Director White Sands Complex Station Job in Las Cruces, NM

Vacancy No. HQ-25-ES-12797092 Department Headquarters, NASA
Salary $195,201.00 to $208,724.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/11/2025 Close Date 9/25/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Las Cruces, NM


Summary

Serves as Director of Goddard Space Flight Center's White Sands Complex (WSC), located near Las Cruces, New Mexico, NASA's primary ground terminal for space communications, providing critical services for human spaceflight, science missions, and international partnerships. The Director of the WSC Station exercises full authority for station operations, contractor oversight, civil servant workforce leadership, infrastructure stewardship, mission assurance, and inter-agency coordination.

Duties

The Director White Sands Complex Station reports to the Deputy Associate Administrator, Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) in the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD). Responsibilities include:

  • Providing executive leadership, technical authority, and management of WSC to ensure reliable, secure, and innovative space communications in support of NASA's mission, U.S. government needs, and commercial space operations. WSC houses multiple large antennas and associated infrastructure that form a major component of the Near Space Network and support relay through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS)
  • Ensuring uninterrupted support for TDRS operations, spacecraft command and telemetry, and user services for NASA and partner missions.
  • Developing long-term strategies for WSC in alignment with SCaN's strategic goals, including transition to next-generation networks.
  • Overseeing contract management, facility infrastructure, and workforce planning for a highly technical and multidisciplinary staff.
  • Managing government oversight of multi-hundred-million-dollar task orders related to operations, maintenance, sustainment, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Serving as the senior executive responsible for strategic direction, policy execution, and operational management of WSC.
  • Coordinating with NASA HQ SCaN leadership, other NASA Centers, U.S. government agencies, and international partners to ensure robust communications capability.
  • Directing the operation, modernization, and sustainment of large-aperture antennas, RF systems, communications networks, and cybersecurity infrastructure.
  • Serving as NASA's senior representative for WSC, engaging with inter-agency, commercial, and international stakeholders.
  • Ensuring compliance with NASA standards for safety, security, and reliability in all aspects of WSC operations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
  • Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
  • Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
  • Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

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 be considered for a career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES), your resume-limited to no more than two pages-must clearly demonstrate that you meet the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) required for this position. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQ(s), you may be disqualified. Any additional pages over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.

Your resume should include evidence of progressively responsible supervisory, managerial, or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity, normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.

If you are (1) currently serving under a career SES appointment, (2) eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period), OR (3) have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and certified by OPM, you do not need to address the ECQs in your resume. However, your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES, eligible for SES reinstatement, or SES CDP certified and year of certification.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQ(s). Only your 2-page resume will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (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. Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, and Civic-Mindedness

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. Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology

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. Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience

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. Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgment

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. Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking


MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):
Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would address the MTQ(s).

MTQ 1 - Demonstrated expertise in directing operations of large-scale, technically complex ground communications systems supporting human spaceflight, robotic missions, and national security activities. Competencies: Program/Project Management, Wireless Communications and Telemetry

Your application package must be in your own words. 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 job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

No Educational Requirement

Additional information

Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

We will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your application will be referred to and evaluated by an executive panel. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and/or be asked to provide a list of references or additional documents to confirm eligibility.

Upon selection, if the selectee does not have Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), he/she must undergo an ECQ based structured interview with OPM before appointment to this position.

Required Documents

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may be removed from consideration for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (recommend PDF file) showing all relevant experience. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the SES must include evidence of the ECQs and MTQ(s) within their resume. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Note: Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Therefore, please DO NOT include any of the following types of information in your resume:

  • Classified or government sensitive information.
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USAJOBS when you apply to this vacancy.

You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your application package. For example, we may request academic transcripts, SF-50s, SES Candidate Development Program certificate, etc. Therefore, we encourage you to have these documents prepared and ready when requested by the agency. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section and submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume to be included with your application package. Your uploaded resume may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to .

Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement.

NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

NASA Executive Staffing
Address
NASA Headquarters
300 E St SW
Washington, DC 20546
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact NASA Executive Staffing at Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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