As the Chemistry Technical Lead in the Analytical Laboratories Branch, you will be responsible for chemical and scientific investigations in materials engineering in one or more of the following areas: optical emission spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, and/or scanning electron microscopy with energy and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, raman spectroscopy and/or gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

Duties

Serves as the expert in chemical safety, industrial hygiene, and safety supporting the directorate’s safety and review board. Conducts and directs studies/tests to evaluate the usefulness of a diverse number of chemical laboratory and scientific investigation instruments to determine cause and effect pertaining to materials failure of spaceflight hardware and materials. Reviews and evaluates plans for chemical analysis and assures that results can be expected to be aligned with purpose to be served. Ensures team complies with KSC Health and Safety standards and initiatives in all laboratories, research, and development activities. Assists with the management of technical risk mitigation associated with meeting project milestones and chemical investigation deadlines including any safety concerns. Provides technical guidance for preparing and making presentations on chemical investigations results to safety, review, and investigation boards. Applies state-of-the-art knowledge to the development of new and innovative chemical analysis methodologies for aerospace substances including gases, chemicals, and materials such as metals, intermetallics, ceramics, polymers and composites. Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champions NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity and teamwork.

Requirements

• Current Federal employees must meet qualifications, time in grade, and 90 days after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• The 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.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• This announcement may be used to fill other vacancies across Kennedy Space Center.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Developing and performing chemical and analytical instrument laboratory testing requirements for investigations and scientific principles, practices and analyses; Providing characterization of unknown materials and contaminants from aerospace flight hardware and ground support equipment; Implementing policy and procedures to ensure operations align with Federal, NASA and KSC safety, health and environmental policies and requirements. 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

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:

a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Contacts

• Address Kennedy Space Center Space Commerce Way Titusville, FL 32899 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]