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Deputy Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Commercial Space Transportation is working to meet the demands now and into the future by working with those involved in every aspect of the commercial space industry, including the next generation of rocket engineers and scientists. We join forces with executives from the commercial space transportation industry, representatives from the satellite industry, manufacturers, users, and state and local government officials, both nationally and internationally.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/27/2025 to 06/09/2025
Salary
$152,200 to - $214,300 per year

Base salary is set within the range based on qualifications, experience and peer salaries. Locality pay is added for a total salary of up to $225,700.

Pay scale & grade
EV 02
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - The job may require up to 25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fixed Rate PCS - Permanent Change of Station (U.S. Citizens) - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $5,000 will be paid to new hires to Federal service, former Federal employees (reinstatements), and student trainees. A fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid to current Federal employees. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
EXE-AST-25-2-95191
Control number
837602500

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Duties

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The Deputy Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, within the Office of Commercial Space Transportation, is responsible for leading the Commercial Space Transportation line of business in regulating the U.S. commercial space transportation industry to ensure compliance with international obligations of the U.S. and to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy interests of the U.S. The incumbent encourages, facilitates, and promotes commercial space launches and reentries by the private sector; recommends appropriate changes in Federal statutes, treaties, regulations, policies, plans, and procedures; and facilitates the strengthening and expansion of the U.S. space transportation infrastructure.

The Deputy Associate Administrator oversees a budget of approximately $45M and provides executive direction and oversight of a geographically dispersed line of business comprised of approximately 161 positions, including two Executives and 42 senior employees.

Principal Responsibilities:

  • Directs the establishment of national policies, standards, and procedures for the operation and competitive viability of the Federal role in commercial space transportation.
  • Advises on matters concerning the scope content, emphasis, and direction of regulatory and certification programs, goals, policies (including those related to commercial space transportation, space policy, research, and development), and relationships with external elements and activities.
  • Reviews and evaluates program performance to keep the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator informed concerning how effectively program goals are being met and recommends actions to correct deficiencies and improve program performance.
  • Serves as an alternate for the Associate Administrator of Commercial Space Transporation to represent the FAA Administrator on commercial space programs and activities to both internal and external audiences. Responsible for advising the Administrator and other top Department of Transportation officials concerning those programs and activities.
  • Advocates for FAA positions, particularly when legislative changes are required to enable the FAA to pursue stated commercial space transportation and other policy goals.
  • Maintains close and continuous contact with representatives of Congress, other Federal organizations, state entities, commercial space industry, the public, and various other domestic and foreign public and private organizations concerned with commercial space policies and programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the FAA Executive System, you must clearly articulate and describe within your five (5) page resume evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability; and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Leadership and Technical Requirements listed below.

  • LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience in achieving operational results? If so, provide examples of ways you have exercised leadership to deliver significant results. Explain how you established goals, assessed outcomes, and improved products and services. Indicate how you identified and met customers' requirements and addressed the needs of stakeholders. Include examples of complex problems you solved or difficult obstacles that you overcame as a leader. Your description should include (1) the size and complexity of organizations you have led, (2) the scope of programs you have managed, and (3) the impact of your results on customers and other stakeholders.
  • LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience leading people? If yes, describe the size of the organization and number and types of positions you have managed. Discuss ways that you have established and maintained positive work environments and prevented or eliminated discrimination or harassment. Describe ways that you have mentored and developed employees and built individual and team performance. Discuss how you have established and led teams to deliver products and services. Include in your description experience in leading others in a matrix environment across organizations.
  • LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience building relationships? If yes, describe (1) the types of individuals with whom you routinely collaborate; and (2) the purpose and outcomes of the communication. Discuss your experience in communicating and cooperating with others to achieve goals. Provide examples of how you have built relationships to achieve consensus and how you were able to obtain the cooperation of others with competing priorities and perspectives. Describe how you effectively communicate information within and outside of your organization.
  • LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT: Do you have experience leading strategic change? If yes, describe examples of strategic changes that you led for your organization; describe the entities that the change affected (agency, industry, organizational components). Discuss obstacles you encountered and how you overcame them to the benefit of the agency. Include in your description ways that you applied long-range vision, developed strategies, and applied innovative ideas and techniques.
  • TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT: Demonstrated experience overseeing an aerospace organization responsible for aerospace systems and programs and developing solutions for technical issues associated with transportation activities.

Education

An education requirement has not been established for this occupational series.

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

How you will be evaluated

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



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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