, and space-component intelligence organizations.
• As Denver Mission Director, provide government oversight of critical Mission Ground Station functions and act as the NRO senior representative for the Aerospace Data Facility Colorado Commander after duty hours.
• Interface with other mission ground stations and the NRO Operations Center and represent the position as a touchpoint for Mission Operations Directorate leadership and the Director of the NRO during daily operations briefings.
• Direct site emergency management and crisis response, prioritizing personnel safety, and lead government response to medical, personnel, and facilities emergencies.
• Coordinate with the Mission Support Branch on quarterly training and initial qualification for Denver Mission Directors and other certified operations positions.
• Conduct positional evaluations after trainees complete Joint Qualification Standardization tasks.
• Travel on military or commercial aircraft for temporary duty assignments if required.
• Meet applicable DAWIA certification and continuing-learning requirements if selected for a DAWIA-coded position.
• Achieve the appropriate Information Assurance certification within six months of assignment.

Benefits

• The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.
• Eligible NRO Cadre employees and candidates may receive the DCIPS Targeted Local Market Supplement STEM pay if they are serving in a STEM-designated position and meet degree requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed