KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Occasional travel will be required.

As the Director, the incumbent will have full responsibility for the direction and administration of all essential organizational functions in ER field offices and in the region headquarters. Direction and administrative activities include: resolving operational and technical management problems; maintaining surveillance over the organization; and ensuring the timely and adequate management and implementation of established NWS goals and programs. The Director, ER is responsible for: 1. Providing oversight to ensure an effective severe weather and flood warning system which minimizes loss of life and property; development of effective weather services which enhance the efficiency of the activities and operations for the general public, public safety organizations, the media, and other users of public weather services; and approval of the media selection and use for the dissemination of weather services which enhance the efficiency of various public and private interest located within the region. 2. Managing the timeliness and accuracy of weather observations and responsive communications systems in support of NWS and regional programs which include weather forecasts and warnings to the public, the media, and other user groups, forecasts and advisories are responsive to the needs of the public and all users. 3. Monitoring and overseeing the effective transition of NWS services and the implementation of new information technology and systems in accordance with NWS modernization and associated restructuring plans. 4. Managing and implementing the efficient and effective utilization of human resources, equipment and facilities, information technology and systems and financial resources in compliance with NOAA and NWS strategic planning processes.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess all of the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications and Professional/Technical Qualifications listed in this announcement. These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in managing a comprehensive business program in a complex organization. An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position. Applicants must meet all of the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants are required to submit a narrative statement for each of the five mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and each of the mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). Please give a complete and detailed answer for each mandatory qualification. Do not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. Applications directing the reader to search within the application or to "See Resume" are considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Failure to submit a narrative statement or address any of the mandatory ECQs and/or PTQs is also considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. For detailed guidance on ECQs, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp Applicants currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to address the ECQs but must address all mandatory PTQs.

Specialized Experience:  Experience that equips the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

A. Degree: 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

B. 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.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

All applicants will be evaluated by a panel of senior managers to determine the degree to which they possess the mandatory executive core and professional/technical qualifications. To be rated and considered for this position, applicants are requested to fully describe their experience in each of the following five (5) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and all of the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). When addressing the ECQ and PTQ requirements, please use the first person as you assess and describe your leadership qualifications. (e.g., [In 2009 I led XYZ organization] NOT [In 2009 Mr. Doe led the XYZ organization]).

SES Executive Core Qualifications:

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.

NOTE: Responses to ECQs must not exceed 10 pages typed 12 point font. For more detailed information and samples please see the OPM link http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2010.pdf

Professional/Technical Core Qualifications (PTQ):  

PTQ 1 - In-depth knowledge of and experience in the physical sciences related to a variety of scientific / meteorological techniques and methodologies associated with weather and hydrologic warning and forecasting, e.g., data acquisition, analysis, prognosis, product refinements, and dissemination, as well as operational experience in one or more filed forecast program, e.g., agriculture, aviation, air pollution, climate, and fire weather.

PTQ 2 - Experience which demonstrates the analytical skills and abilities involved in the identification and definition of service needs and requirements, the development of objectives, the evaluation of options, and the determination of final courses of action.

PTQ 3 - Broad executive-level experience in a large scientifically and technically complex organization reflecting leadership in program analysis, oversight, presentation, management, in particular, those areas which support weather and meteorological services.

MANDATORY: Occupational Questionnaire (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions)

You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB. Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp This link provides an overview of all of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees. http://www.usajobs.gov/ei/benefits.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation: Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized.

Background Investigation: This position is designated as critical sensitive and requires that a background investigation be conducted and favorably adjudicated for a Secret clearance in order to establish eligibility.

Financial Disclosure: This position is covered under the Ethics in Government Act, which requires comprehensive financial disclosures from employees. The appointee will be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (SF-278), within 30 days after his/her appointment, and then annually thereafter.

Qualifications Approval and Probationary Period: Persons newly selected for career appointment to the Senior Executive Service must have their executive core qualifications approved by an Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board and will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Mobility: Individuals selected for Senior Executive Service positions may be subject to reassignments across geographical, organizational, and functional lines. You may be required to travel.

Drug Testing: Applicants tentatively selected for employment in any position are subject to designated and/or random urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment. Signature: Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

False Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be fired after you begin work, or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Veterans' preference is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

NOAA is an equal opportunity employer.  NOAA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: ECQ and PTQ Documentation should be attached under "Writing Example One" and "Writing Example Two", respectively, once you have completed the online questionnaire. To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USA JOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USA JOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USA JOBS account at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk at 866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.  

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

A complete application consists of the following:

• Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s).
• ECQs - Provide at least one full page typed narratives per executive core qualifications. Responses to ECQs must not exceed 10 pages typed 12 point font. Failure to fully respond or address any of the core qualification will result in an incomplete application and the package WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ECQ documentation should be attached under "Writing Example One".
• PTQs - Provide narrative response to professional/technical qualifications. Response should not exceed 1 page per PTQ. PTQ documentation should be attached under "Writing Example Two".
• Education - If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp for more information.
• Documentation supporting career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM.

Note: You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient. You will be required to enter your full social security number (SSN only to initially access and create an account at the OPM USAJOBS website; however, only the last four digits will appear in your resume. Please DO NOT put your SSN on pages within your application package.

Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579):   The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified by email of the receipt of your application. The typical SES selection process at NOAA averages 80-85 work days after the announcement closes.