The Senior Executive Service (SES) is comprised of the men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of government. Members of the SES serve in the key positions just below the top Presidential appointees. SES members are the major link between these appointees and the rest of the Federal work force. The SES includes most managerial, supervisory, and policy positions classified above General Schedule (GS) grade 15 or equivalent positions in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government.

Vacant SES positions are posted on www.USAjobs.gov. In addition to your resume, applicants must provide examples of their leadership skills by addressing five executive core qualifications identified and defined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications (http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/handbook.asp) provides detailed information about executive qualifications and tips for writing effective qualification statements. The NASA SES Career Development Program (CDP) is a structured development program designed to prepare individuals for future service in NASA's SES. NASA's SESCDP fulfills Office of Personnel Management (OPM) merit principles and requirements as well as NASA's projected needs for individuals who have high potential for assuming executive responsibilities. This 12-24 month program provides a series of intensive developmental experiences which include formal courses and seminars, developmental work assignments, management experience (if none previously), and individual mentoring from current SES members. In addition to OPM's requirements, NASA expects its candidates to complete broadening assignments to give them a greater understanding of the Agency as a whole and its role in the federal government. Individuals who have primarily worked in a Center environment are required to spend part of their development time at Headquarters. Conversely, individuals who have worked primarily at NASA Headquarters are required to spend part of their development time at a Center or multiple Centers. While the SESCDP is expected to be an important source of candidates for SES positions, successful completion of the program does not guarantee selection for such a position. The Agency initiates a call for candidates to apply to the SESCDP through USAJobs which is typically done every two years. Additional information can be found at http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/Training/devprogs/SESCDP.htm.

Before you can be appointed into the SES, OPM must certify/approve all ECQs and the NASA Administrator must approve the appointment.

For ST:
The Scientific or Professional (ST) is a unique category of Federal jobs which covers non-executive positions classified above the GS-15 level, and involves performance of high-level research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences, or a closely-related field. Each ST position has its own particular set of qualification requirements. The special qualifications, stature, and contributions of the individual placed in a given position will also have a direct and major impact on the level of difficulty and responsibility of the work. Typically, applicants for ST positions are expected to have a graduate degree, significant research experience, and a national or international reputation in his/her field.

Vacant positions may be posted on www.usajobs.gov or a GS15 employee may be noncompetitively converted.

All ST appointments must be approved by the NASA Associate Administrator after receiving concurrence from the NASA ST Review Board.

For SL:
The Senior Level (SL) category of high level Federal jobs was established in 1990 to replace GS-16, 17, and 18 of the General Schedule. All NASA GSFC SL employees are in non-executive positions whose duties are broad and complex enough to be classified above GS 15.

All vacant SL positions are advertised on www.usajobs.gov. Each SL position has its own particular set of qualification requirements and each vacancy announcement will describe the application requirements for the particular position to be filled.

All SL appointments must be approved by the NASA Associate Administrator after receiving concurrence from the NASA SL Review Board.

Suggested Enrichment Training:

• Coaching
• Mentoring
• DDP (Diversity Dialogue Project)
• DNI (Diversity and Inclusion)