Deputy Chief, Spaceport of the Future

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at the Vandenberg Space Force Base is searching for an Deputy Chief, Spaceport of the Future, SLD 30 (NH-0801-03, GS12/13 equivalent).

Description:
This position is for a high-performing engineer and integrator who wants to be at the center of one of the most important infrastructure portfolios in the Space Force. As the Deputy Chief for Spaceport of the Future Infrastructure, you will help lead the government team responsible for planning and executing more than $600M in MILCON and FSRM projects that directly enable launch operations and future spaceport growth. On a daily basis, you will synchronize project managers, contractors, mission partners, and support agencies; track cost, schedule, and risk across multiple efforts; review briefings and staff packages; solve execution problems; and turn complex project data into clear recommendations for leadership.

The ideal candidate possesses a:
- Mastery of professional engineering principles to design, evaluate, and modernize complex launch infrastructure. Ability to apply advanced engineering concepts to novel Spaceport of the Future MILCON and dFSRM requirements.
- Strong ability to synthesize project status, financial, schedule, and risk data from multiple sources into reliable information for leadership decision-making. Able to validate data, identify inconsistencies, and present clear, actionable assessments of portfolio health.
- Expert-level planning and execution skills to oversee a $600M+ infrastructure portfolio. Ability to utilize risk-based scoring models to prioritize resources, track costs, and maintain the authoritative programmatic data baseline.
- Deep capability to research, interpret, and navigate complex regulations and processes, including environmental reviews, and recommend timely, economical solutions to improve project execution.
- Proven ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of the SotF-I flight and effectively mentor, motivate, and appraise a blended workforce of civilian personnel and defense contractors in a high-tempo operational environment.
- Exceptional ability to communicate technically complex engineering and programmatic data clearly and concisely. Skilled at delivering strategic reporting and presenting clear, actionable recommendations to leadership and mission partners.
- Comprehensive knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations to ensure a compliant, secure, and equitable work environment during high-stakes space launch operations.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a broad range of professional civil engineering concepts, principles, and practices and related engineering disciplines (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical engineering) and architecture.
2. Knowledge of safety, environmental, and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
3. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
5. Knowledge of program planning and budgeting cycles, financial control and budget systems, and management which includes work classifications and the regulatory and statutory restrictions on the expenditures of appropriated and non- appropriated funds.
6. Knowledge of automated data processing concepts, systems capabilities, and usage to effectively accomplish assigned functions.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• The work requires the employee to drive’ a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license is required for the position.
• An engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an institution with an ABET accredited program in Civil Engineering or a closely related field is highly desired.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
• PCS / relocation funding is not authorized.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 10 days per year.
• For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please go to https://afciviliancareers.com/find-a-job/
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
• 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.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific 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