The United States Space Force (USSF) Headquarters Space Force Command (HQSF) at The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia is searching for a USSF Data & AI Officer (NH-1560-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).
Description:
We are seeking a dynamic USSF Data and AI Officer to join the U.S. Space Force team and play a critical role in the planning, governance, and implementation of cutting-edge enterprise data and AI capabilities that support mission outcomes. In this position, you will work closely with cross-functional teams-including cyber/IT, engineers, developers, intelligence, and operational stakeholders-to gather requirements, shape enterprise architecture, and ensure the seamless integration of data and AI solutions. With your expertise in data system design, analytics, and AI/ML, you will evaluate existing approaches, identify enterprise-wide risks, and drive standards-based solutions that improve interoperability and decision advantage across the Service. You will also lead governance forums, align priorities across organizations, and establish clear guardrails and disciplined waiver processes to prevent fragmented or duplicative implementations.
The ideal candidate is a proven leader with at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience across data, IT, and AI domains, underpinned by a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in a relevant technical field like Computer Science or Engineering. This individual will possess a strong technical foundation, including at least four years of hands-on experience in software engineering, database design, and analytics, with proficiency in Python and SQL sufficient to guide technical direction. Crucially, they will have transitioned this technical expertise into a strategic role, with at least three years of experience leading teams or enterprise initiatives and a demonstrated ability to operate within complex governance environments. We are seeking a collaborative leader with executive-level communication skills, capable of translating complex technical risks into clear recommendations for senior leaders, developing enterprise data/AI strategy with measurable outcomes, and managing multiple concurrent projects to successful completion.
Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Expert professional knowledge of programming language such as Python, R, SQL and Java.
2. Strong knowledge of AI/ML theories and principles and its applicability to and within the enterprise level data ecosystem.
3. Advance knowledge of data governance/policies and data management practices.
4. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective data and analytics strategies.
5. Skill in providing technical leadership, managing projects and providing guidance to other IT technical specialists, government employees and contractors, engaged in planning and conducting studies and analyses, and developing recommendations affecting management and oversight of current and future Space enterprise IT systems and networks.
6. Skill and ability to speak and write effectively, to address highly complex technical and controversial issues (frequently in terms understandable to non-technical personnel), prepare and give briefings, chair meetings, lead task forces, and prepare reports and statements for senior military (General Officer/SES), government, and private sector management officials.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SCI access. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assign.
Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
PCS is authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
Qualifications
For the Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) for the 1560 series please follow the link here. In addition to the IOR You must also meet the qualifications shown at the link here. Scroll down until you see Professional and Scientific Positions.
Additional information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): 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. Click here for more information.
Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
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.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
