Full Description

Summary

As the Lead Quality Assurance Specialist in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Exploration Ground Systems Division, Quality Assurance Branch at Kennedy Space Center, you will lead, plan, develop, administer, evaluate, and coordinate a comprehensive quality assurance program supporting assigned aerospace programs and projects. In this role, you will also lead a team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload among employees to ensure efficient and timely mission support.

Duties

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Assesses existence, adequacy, compliance, and effectiveness of the support contractor's Quality Management Systems activities. Collaborates with quality engineering to establish a feasible quality program and develops assessment processes using tools such as surveillance, sampling, audits, audit checklists, and other methodologies necessary. Leads the team in identifying, distributing, and balancing workload among employees; arranges for team member training; monitors and reports on the status and progress of work. Evaluates existing Government Quality models for effectiveness and efficiency. Works with quality engineering to modify existing (or develop/implement new) quality models according to risk-based methodologies and program requirements. Participates in working groups at the Program, Agency, and other government organizations in the development of aerospace systems, quality assurance guidelines, and Safety and Mission Assurance directives in support of assigned programs and projects. Performs Government Mandatory Inspection Points (GMIPs), In-Line Assessments (ILAs), audits, final acceptance of flight hardware, receiving inspections, and review of Acceptance Data Packs. Reviews and approves contractors' plans and procedures for compliance with quality assurance requirements, resolves contractors' problems of interpreting and conforming to NASA policies and standards. Monitors ongoing operations and assures satisfactory scheduling to support around-the-clock processing of flight hardware. Coordinates with contractors to address technical concerns, nonconformances, and provide process/technical guidance on issues. Verifies contractors’ products/services comply with contract requirements, ensuring products are produced per design documentation, drawings, and specifications, while maintaining good working relations with contractor counterparts.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. This position may require a one-year probationary. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. See Additional Information section You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements. Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level

Leading or advising a group or team performing quality assurance oversight/insight activities on a project or program; Coordinating resource management and ensuring the execution of quality assurance programs, requirements, and processes; Performing quality assurance activities such as critical inspections, audits, assessments, surveillance inspections, contract quality assurance, and evaluation of Quality Management Systems on flight hardware or similar programs.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must

Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility. Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https: //www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary/Trial Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider

your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.