Summary
About the Position: Serves as Branch Chief, Force Projection and Sustainment Branch, Research and Engineering Division, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). This position is being filled as a Supervisory Interdisciplinary DB-04 (GS-12/14), which may be filled under any of the listed Job Family Series.
Responsibilities
Serves as Branch Chief supervising a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel.
Fosters and maintains a positive, collaborative, and productive work environment for all branch personnel.
Provides mentorship, training, and professional development guidance to scientists and engineers within the branch.
Leads the development and execution of research initiatives in polar engineering, infrastructure, materials, science, mobility, robotics, and soils.
Creates and develops new work programs in specialized technical fields such as robotics, pavements, and soils engineering.
Facilitates the transfer of research findings, software, data, and other products to relevant stakeholders, customers, and end-users.
Constructs long-range strategic plans for research and development programs to align with organizational goals.
Manages the overall workflow of the branch, including assigning duties, setting performance goals, and conducting performance assessments for staff development.
Directs and manages all research activities, personnel, and facility operations within the branch.
Negotiates project terms with internal and external customers to develop work programs.
Functions as the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring continuous engagement and communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Delivers presentations and communicates research findings and technical information to customers and internal leadership.
Collaborates with senior laboratory leadership, providing expert technical advice and business insight to support the mission.
Pursues new research program opportunities and work programs to secure funding and resources.
Prepares and processes all necessary documentation to obtain laboratory approval and formalize work acceptance in accordance with organizational procedures.
Qualifications
Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Civilian Employees of the Command Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement: To qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Requirement for each job series in addition to required experience. Engineer, 0801, 0806, 0810, 0830, 0850 series: all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf (opm.gov) Architecture, 0808 series: Architecture Series 0808 (opm.gov) Physical Scientist, 1301 series: General Physical Science Series, 1301 (opm.gov) Physics, 1310 series: Physics Series, 1310 (opm.gov) Geophysicist, 1313 series: Geophysics Series, 1313 (opm.gov) Hydrologist, 1315 series: Hydrology Series, 1315 (opm.gov) Geologist, 1350 series: Geology Series 1350 (opm.gov) In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the below experience: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the DB-04 (GS-12/14) grade level or equivalency, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the DB-02 (GS-11) level in Federal service which includes: 1) Leading and directing complex Research and Development programs in specialized technical fields, including polar engineering, materials science, infrastructure, mobility, robotics, and soils; 2) Developing and leading interdisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and technicians addressing research challenges and managing personnel issues; 3) Securing funding for major research initiatives by negotiating with various customers, sponsors, and stakeholders across federal, academic, and private sectors; and 4) Preparing and delivering high-stakes technical briefings, publishing findings, and representing the organization's programs and strategic vision. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Leadership Oral Communication Organizational Awareness Planning and Evaluating Research This position is covered by the Science and Technology Laboratory Personnel Management Demonstration Project at the DB-04 (equivalent to GS-12/14). In accordance with the Federal Register Vol. 63, No. 57, dated March 25, 1998, an employee of the Laboratory Demonstration project must have a current average performance score of 2.5 or above in order to be selected for promotion. All applicants currently employed under a Laboratory Demonstration Project must include their most recent performance appraisal score as part of their electronic resume. If you are a Lab Demo employee submitting your resume for the first time, or if you have previously submitted your resume without your most recent score, you must submit your resume now with the following statement to be included in the section on your training: Current Performance Rating 2.5. Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11). This announcement MAY be used to fill like vacancies six months from the closing date. All qualification requirements, including time after competitive appointment, must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been 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/.