Chief of Plans

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Launch Delta 45 (SLD 45) at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida is searching for a Chief of Plans (NH-0301-04, GS-14/15 Equivalent).

Description:
Are you ready to become a Space Force Civilian Guardian and lead the Plans flight within the Plans & Programs (XP) Directorate? As a key member of the SLD 45 leadership team at the world's busiest Spaceport, the Chief of Plans serves as the primary interface for new and existing customers seeking to operate on the Eastern Range, assists in Delta-level strategic planning, and manages the Delta's portfolio of agreements. In this critical leadership role, you will oversee legislative liaison, international affairs support, external relations, and strategic basing actions, partnering directly with Federal, State, and local governments, as well as commercial and mission partners, to enable the unique missions of the Space Coast. Join this remarkable group of professionals as we pave the way for a Spaceport of the Future, continuing to expand launch capacity and building off the historic 109 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2025.

The ideal candidate for this position is a proven leader who possesses deep knowledge of space launch missions and Eastern Range operations, combined with strong program management skills in both short- and long-range strategic planning. They excel at organizing work, setting priorities, determining resource requirements, and utilizing sound judgment to evaluate outcomes and resolve complex issues. An exceptional communicator, they can draft and deliver professional briefings, projects, and staff reports to high-level civilian and military officials, adjusting their technical delivery to suit any audience. Furthermore, they are highly skilled in customer and external relations, demonstrating a strong ability to build coalitions, encourage innovation, and negotiate effectively with diverse internal and external agencies to lead actions that directly impact SLD 45 and the future of the spaceport.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to gather, analyze, and present complex facts and develop strategies and provide courses of action/advise senior leaders.
2. Ability to identify problems, develop and implement innovative detailed strategies to resolve a wide range of programming, planning, financial and management issues as applicable.
3. Knowledge and ability to adapt principles, methods, and techniques of related complex interdisciplinary disciplines and able to execute complex projects and/or studies within established time constraints.
4. Able to lead significant changes, influence policy decisions, and the ability to inspire, motivate and guide others toward goal accomplishment, including the ability to coach, mentor and challenge team members of a multidisciplinary staff. Ability to also plan, organize and direct the functions and staff.
5. Ability to establish and maintain relationships with key individuals/groups within and outside immediate work unit. Has knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of Department of Defense, Space Force, and other organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence the supported programs.
6. Mastery of the policies, practices, regulations, and laws concerning the SLD 45 launch range and base missions; specifically familiar with DoD launch range and commercial space policy and statutes.
7. Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
8. Knowledge of development and management of AF base/Range-level agreements, plans, treaties, international affairs, strategic planning, commercial space and legislative liaison functions.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Incumbent must be able to commute between KSC and SLD 45 facilities and bases.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
• PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/.
• Incentive is not authorized.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

Qualifications

The 0301 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.

How you will be evaluated

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Next steps