Leads and oversees a portfolio of science and technology-related engagements including technology assessments, technical audits, and other technical products and services.
Summary
Leads and oversees a portfolio of science and technology-related engagements including technology assessments, technical audits, and other technical products and services.
Manages and provides executive leadership for the execution of complex engagements that are particularly technical in their issues and/or content, including technology assessments, technical performance auditors or audits with science or technology-related components, and Comptroller General Forums and Roundtables.
Supports STAA's Managing Director (MD) and other STAA directors in developing, defining, and driving GAO's strategy with regard to technology assessments and/or technical performance audits.
Ensures effective execution of projects within the GAO STAA portfolio, including reviewing products for adequate coverage and supportable conclusions, findings, recommendations, policy implications and/or policy options in accordance with GAO quality standards, using appropriate criteria and sound technical judgement.
Represents STAA in discussions with GAO senior leaders, policy-making conferences, work groups, government agencies, and professional organizations.
Provides technical support/advice to the Congress and/or agencies in accordance with Congressional direction or request.
Supervises and directs STAA Assistant Directors to ensure day-to-day operations are carried out efficiently and effectively, and ensuring products meet all GAO standards for quality and are in conformance with all agency policies and requirements.
Maintains and evolves the STAA science portfolio through continuous interaction with congressional members and staff, as well as the science and technology community to formulate, propose and design engagements.
Provides expert senior level advice and support to engagement teams across the GAO on technical aspects of science and technology-related engagements in accordance with GAO standards.
Recommends courses of action to the MD and has full responsibility and authority to determine policies, plans, goals, organization, and courses of actions. Advises subordinate assistant directors on best technical approaches to achieve quality results. Ensure staff receives training and remains abreast of all technical science or technology-related analyses.
If also assigned as the director of the Engineering Sciences (ES) group, lead and oversee the generation and implementation of its various best practices guides. Provide guidance and advice to ES staff regarding stakeholder work in the areas such as cost estimating, scheduling, earned value management, analysis of alternatives, technology readiness assessment, Agile software practices, and project management.
You must be registered with the Selective Service, as applicable.
If you are selected, you must complete a background investigation.
If you are selected, you must submit a financial disclosure report.
If you are selected, you may be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance depending on the engagements, projects, and initiatives assigned to you.
If you are selected, you will serve at the Comptroller General's pleasure.
If you are selected, you will be required to submit an official transcript to support your claim that you meet the education requirements for the position.
Qualifications
You must meet the qualification requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
The level of experience we are looking for is typically gained in GS-14, GS-15, Senior Executive Service, Senior Level, or equivalent-level positions.
Technical qualifications
The technical qualifications describe the necessary professional and technical knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.
The technical qualifications for this position are:
Experience supervising or overseeing engineering, biological science, physical science, or computer science technology assessment projects or audits to develop policy options for Congress or recommendations to agencies.
Experience developing and reviewing written work products, including technology assessments and audits, in accordance with GAO quality standards.
Executive core qualifications (ECQs)
The ECQs assess executive experience and potential. They measure whether you have the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of Senior Executive Service positions.
The ECQs for this position are:
Leading Change: This core qualification involves 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.
Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations 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.
Results Driven: This core qualification involves 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.
Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves 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.
NOTE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
You must meet the education requirements by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
If you are applying for the General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401, you must have one of the following:
A degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position
A combination of courses equivalent to a major in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position plus appropriate experience or additional education.
If you are applying for the General Engineering Series 0801, you must have one of the following:
A bachelor's degree in engineering from a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET.
A degree in engineering that includes 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.
A current professional registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), professional registration as an Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any state, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. (NOTE: You are eligible only for positions that are closely related to the specialty field of your registration.)
Successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various states, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
At least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences that includes 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.
Successfully completed a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, such as engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND have least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
If you are applying for the General Physical Science Series 1301, you must have one of the following:
A degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
Education equivalent to a major in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
If you are applying for the General Mathematics and Statistics Series 1501, you must have one of the following:
A degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
Courses equivalent to a major field of study in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, plus additional education or appropriate experience.
Additional information
Form I-9, Employment Verification and the Electronic Eligibility Verification Program - GAO participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. If selected, the Form I-9 will be required at the time of in-processing. Click here for more information about E-Verify and to obtain a copy of the Form I-9.
Appointment type: This is a GAO limited term Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment. This appointment does not make you eligible for:
Reinstatement to the GAO SES as a career appointee
Noncompetitive transfer to a career SES appointment in the civil service SES under GAO's interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Equal employment opportunity: The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Additional selections: We may use this announcement to hire for similar positions.
Premium pay: you cannot earn overtime, compensatory time unless it is for religious observances available to all U.S. Government Accountability Office employees, or credit hours.
Reasonable accommodations: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov. The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Veterans' preference: does not apply to the U.S. Government Accountability Office Senior Executive Service (SES) positions.
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.
You will be evaluated based on:
The experience listed in your resume and whether your experience and skills match what we're looking for.
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.
Emphasize your level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken, and the results of your actions.
Include start and end dates for each position (e.g., month and year; month, day, and year).
Your resume must show evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive-level management capability and directly related to the executive core qualifications.
Address the executive core qualifications (ECQs) listed in the Qualifications section in your resume. The Addressing Executive Qualifications in a Resume (Resume-Based Method) and Example of Resume sections of the Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications have useful information on how to write your executive qualifications in your resume.
Online questionnaire
You will complete this by following the directions in the How to Apply section.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit your complete application package by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement to be considered for this position.
To apply for this position, you must complete the application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section of the announcement.
How to apply online
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 résumé 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/.
How to apply using an alternative application
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application. Please contact at to get instructions on how to apply using an alternative application.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
You get a confirmation that we received your application
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.
We do an initial screening of the applications
After the announcement closes, we will review your application package to determine if you are eligible, meet the qualifications requirements, and provided the required documents.
We rate the applications
If you reach this phase, a panel of executives will rate the breadth and depth of your executive qualifications.
If you are rated high enough you may be referred for an interview.
We conduct interviews
If you reach this phase, a panel of executives will interview you.
The panel will make a recommendation to the selecting official on who to select for the position.
We contact your references
We may contact your references. We use this step to get additional information on your skills, performance, knowledge, and work history from a source other than yourself. This will help us assess your potential for success in the position.
We send you a tentative job offer
If you're selected, we will make you a tentative job offer and begin negotiating your salary.
We conduct a background investigation
If you're not a current GAO employee, you will need to complete a background investigation. We use the background investigation to determine if you're suitable for federal employment.
We send you a final job offer
We will work with you and your hiring manager at GAO to set an onboarding date.
After your onboarding date is approved, you will get your final job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Emphasize your level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken, and the results of your actions.
Include start and end dates for each position (e.g., month and year; month, day, and year).
Your resume must show evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive-level management capability and directly related to the executive core qualifications.
Address the executive core qualifications (ECQs) listed in the Qualifications section in your resume. The Addressing Executive Qualifications in a Resume (Resume-Based Method) and Example of Resume sections of the Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications have useful information on how to write your executive qualifications in your resume.
Online questionnaire
You will complete this by following the directions in the How to Apply section.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
You must submit your complete application package by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement to be considered for this position.
To apply for this position, you must complete the application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section of the announcement.
How to apply online
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 résumé 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/.
How to apply using an alternative application
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application. Please contact at to get instructions on how to apply using an alternative application.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
You get a confirmation that we received your application
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.
We do an initial screening of the applications
After the announcement closes, we will review your application package to determine if you are eligible, meet the qualifications requirements, and provided the required documents.
We rate the applications
If you reach this phase, a panel of executives will rate the breadth and depth of your executive qualifications.
If you are rated high enough you may be referred for an interview.
We conduct interviews
If you reach this phase, a panel of executives will interview you.
The panel will make a recommendation to the selecting official on who to select for the position.
We contact your references
We may contact your references. We use this step to get additional information on your skills, performance, knowledge, and work history from a source other than yourself. This will help us assess your potential for success in the position.
We send you a tentative job offer
If you're selected, we will make you a tentative job offer and begin negotiating your salary.
We conduct a background investigation
If you're not a current GAO employee, you will need to complete a background investigation. We use the background investigation to determine if you're suitable for federal employment.
We send you a final job offer
We will work with you and your hiring manager at GAO to set an onboarding date.
After your onboarding date is approved, you will get your final job offer.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
