NASA's SMD Seeking Space Policy Experts – Apply by Jan 22 — CORRECTION

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) has two positions open for space policy experts.  One is a permanent civil service job, the other is an IPA.  Applications for the civil service position are due January 22, 2014. 

The full-time permanent civil service job is posted on USAJOBS.gov.  It is at the mid-career GS 13/14 level and open to qualified U.S. citizens. 

Information on the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment — where someone is detailed to NASA for two years with a possibility of extensions for four additional years — is as follows.

PLEASE CONTACT JENS FEELY AT NASA (contact information below) WITH ANY QUESTIONS, NOT SPACEPOLICYONLINE.COM!   WE ARE JUST HELPING SPREAD THE WORD.

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Seeks Public Policy Expert

SMD’s Strategic Integration and Management Division (SIMD) is looking for a Public Policy Expert to join our staff under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) appointment.

Under authority granted to NASA in the NASA Flexibility Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-201, 118 Stat. 461 (5 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.)), the initial IPA appointment will be for up to 2 years, with the possibility of reappointment up to a total of 6 years.  The Intergovernmental Personnel Act provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the Federal Government and state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers, and other eligible organizations; all applicants must be from an IPA-eligible organization.

Ideal candidates would have an advanced degree in Public Policy or a related field, and have multiple years of experience working in public policy implementation.  All candidates must possess excellent policy analysis, writing and editing skills.  Prior experience working on space policy is desirable, but not required. SMD’s preferred start date is February 1-May 1, 2014.

The individual selected would join a 7-person team focused on providing policy support to SMD’s 95 missions that span Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and various reimbursable projects for other agencies. In support of SMD’s policy functions, the policy team manages SMD’s relations with external groups, including Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), educational entities, and external advisory committees and boards.  In partnership with other SMD Divisions, the policy branch also supports the SMD Associate Administrator by providing integrated guidance, strategy, and focused advocacy for NASA’s science program.

The specific responsibilities of the policy branch include the following:

•                Develop and coordinate testimony, Congressional correspondence, white papers, Congressional reports, proactive legislative outreach, staff briefings, and responses to Congressional and Executive Branch review actions.

•                Monitor, support development of, and track inter-agency agreements, coordinate interagency meetings, and manage SMD’s coordination with OSTP and OMB.

•                Coordinate SMD international activities and relationships, including Agency and SMD international policy, agreements status tracking, export control, and international meetings.

•                Manage the NAC Science Committee and support the SMD Divisions in the management of the respective Science Subcommittees advisory groups; Oversee and coordinate SMD’s activities with the National Research Council.

•                Oversee and coordinate Directorate audit and review activities with the NASA Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other auditors or reviewers.

•                Coordinate and support the development of SMD elements of the NASA strategic plan and Directorate science plan, and provide support to the Resource Management Division ‘s (RMD) activities in response to the Government Performance and Results (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010.

Questions concerning this IPA Appointment opportunity should be directed to Dr. T. Jens Feeley at jens.feeley@nasa.gov or 202.358.1714.  

 Correction:  We misunderstood the original information we were provided and originally wrote that there were two civil service positions, but this is only one.   This article has been corrected accordingly.