AST - Planetary Studies

Headquarters, NASA•Huntsville, AL

13d

About The Position

Serves as NASA's senior program authority and principal advisor to the Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance, on Agency-wide orbital debris mitigation matters. Leads development, implementation, interpretation, and continuous improvement of NASA directives, standards, and technical requirements for orbital debris mitigation in flight programs and projects. Advises programs and projects on mitigation practices and compliance with Federal standards and NASA requirements, and provides authoritative technical and policy interpretation to Mission Directorates, Centers, Program Managers, and Technical Authorities concerning compliance obligations, risk acceptance decisions, and technical standards. Exercises Agency-level review responsibility to support consistent policy implementation and independent safety oversight. Represents NASA in interagency, national, and international forums concerning orbital debris mitigation, space sustainability, and related policy matters. Duties at lower grades have more limited scope, independence, and complexity and are commensurate with the selected employee's grade.

Requirements

One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, in addition to meeting the basic education requirement.
For GS-14: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 applying models and tools to characterize the orbital debris environment and assess risks of debris generation and disposal methods; developing and implementing orbital debris mitigation requirements for NASA programs and projects; and generating Orbital Debris Assessment Reports (ODAR) and End of Mission Plans (EOMP).
For GS-15: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-14 leading or conducting technical assessments, reviews, and compliance activities related to orbital debris mitigation for spaceflight missions; planning, developing, and implementing orbital debris mitigation activities for major agency programs of national scope and impact; and consulting and advising on policies, guidelines, and mitigation practices for spaceflight projects.
A bachelor's degree in an eligible field: engineering from a college or university with an ABET-accredited engineering program; physical science, mathematics, life science, or another science field; or qualifying computer science coursework and subject knowledge as specified in the announcement. A qualifying graduate degree may be used if the applicant does not have a qualifying bachelor's degree.
Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered with exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, demonstrating significant full-performance-level achievement directly related to the position.
Current Federal employees must meet applicable qualifications, time-in-grade, and 90-day-after-competitive-appointment requirements by the announcement closing date.
The position is subject to a pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation or clearance requirements may depend on duty location and NASA Center requirements.
Financial disclosure, drug testing, and travel requirements may apply depending on duty location and NASA Center requirements.
Applicants must provide a clear, detailed narrative in their own words describing how they meet the required specialized experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as NASA's senior program authority and principal advisor to the Chief, Safety and Mission Assurance, on Agency-wide orbital debris mitigation matters.
Lead the development, implementation, interpretation, and continuous improvement of NASA internal directives, standards, and technical requirements governing orbital debris mitigation for flight programs and projects.
Advise programs and projects on orbital debris mitigation practices and compliance with Federal standards and NASA requirements.
Provide technical and policy interpretation to Mission Directorates, Centers, Program Managers, and Technical Authorities on compliance obligations, risk acceptance decisions, and technical standards.
Conduct Agency-level reviews to ensure consistent policy implementation and independent safety oversight across NASA programs and projects.
Represent NASA in interagency, national, and international forums involving orbital debris mitigation, space sustainability, and related policy matters.