The Director White Sands Complex Station reports to the Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) in the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD). Responsibilities include:

• Providing executive leadership, technical authority, and management of WSC to ensure reliable, secure, and innovative space communications in support of NASA's mission, U.S. government needs, and commercial space operations. WSC houses multiple large antennas and associated infrastructure that form a major component of the Near Space Network and support relay through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS)
• Ensuring uninterrupted support for TDRS operations, spacecraft command and telemetry, and user services for NASA and partner missions.
• Developing long-term strategies for WSC in alignment with SCaN's strategic goals, including transition to next-generation networks.
• Overseeing contract management, facility infrastructure, and workforce planning for a highly technical and multidisciplinary staff.
• Managing government oversight of multi-hundred-million-dollar task orders related to operations, maintenance, sustainment, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Serving as the senior executive responsible for strategic direction, policy execution, and operational management of WSC.
• Coordinating with NASA HQ SCaN leadership, other NASA Centers, U.S. government agencies, and international partners to ensure robust communications capability.
• Directing the operation, modernization, and sustainment of large-aperture antennas, RF systems, communications networks, and cybersecurity infrastructure.
• Serving as NASA's senior representative for WSC, engaging with inter-agency, commercial, and international stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with NASA standards for safety, security, and reliability in all aspects of WSC operations.

Conditions of employment

• The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
• Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To be considered for a career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES), your resume-limited to no more than two pages-must clearly demonstrate that you meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) required for this position. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQ(s), you may be disqualified. Any additional pages over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.

Your resume should include evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.

If you are (1) currently serving under a career SES appointment, (2) eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period), OR (3) have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and certified by OPM, you do not need to address the ECQs in your resume. However, your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for SES reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQ(s). Only your 2-page resume will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)

ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, and Civic-Mindedness

ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology

ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience

ECQ 4 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgment

ECQ 5 - Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking


MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):
Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would address the MTQ(s).

MTQ 1 - Demonstrated expertise in directing operations of large-scale, technically complex ground communications systems supporting human spaceflight, robotic missions, and national security activities. Competencies: Program/Project Management, Wireless Communications and Telemetry

Your application package must be in your own words. 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. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

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.

We will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your application will be referred to and evaluated by an executive panel. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and/or be asked to provide a list of references or additional documents to confirm eligibility.

Upon selection, if the selectee does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), he/she must undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM before appointment to this position.