Duties
As Director of NGS, the incumbent is responsible for providing the managerial, scientific, and technical leadership required to maintain the standards of excellence required of NGS programs and activities. The following is a list of primary responsibilities:
- Provides scientific and technical leadership in the management, development and execution of major programs in geodesy, photogrammetry, and related sciences for the nation in such areas as geodetic and cartographic datum definitions, polar motion, Earth rotation and other interdependent land measurement systems, including research and development.
- Manages the delivery and evolution of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), the nation’s foundation of reference for latitude, longitude, height, velocity, shoreline, gravity throughout the United States; ensures NSRS consistency, accuracy, timeliness, currency, and easy access to support public safety, economic prosperity, and environmental well-being. The NSRS includes a hierarchy of monumented points, a network of Global Positioning System (GPS) Continuously Operating Reference Stations, and the associated data sets that define the geodetic datums, high-resolution geoid models, precise satellite orbits, and the national shoreline.
- Devises and assesses special geodetic and photogrammetric procedures proposed or developed to meet unusual situations imposed on federal agencies to meet national priorities.
- Advises the Assistant Administrator (AA), NOS on acquisition, utilization and integration of resources (including private sector contracting) to meet present and future NGS needs.
- Conducts review and analysis of the accomplishments and effectiveness of NGS programs, objectives and proposals.
- Furnishes authoritative advice to NGS managers and scientists on unusual and complex geodetic scientific problems.
- Oversees provision of technology transfer services to other Federal, state, and local government agencies, the private sector and other nations through the state advisor program, cooperative survey programs, special training activities and other technical assistance.
- Advises the AA, NOS and other NOAA management officials on major program and policy development matters and interrelationships.
- Directs the provision of geodetic control for and maps selected airports, and provide s additional specialized products to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airline industry.
- Represents NOS/NOAA and serves as technical expert on interagency, national and international committees as well as liaison with industry, research institutions, and various professional societies regarding the direction and integration of geodetic science. For example, represents NOAA on the Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), exercising government-wide leadership in the development and improvement of geodetic surveying specifications, methods, instrumentation, and data transfers. A Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance is required in order to participate in some of the above-mentioned activities.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) related to this position within your resume – NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.
Resumes over the 2 page limit will not be reviewed and will be disqualified. Your resume should be 2 pages or fewer and not include images or graphics. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs).
PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
PTQ 1: Knowledge of, and extensive practical experience in, the theory and application of state-of-the-art advances in geodetic science and an understanding of the relationship to closely related disciplines such as remote sensing, cartography, oceanography, and astronomy.
PTQ 2: Demonstrated experience in geodetic, engineering, and/or physical sciences gained through formal practice, investigation or research and applied to complex spatial geodetic problems, improvements to education and training programs, development of new procedures, and/or the implementation of new technology.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and PTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
- Degree: geodesy; or 30 semester hours in any combination of geodesy, mathematics, physics, astronomy, engineering science, surveying, geodetic surveying, photogrammetry, or geophysics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus.
– or –
- Combination of education and experience — course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.
Application deadline: November 18, 2026
Salary range: $151,661 – $228,000 per year
