Summary The Senior Scientist for Lunar Exploration within the Science Mission Directorate serves as the principal advisor to the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration and Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program, on all science-related aspects of NASA's lunar science and exploration initiatives; advises on the scientific strategy for the exploration of Earth's Moon; and works with programmatic management to ensure the implementation of the science content is optimized. Responsibilities The Senior Scientist for Lunar Exploration: Represents the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as required by the Associate Administrator in all scientific matters relating to scientific exploration of the Earth's Moon except where related to personnel. Recommends lunar science goals and objectives which advance U.S. scientific preeminence, enable safe and sustainable human exploration of the Moon, and use of the Moon to prepare for human exploration of Mars. Serves as the Senior Scientist advisor to the Associate Administrator for SMD, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration (DAAX), and the Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program, on all matters concerning the scientific content and strategy of lunar exploration. In addition, the incumbent recommends the scientific direction and strategy for the lunar exploration to programmatic management to assure U.S. scientific preeminence in lunar science. Assesses and coordinates scientific inputs to the lunar exploration science strategy consistent with scientific priorities established by SMD senior management officials. Assesses and coordinates with programmatic management the science drivers for the development and implementation of a lunar instrument technology design and development program to meet the needs of future lunar exploration space science missions. Coordinates lunar exploration science-related activities between NASA offices and other Federal and international agencies. Assesses and coordinates scientific inputs for broad agency announcements for lunar exploration, including inter-agency and internationally supported opportunities. Serves as principle SMD science representative for lunar exploration to the scientific community through advisory committees and other groups such as the National Research Council. Supports the Associate Administrator for SMD, the DAAX, and programmatic management in presentation of the science aspects of lunar exploration to NASA top management, the Office of Management and Budget, the Congress, and other agencies and organizations as appropriate. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Candidates must be a nationally or internationally recognized scientific expert with at least one year of GS-15-equivalent experience leading Lunar Science and Exploration efforts through missions or scientific research programs. This experience includes the development of Lunar Science and Exploration strategies; publishing research on the Earth's Moon; and collaborating across broad, complex networks of scientific and external stakeholders within the Lunar and Planetary science communities. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. 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 position. NASA strictly prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools to draft application or assessment responses. For more information, please refer to NASA's guidance: https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must also address each of the Senior Level (SL) Evaluation Criteria listed below. Failure to address these criteria will result in your application being rated ineligible. For the full definition of the SL Evaluation Criteria please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/executiveleadership/#SL-Evaluation-Criteria. Please include your full name on all documents submitted. SL EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Technical Excellence and Contributions Experience/Accomplishments Technical and Strategic Problem Solving Information Transfer 2. Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skill Please refer to the "How you will be evaluated" section for a list of competencies that you will be evaluated on. Education This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here. Additional Information This position is concurrently advertised on USAJOBS via announcement HQ-26-SL-12905798 and open to current federal employees on career, career conditional; NASA term appointments with conversion eligibility; current permanent federal employees of an excepted service agency with an OPM interchange agreement; and Veterans eligible under Veterans Employment Opportunity Act. Only 1 selection will be made. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
