Clarification from the agency

UNITED STATES CITIZENS MAY APPLY (no prior federal experience is required).

The AED for Laboratory Sciences provides executive leadership for the Commission’s National Product Testing and Evaluation Center within the Office of Risk Reduction (EXRR).

In this role, the AED for Laboratory Sciences will:

• Formulate and implement long-range strategies for laboratory science programs that support the Commission’s mission to reduce deaths and injuries from consumer products. Establish priorities and allocate resources to achieve national safety objectives.
• Oversee development of testing protocols and compliance programs under major consumer safety statutes (Consumer Product Safety Act, Flammable Fabrics Act, Federal Hazardous Substances Act, Refrigerator Safety Act). Ensure programs deliver measurable results in hazard reduction and regulatory compliance.
• Build coalitions with Federal agencies (NIST, DOT, DOE), state and local governments, industry leaders, and standards organizations (ASTM, ANSI, UL) to harmonize safety standards and advance scientific innovation.
• Expand partnerships with third-party testing organizations and technology innovators to incorporate advanced methodologies, including virtualized environments and automated test orchestration, enhancing scalability and impact.
• Direct research initiatives to develop new test methodologies and standards. Ensure effective management of laboratory facilities, equipment procurement, and compliance with OSHA and other safety requirements.
• Integrate AI-native simulation and digital twin testing to model product performance under real-world conditions, enabling predictive safety analytics and accelerated hazard detection.
• Lead a diverse team of senior technical managers and. Foster a high-performing culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and professional development. Champion continuous learning in AI, automation, and advanced analytics to maintain cutting-edge capabilities within the laboratory workforce.
• Drive adoption of AI-driven test frameworks and interoperability standards across industry and government to ensure consistency and transparency.
• Administer and oversee the Commission’s laboratory accreditation program for third-party conformity assessment bodies, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Provide strategic leadership in accrediting, monitoring, and maintaining the integrity of third-party testing programs to support consumer product safety certification.

Conditions of employment

• U.S Citizenship Required.
• A background investigation is required.
• Appointment to this position may be subject to Commission approval.

This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn.

One-year probationary period required for initial SES appointment.

The selectee will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment.  False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  The system confirms employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

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 meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

1. Experience leading laboratory science programs and developing testing protocols under consumer safety statutes.
2. Experience managing accreditation programs for third-party conformity assessment bodies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
3. Experience in scientific research, hazard identification, and development of safety standards.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM’s SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in chemistry, biology, or engineering is preferred.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. 

Applicants will be rated and ranked by the CPSC Executive Resources Board (ERB) or designated panel using only the information submitted for consideration. The ERB (or designated panel) will rate and rank each applicant based on the qualification requirements and refer the top candidates to the selecting official. The selecting official will consider the best qualified applicants referred based on the information provided, and possibly a personal interview. The ERB will approve the final selection and forward to the Chairman. 

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual’s application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Your package must be complete and submitted in the manner specified in this section.  Packages that are submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the agency point of contact will not be considered.

A complete application includes: 1. Resume; 2. Vacancy question responses; and 3. Submission of any required documents. 

Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. 

You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:

1. Job title
2. Employer name
3. Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
4. Hours worked per week (full-time assumed; part-time prorated)
5. Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
6. Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions, if applicable)

Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

If you are a current or former federal employee you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows: (1) permanent or career-conditional tenure (codes 1 or 2, in block 24), and (2) position occupied in the competitive service (code 1, in block 34). Indicate on your application the highest permanent grade you have held; if this grade is different from your current grade, submit a copy of an additional SF-50 showing this grade.

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

Proof of non-competitive eligibility (if applicable). Proof consists of an SF-50 showing career status in the SES and/or proof of certification of your Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) from the OPM administered Qualifications Review Board (QRB).

Non-Competitive Consideration: You are considered a non-competitive applicant if you are a current career Senior Executive, Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certified graduate of a Senior Executive (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) or an individual with SES reinstatement eligibility. You may be considered non-competitively for appointment to this position if you meet the mandatory technical qualifications requirements.

Non-competitive applicants do not need to address the ECQs but you must clearly state your status in your resume and submit a written narrative response to the Technical Qualifications. Proof of non-competitive eligibility is required. The agency has the option of considering you non-competitively or including you in the competitive process.

All supplemental documents must be submitted electronically before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have two choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
1. Download from your USAJOBS account; or
2. Upload your file(s).

Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. 

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