DIRECTOR, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE

at  US Defense Threat Reduction Agency

QUALIFICATIONS

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senor level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs).

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQS): ECQS MUST NOT EXCEED TEN PAGES (2 PAGES PER EACH ECQ NARRATIVE).

The ECQs are:

• Leading Change
• Leading People
• Results Driven
• Business Acumen
• Building Coalitions

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQS):

You must submit a separate narrative statement that addresses each of the MTQs related specifically to this position. Your narrative statements should include specific examples of experience, education, and accomplishments, applicable to the position. Your narrative statements must not exceed two pages for each MTQ.
1. Demonstrated ability and experience to effectively lead, manage, and direct professional, scientific, and technical members in the successful accomplishment of diverse research and development programs across all technical disciplines of countering WMD. Ability and experience must demonstrate strong program management skills in R&D acquisition programs.
2. Demonstrated experience providing oversight of subordinate organizations as well as managing RD activities nationally and internationally.
3. Demonstrated experience in formulation, defense, and execution, of all phases of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution cycle or an equivalent large scale budgeting system.
SPECIAL NOTE: Current and former career SES employees or graduates of a SES Candidate Development Program who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs; however, you must address the TQ statements for consideration for this position. (All other candidates must submit all required documentation).
For information and assistance in preparing your narrative statements, please see the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publication, “A Guide to SES Qualifications,” available on the OPM web site at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf.
Failure to comply with the specific instructions as stated in this announcement may result in an ineligible rating and removal from further consideration for the position.

EDUCATION

The incumbent must possess 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 OR Combination of education and experience - education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
This is an Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S) Workforce Critical Acquisition Position (CAP) in the Engineering & Technical Management, Science and Technology functional area. The Executive will be required to become certified in the Practitioner tier within 5 years. The Executive is required to acquire a minimum of 40 continuous learning (CLPs) ever fiscal year as a goal and 80 CLPs being mandatory within 2 years.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

• How to Apply

To apply for this position, please email your completed application package to include (your resume, your responses to the mandatory technical qualification statements, your responses to the Executive Core Qualification statements, Transcripts, SF-50 (if applicable), to include the announcement number of the position you are applying for to Lisa.e.shipe.civ@mail.mil by the closing date of the announcement.

IF YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR EDUCATION TO MEET QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
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SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government.

• Benefit

DUTIES

The Director, Research and Development (RD) performs the following major functions:

• Serves as a Senior Executive providing corporate leadership and communicating the Agency’s vision to the RD workforce. Provides overall leadership, guidance, and management to the RD staff. Responsible for effective communications up, down, and across DTRA and DoD.
• Provides scientific and technical program management, oversight, and direction to 500+ Service members and civilian scientists, engineers, and program managers possessing a PhD or Master’s degree, engaged in a wide variety of science and technology (S&T) programs and projects. Ensures application and consideration of all elements required for mission accomplishment, to include requirements validation, technology infusion, planning, programming, and budgeting. Reviews new and/or proposed programs and projects and determines broad objectives, milestones, and initiatives. Reviews and evaluates feasibility and suitability of new or changed programs and projects from a technological and programmatic viewpoint. Determines the relative priority and technical emphasis to be placed on emerging programs, and, by working with stakeholders, develops initiatives for exploitation of modern technology. Approves technological and management aspects of all RD programs.
• Provides oversight of all research, development, test and evaluation programs (unless specifically exempted) within DTRA.
• Manages the RD portfolio which is approximately 90% of the total DoD basic and applied research investment in countering weapons of mass destruction
• Provides acquisition guidance on more than $1.2B in annual investments in science and technology to combat the threat of WMD.
• Serves as an S&T executive supporting DoD, directly interfacing with Tier 3 level peers in the Services, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
• Represents DTRA at key science and technology venues across the DoD, the Interagency, and Internationally.
• Develops solutions in countering and combating WMD and CBRN, mitigating the effectiveness of these attacks, and providing treatment programs for those exposed to WMD or CBRN materials.
• Creates a cooperative forum for international participation in the development of combating WMD solutions. Seeks opportunities for demonstration of new technologies and techniques among U.S. allies.
• Establishes DTRA as the technical expert in WMD effects and CBRN defense for the DoD and the U.S. Government. Provides senior subject matter expertise on WMD-related matters for policy decisions, exercises, and budgetary actions.
• Supports all DTRA operations regarding WMD and CBRN-related expertise.
• Leads DTRA’s science and technology, interfacing with senior DoD officials, congressional staff, senior officials in other Federal agencies, and representatives of foreign governments, industry, and academia. Provides technical S&T briefings to a wide variety of audiences.
• Advises the Director, DTRA, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Services, and Combatant Commands on all aspects of CWMD-related research, development, test, and evaluation.
• Ensures effective execution of Equal Employment Opportunity policies, goals, and objectives. Ensures supervisors and managers evaluate and take actions that are consistent with overall EEO/diversity goals. Ensures DTRA maintains an equal and consistent approach in determining applicant/employee qualifications, selections, assignments, training, promotions, details, discipline, and awards.

THE EXECUTIVE OF THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO THE STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AS WELL AS THE CRIMINAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATUTES IN ADDITION TO 5 CFR 2638.103, GOVERNMENT ETHICS RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERVISORS.

Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily or intermittently telework.
REEMPLOYED ANNUITANTS: https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/1400.25- V300.pdf

SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government.

• Benefits

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