Summary Established by the FY2020 NDAA within the Department of the Air Force, the United States Space Force (USSF) organizes, trains, and equips forces to secure space operations, support national leadership, and enhance joint force lethality through offensive and defensive capabilities. Within this framework, the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data provides executive leadership and oversight to advance USSF cyber operations, cybersecurity, and data initiatives. Responsibilities As the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, the incumbent provides high-level executive leadership, managerial direction, and strategic oversight to advance the United States Space Force (USSF) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) cyber, data, and digital capabilities. The primary responsibilities of this role span across several critical domains: Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning. The incumbent directs the formulation and execution of long-range strategic plans for SF/S6 programs. This includes forecasting resources and technology capabilities to build, sustain, and enhance cyberspace operational forces, cyber-enabled space forces, and warfighter communications. By leveraging DAF authorities, the leader integrates cyberspace capabilities into space systems and oversees electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) support, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and enterprise-wide data management and governance. Program Direction & Resource Management. Serving as the Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution (PPBE) champion for cyber and data, the incumbent oversees SF/S6 functions. This involves defining policies, standards, and metrics for data, artificial intelligence (AI), and software innovation, and integrating these elements into USSF warfighting, business, and intelligence operations. The leader prioritizes organizational objectives, manages documentation workflows, and ensures clear communication channels are maintained between senior leadership and subordinate staff to keep personnel aligned with critical decisions. Professional, Technical, & Liaison Representation. The incumbent provides top-tier technical leadership, identifying complex issues, directing special studies, and maintaining deep situational awareness of Joint Cyberspace Operations, Combatant Commander plans, and performance metrics. To build support for Directorate requirements, the leader collaborates closely with high-level officials across the Department of Defense, federal and foreign government agencies, and major international corporations. In the supervisor's absence, the incumbent represents the directorate across key boards, corporate reviews, and steering groups, collaborating with the Joint Staff, OSD, Congress, the Intelligence Community, industry partners, and academia. Supervisory & Personnel Management. The position is responsible for monitoring organizational progress and directing a diverse team of executive leaders, military personnel, and senior civilian employees (NH-04 equivalents). The incumbent dynamically adjusts work plans, schedules, and resources to meet mission goals while ensuring strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the leader is vital to talent acquisition and workforce development, shaping career field management, education, and specialized training programs in cyberspace, data, and AI for the entire USSF workforce. 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 executive leadership directing enterprise-wide cyberspace operations, cyber-enabled space capabilities, electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data management for a large, complex organization. Proven ability to lead highly technical and geographically dispersed teams. Skilled at integrating advanced technologies including cloud, zero-trust, data and AI/ML to transform digital operations and deliver resilient, mission-aligned capabilities. Experience synchronizing efforts across diverse teams the Department of the Air Force, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, and interagency partners to ensure unity of effort and enterprise readiness. TQ2: Demonstrated expertise shaping enterprise direction through long-range strategic planning, policy development, governance, metrics, and standards for cyber forces, IT modernization, and data/AI. Proven ability to establish and oversee enterprise governance for cyber/IT, data, and AI to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and integration into warfighting and enterprise missions. Mastery of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, including leading resource strategy, budget formulation, and execution, and communicating strategic requirements, risks, and trade-offs to leaders across the Department of War, Congress, and the Executive Branch to drive enterprise-level decisions. 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 Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Technology / Cybersecurity / STEM 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 - $219,000.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 2) 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. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties, click here.
