The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chief Technologist serves as the NASA Administrator's principal independent expert, advisor, and advocate on matters concerning aeronautics and space-related technology policy, strategy, and programs. The NASA Chief Technologist will also represent the agency's strategic technology objectives and contributions to the national and international technology community.
Summary
Amended close date of the vacancy announcement.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chief Technologist serves as the NASA Administrator's principal independent expert, advisor, and advocate on matters concerning aeronautics and space-related technology policy, strategy, and programs. The NASA Chief Technologist will also represent the agency's strategic technology objectives and contributions to the national and international technology community.
Yes—NASA may consider reimbursement of relocation expenses based on Agency discretion and/or organizational needs; relocation expense reimbursement is not guaranteed.
The NASA Chief Technologist is responsible for expanding the current awareness and understanding of technology capabilities in one or more emerging fields of relevant to NASA, technology scouting, facilitating technology evaluation and development efforts, and supporting policy development to ensure appropriate technologies are considered/adopted across the Agency. The NASA Chief Technologist is responsible for overseeing the research and development of Agency- and sector-wide technology strategies in emerging areas and will guide the coordination, integration, and infusion of relevant technology investments across the Agency.
Specifically, the NASA Chief Technologist will:
Serve as the Administrator's primary advisor on emerging technology and technology policy issues by researching and evaluating technology capabilities, needs, and trends both inside and outside NASA. Research will involve comprehensive exploration of technology advancements, including those in the commercial sector, related to NASA's programs and gaps in knowledge relative to those emerging fields.
Bolster NASA's technology capabilities in an emerging field by developing and implementing a strategy to make progress and conducting focused research studies on select technologies.
Bring outside and emerging commercial views, technologies, and innovations into NASA by:
Monitoring the technology forefront to track experimental, emerging, and foundational technologies as they pertain to NASA's programs and missions.
Maintaining a broad awareness of technology issues and advancements to help understand the strengths and weaknesses within the technology community.
Conducting and/or orchestrating technology demonstrations and pilot projects involving emerging and experimental technology products, processes, and techniques.
Proactively engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including overlooked technology communities, to understand and integrate a wide diversity of perspectives as part of NASA's future planning.
Advocate for the use of NASA-developed technologies by outside entities.
Build partnerships across NASA and externally by serving as the NASA technology point of entry/contact with other government Agencies and the commercial aerospace industry.
Represent NASA before a wide range of external audiences.
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.
Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug screening may be required.
Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Please see the Additional Information section for important information about COVID-19.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.
Qualifications
Candidates must possess expert knowledge and at least 3 years of directly related specialized experience in research and development, advocacy, and/or implementation of cutting-edge technology related to one or more emerging technology areas (e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, or Digital Transformation). At least 1 year of this experience must include demonstrated technology research and development leadership equivalent to the GS-15 level and involve planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding attainments in the field of research or consultation.
Demonstrated technology research and development leadership in the private sector and/or academia is preferred.
Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. 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.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you MUST address each Scientific or Professional (ST) Evaluation Criteria separately not to exceed a total of ten (10) pages. If you fail to do so, your application will be rated ineligible. Please cite experience directly related to the specialized experience requirements (outlined above) when addressing the ST evaluation criteria #2 (Technical Excellence and Contributions) and ST evaluation criteria #5 (Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skills). For the full definition of the ST Evaluation Criteria and Process please click here. Please include your full name on all documents submitted.
ST EVALUATION CRITERIA:
1. Education Level and Training
2. Technical Excellence and Contributions
a. Experience/Accomplishments
b. Technical and Strategic Problem Solving
c. Publications and Information Transfer
3. Awards and Recognition
4. Outside Professional Activities
5. Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skills
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 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 private organization 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 information
If you are selected, NASA may request information regarding your vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
If the selectee is a current NASA employee with placement rights, the employee will receive a temporary promotion and serve for a period of 3 years with the option to extend up to an additional 2 years. Upon conclusion of the temporary promotion, the selectee will either return to an appropriate position at a grade level no lower than the grade previously held OR will be converted permanently without further competition.
If the selectee is not a current NASA employee, the selectee will be placed on a term appointment for a period of 3 years with the option to extend up to an additional 2 years. Upon conclusion of the term appointment, the appointment will either conclude OR the selectee may be converted permanently without further competition.
This temporary promotion or term appointment may be terminated at any time.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.
How you will be evaluated
You 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.
Applicants that meet minimum eligibility requirements outlined in the Qualifications and Education (if applicable) sections of the vacancy announcement will be referred to a panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. The panel reviews the resumes and responses to the ST evaluation criteria as related to the specialized experience for this position. The panel evaluates the candidates' experience against each ST criterion. Candidates may receive an interview for further evaluation and/or be asked to provide a list of references. The panel will make a recommendation to the appropriate approving authority.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.
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. ST Evaluation Criteria narrative responses. Limit your responses to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages 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, 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.
To 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 (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), 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: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
NASA Headquarters
300 E St SW
Washington, DC 20546
US
Next steps
Although 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 Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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. ST Evaluation Criteria narrative responses. Limit your responses to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages 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, 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.
To 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 (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), 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: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
NASA Headquarters
300 E St SW
Washington, DC 20546
US
Next steps
Although 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 Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
