Summary Established by the FY2020 NDAA, the U.S. Space Force (USSF) ensures freedom of operations in the space domain. STARCOM, its foundational command, prepares combat-ready Guardians through training and doctrine development. This Executive Director position at Patrick SFB provides leadership for the USSF education enterprise, managing Guardian development to ensure a combat-capable force in support of national security missions. Responsibilities The Executive Director serves as the principal deputy to the 2-Star STARCOM Commander, providing strategic leadership and executive oversight for all United States Space Force (USSF) education, training, and Guardian development programs. This role drives the strategic vision and redesign of the USSF curricular ecosystem by integrating cutting-edge technology to cultivate highly skilled warfighters. Tasked with full-spectrum management, the incumbent directs a geographically dispersed workforce of over 1,840 personnel and an annual budget exceeding $550 million. Exercising the Commander's full authority, the Executive Director makes final programmatic judgments, commits funds, allocates manpower, and finalizes industry contracts to ensure alignment with Joint Force objectives. Additionally, the role demands robust strategic engagement, requiring the Director to advocate for STARCOM priorities across the Department of War (DoW), the Intelligence Community, and Congress. The incumbent also forges vital alliances with academic institutions, C-suite industry executives, and allied nations to enhance global collaboration and interoperability. Requiring a distinguished leader with extensive experience in large-scale learning strategies and enterprise-level management, this position uniquely influences both the National Space Strategy and the broader national defense establishment. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has education, training, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the education, Technical Qualifications (TQ), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will 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 the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1. Demonstrated experience providing evidence of comprehensive knowledge and ability to provide development strategies and programs, incorporating current and emerging trends involving adult learning theory and cutting-edge educational technology, with a strong emphasis on warfighter readiness, alignment to the organization's overall strategic goals, and data-driven decision making. TQ2. Demonstrated experience providing evidence of comprehensive knowledge and experience to deliver architecture and implementation of a learning and development strategy from the ground up for a large, geographically dispersed organization. Demonstrated evidence of substantial and progressively responsible leadership experience, including a demonstrated ability to manage large-scale budgets, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and drive enterprise-level strategy. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs: ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: 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: 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: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4. Leading People: 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: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Education A bachelor's degree in human resources, business and industry or a similar technical program from an accredited institution is desired. A master's or advanced degree in business, human resources, information technology, data analytics, or related areas is highly desired. Additional Information In addition, DoW requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoW or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives must demonstrate an ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. This information should be embedded within the resume. Tiering: The Department of the Air Force structures its SES positions into tiers to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department. Salary: $151,662.00 - $209,600.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 1) SES members are eligible for bonuses and/or ranks and stipends in addition to annual salary. SES members are eligible for Performance-Based Salary increases and/or bonuses. Area of Consideration: Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, mobility is a condition of employment and appointed SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement. Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties, click here.
