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Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Science, Technology, and Engineering)

Department of the Air Force
Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology, and Engineering), responsible for preparing policy, guidance, and advocacy for science, technology and engineering in support of the Air Force's modernization program, including the prototyping and experimentation program, and the science & technology program.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/15/2024 to 07/28/2024
Salary
$180,359 to - $204,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MRL2024-25A
Control number
799807500

Duties

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The Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Science, Technology, and Engineering) is responsible for preparing policy, guidance, and advocacy for science, technology and engineering in support of the Air Force's modernization program, including the prototyping and experimentation program, and the science & technology program. The incumbent leads comprehensive reviews of capability development planning activities and investments and provides recommended guidance to the AF Acquisition Executive and the Secretary of the Air Force (SecAF). In addition, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing the Department of the Air Force civilian scientist and engineering workforce career field and functional management activities.

The ADAS will:

1. Serve as Air Force and Space Force Career Field and Functional Manager for Scientists and Engineers (S&E) in collaboration with the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) (Science, Technology and Engineering), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Office of the Space Acquisition Executive, Space Systems Command (SSC), and Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC). Chair the S&E Advisory Council (SEAC), responsible for S&E career development guidance and growth opportunities, leadership, processes, and tools in the product, logistics, nuclear weapons, space, intelligence, analysis, and test centers and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Oversee the Department of the Air Force (DAF) STEM strategy and resource plan.

2. Lead DAF capability development planning policy, guidance, and initiatives to improve the state of practice. Develop and improve technology transition pathways, by integrating functions across DAF requirements, analysis, S&T, engineering, acquisition and sustainment processes. Grow the mission engineering and analysis competency in the DAF.

3. In collaboration with the DAS (ST&E), oversee AF prototyping and experimentation investments, aligning with SecAF and force design priorities. Engage with DoD partners to leverage Service and joint investment opportunities including rapid prototyping and experimentation and capability concept demonstration programs.

4. Assist the DAS in the following duties:

- Oversee and advance the state of practice of DAF S&T and engineering processes, procedures, and adequacy as applied to all AF managed and/or supported systems including S&T, engineering, integration, manufacturing, and sustainment efforts. Identifies current and future technical needs and champions initiatives to satisfy those needs (e.g. digital transformation, weapons cyber resilience).

- Represent the DAF in meetings and conferences with Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), other military departments, other agencies, industry, universities, Congress, Government Accounting Office (GAO) and representatives of foreign governments and industry where S&T and engineering matters are discussed, advocated or resolved.

- Create and implement a long-term vision for the engineering and technical management function. Develop a strategic plan to describe the needed technical processes, personnel skill levels, facilities and equipment to achieve the vision. Implement customer-oriented initiatives and objectives in pursuit of the strategic plan. Work with industry at a corporate level to foster the adoption of skills and practices throughout the supply chain.

- Represent SAF/AQ throughout the major systems acquisition process as a participant in milestone decisions, program reviews, cross-functional teams and councils, providing engineering and technical risk advice to the Service Acquisition Executive and DAF Corporate Leadership (e.g., Secretary of the Air Force, Assistant Secretaries or Designees).

- Provide executive leadership, management, oversight, and direction to the office staff. Through subordinate supervisors, manage and/or provide oversight to a staff of approximately 70-80 military, civilian, and contractor personnel. Monitor and evaluate the progress of the organization towards meeting goals. Make or recommend adjustment in objectives, work plans, schedules, and commits and adjusts resources as appropriate. Ensure compliance with AF regulations in the areas of equal opportunity, security, and safety for all assigned personnel and follow the provisions of all applicable directives pertaining to military and civilian personnel management.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement
  • Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
  • Position has been designated Critical-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
  • Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
  • Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoD Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
  • Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
  • An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
  • Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
  • Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
  • Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations.

A. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Education Requirement:
A Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.

2. Certification Requirements: This is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP). The incumbent must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements cited below, unless a waiver is granted by the appropriate component official (i.e., the Director of Acquisition Career Management for the Component, the Service Acquisition Executive, or the Service Secretary).

a. Ten (10) years acquisition experience in an Acquisition Workforce position, at least 4 years of which was performed while assigned to a CAP.

b. Selectee must execute, as a condition of employment, a written agreement to remain in federal service in this position for at least three years. In signing such agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment.

c. Selectee must meet Practitioner level certification requirements in Engineering and Technical Management (ETM) or must be able to meet Practitioner certification within 5 years (60 months) of assignment.

d. Selectee must have 4 years of relevant ETM experience with evidence of demonstrated proficiency in ETM competencies.

e. Selectee must meet 80 hours of continuous learning requirements within the designated timeframe (80 hours of continuing learning (CL) every 2 years (with a goal of engaging in 40 hours annually)).

B. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): (NTE 3 pages - PDF format)
A supplemental statement must be submitted separately addressing each TQ. TQs must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants should focus on recent experience, education, and training, as some Recruitment Panel and Executive Resources Board members may consider experience that's over 10 years old to be outdated. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

1. Demonstrated technical expertise and leadership experience with S&T, prototyping, or experimentation planning and project management, with a focus on transitioning technology to meet priority capability needs.

2. Proven ability your ability to develop and retain diverse teams of scientists and engineers with the technical competencies essential to maintaining technological advantage in great power competition.

3. Knowledge and experience with DoD or DAF Corporate oversight processes including acquisition; program planning, budgeting and execution (PPBE); or Congressional engagement.

In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives should demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. A separate narrative statement is not required--this information should be embedded within the application package [Resume (not to exceed 5 pages) and Technical Qualifications (not to exceed a combined total of 3 pages)].

Education

The General Engineering (0801) series requires: A professional engineering degree from an accredited institution. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics; (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits: (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; or a combination of education and experience.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities please click here. Subsequently, FTR Bulletin 20-04 issued by GSA, provides further information regarding NDAA FY2020, Public Law 116-92, and the expansion of eligibility beyond "transferred" for WTA/RITA allowances. For additional information, please click here.

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How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A Resume-based Senior Executive Service (SES) Hiring Method will be used for this recruitment. This method provides an alternative to traditional submissions that requires applicants to submit a resume and 10-page written Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) narrative statement. A well-written resume for this announcement should demonstrate to Senior Hiring Officials that you possess the essential ECQs with supporting accomplishments. Applicants should incorporate ECQs and technical competencies as they write their resumes and can refer to the following OPM Link for additional guidance on SES Executive Qualifications: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf. In addition, the Department of the Air Force highly encourages applicants to seek mentoring assistance from a current SES member in preparing and/or reviewing their package.

PLEASE NOTE: This position will be filled under the FY2021 NDAA Section 1118, "Pilot Program for Initial Appointments to Senior Executive Service Positions in the Department of Defense (DoD)." This authority allows us to appoint qualified individuals to initial career appointments into the Senior Executive Service of the DoD without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3393(c).

A career SES appointment made under this authority does not guarantee that you will be eligible to transfer to another career SES appointment outside of the DoD without the need for you to compete. Other Federal agencies may require you to submit ECQs to OPM's QRB prior to your appointment in that agency.

Applications will be evaluated against the qualifications requirements. Failure to meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications standards will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. Candidates will be evaluated for this position by a screening panel composed of a diverse mix of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel discusses each application and reaches consensus on the resume packages demonstrating a high degree of the executive core qualifications and technical competencies. Only those applicants whose packages demonstrate a mastery of ECQs and technical competencies are selected for interviews. Post interview, the panel will then make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent upon the Air Force Executive Resources Board and the Under Secretary of the Air Force.

REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents (Resume, Technical Qualification narrative), please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.

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