Director, Basic Research

Duties

The Director, Basic Research is responsible for providing scientific leadership, management oversight, policy guidance, and coordination of the basic research programs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Military Services and Defense Agencies. The DoD Basic Research Programs encompass more than a billion dollars a year.

• Has cognizance over a spectrum of efforts in fundamental research across the Department in areas including physics, materials, chemistry, biology, electrical/electronics, computers/software, engineering sciences, mathematics, environmental sciences, and aerospace. Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for grants policy, cooperative agreements, and executing other OSD-administered research and fellowship efforts.
• Responsible for executive oversight and management of all matters concerning the DoD Basic Research (6.1) program including direction, coordination, and top-level justification. Interacts regularly with the major elements of the research community, elements of OSD, Congress, the DoD research establishment, Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, academic leaders, and other professional societies.
• Serves as chief advisor to the USD(R&E) and the ASD(S&T) on all matters pertaining to DoD/academia interactions. As part of this role, responsible for crafting DoD's position in answering Congress and the Executive Branch on all matters related to higher education and University research. Creates and amends policies for the practice of intra- and extra- mural basic and fundamental research for the Department.
• Coordinates DoD research activities with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Science Foundation and other Federal agencies in accordance with priorities set by the USD(R&E).
• Responsible for DoD interaction with both the U.S. and International university community on research topics, matters routinely engaging with the Presidents, and heads of research of universities across the country and our international partners.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• All newly appointed Career SES leaders must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
• You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
• In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 11/12/2024.
• The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), the Mandatory Technical Qualifications, and other qualifications, if applicable, listed below.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. You must address each ECQ separately, not to exceed 10 pages . You are required to respond to all ECQs. If you fail to do so will result in a rating of 'ineligible.'

When responding to the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the ECQs. Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts. You should limit your narrative to two pages per ECQ, and address each ECQ separately. OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications can assist you in writing an effective SES application.

In particular, please note the Challenge-Context-Action-Result Model that is recommended and very helpful when drafting ECQ narrative responses. The Guide is available on OPM's Website at:

Applicants must utilize the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) Model when writing Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ). Use two examples of relevant experience for each ECQ being sure your experience matches the ECQ criteria.

• Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.
• Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).
• Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.
• Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities; the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services you managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions. You should use action oriented leadership words to describe your experience and accomplishments (e.g., Led the development and implementation of....) and quantify your experience wherever possible to demonstrate your accomplishments (e.g., number of employees supervised; size of budget managed; amount of money saved, etc.).

• ECQ 1 - 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.
• ECQ 2 - Leading People : This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's 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.
• ECQ 3 - 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.
• ECQ 4 - Business Acumen : This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
• ECQ 5 - 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.

Applicants that are either Career SES members, or graduates of the Office of Personnel Management Certified Development Program are not required to address the ECQs.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than two pages per technical qualification.

1. Demonstrated expert knowledge and leadership in planning and executing leading-edge basic research portfolio in areas of interest to the Department of Defense to include experience working budgeting and legislative process.
2. Demonstrated leadership and collaboration working with complex and matrix organization for basic research and high educational programs to include broad knowledge and experience in work with academia, governmental research organizations, and international partners.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience working basic science policy issues and building consensus within DoD, the Inter-Agency, to include the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation, and/or other federal agencies funding basic research.

DoD Joint Enterprise-Wide Experience Statement: In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. This individual must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities is required. Executives must 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 resume.

Additional information

Veterans preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service. Applications MUST be submitted through USAJobs. Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 11/12/2024.

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 on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Your application will be evaluated by a rating and ranking panel. Highly qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The Office of the Secretary of Defense Executive Resources Board will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the appointing authority. Unless you have already been certified by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB), your ECQs must be certified by the OPM QRB before your appointment can occur.

Required Documents

1. Resume - In addition to your written statements addressing the Executive Core Qualifications, the Mandatory Technical Qualification(s), and other qualifications as applicable, submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications, not to exceed five pages . Applicants typically provide the following information:

• Vacancy Announcement number SES-12571355-24-KH
• Full name, email and mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
• Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, duration of employment, and salary
• Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
• Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 11/12/2024.

2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) : A narrative statement specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification. Statements should not exceed two pages per MTQ.

3. Mandatory ECQ Statement : A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual ECQ. In lieu of the narrative statement, current career SES members, reinstatement eligibles, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates must provide the documentation in item #4.

4. Copy of the Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) : If you are a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit your last or most recent SF-50 showing grade and tenure. Current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50 showing their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their ECQ certification.

5. Demographics Information of Applicants : Click on the link to access the Demographics Information of Applicants:

DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION : Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.

This job is open to

• The public: U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Federal employees - Competitive service: Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service: Current excepted service federal employees.
• Senior executives: Those who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

This job is opened to all qualified U.S. Citizens, Current Federal Employees, and Former Federal Employees.