Duties

The Director NHC is the key figure in the National Hurricane Warning Program. The incumbent will serve as the hurricane prediction authority figure for the entire weather enterprise (public and private) and is the spokesperson during hurricane and tropical storm events that pose direct threats to the United States and surrounding countries/territories.

The Director NHC has full responsibility for all NHC activities including providing technical oversight and leadership to all NWS Offices which are part of the United States hurricane warning service. The basic responsibilities include (1) providing forecasts, watches and warnings, based on advanced scientific techniques; (2) effectively communicating the forecasts through the media and by other means, and (3) working with the emergency management communities to assure proper response in life threatening situations. In addition, the incumbent has primary responsibility for the following:

1. Provides warnings for the public and concerned special interests, including national, state and local emergency management communities, DoD, OHS and other entities of threatening hurricanes and tropical storms, and related storm surges. In this capacity, the incumbent is directly concerned with the identification, tracking, and prediction of all Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Eastern North Pacific tropical disturbances and hurricanes as well as the authoritative warnings to the public.
2. Provides year round ocean and marine forecast services for assigned tropical regions in the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean domains.

3. Is responsible for identifying and assessing the impact on short and long-term service problems of the deficiencies in the hurricane warning service area, and for consulting with other agencies and representatives from other countries concerned with disaster planning, emergency management, prevention, and mitigation of damage, and relief eff orts.

4. Makes recommendations to the National Center for Environmental Prediction Director, concerning the initiation, curtailing, or changing programs or parts of programs associated with the U.S. hurricane warning services.

5. Is the primary spokesperson with the media to relay information related to hurricane threats and weather activities.

6. Serves as Chair of the WMO's Regional Association, Regional Specialized Meteorological(RSMC) for tropical analysis. The RSMC forecasts warnings and guidance for its area of responsibility. As Chair, the incumbent is accountable for the: a. Preparation and dissemination of analyses and descriptive off ices: b. Oversees the functioning as a laboratory investigating new and appropriate ways of gathering, analyzing and presenting data for the tropical latitudes to exploit new observations such as those from satellites, aircraft , buoys, etc. and to develop efficient human/computer interactive programs to take advantage of evolving electronic data processing technology.

7. Represents the NWS and the NHC on many technical and planning Committees and serves broadly as a consultant and expert on tropical meteorology and hurricanes.

8. Designated by the White House and the DOC as a Critical Sensitive position. A Top Secret clearance is required as the NHC Director, the Successor to the Secretary of Commerce that resides out of the National Capital Region. The NHC Director must have the capability to continue the missions of the Off ice of the Secretary - Command and Control, in the event of a major disaster that requires him/her to assume the position.

9. Interacts directly with international and other federal, state, county, local governmental agencies, organizations and with individuals in the private sector on matters of mutual concern and the NHC Director responsible for establishing working relationships with these entities, organizations, agencies and individuals.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, you must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability; and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed under "How You Will Be Evaluated." Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or non-governmental organizations.

Key Requirements:
1. Incumbent may be subject to geographic mobility.
2. Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
3. Newly appointed SES members must serve a 1 year probationary period.
4. Position is subject to pre-employment background investigation.
5. Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required).
6. Position is subject to random drug testing.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  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.

  Review our benefits

  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
  
  1. Resume
  
  2. Transcripts (Official or Unofficial) from the institution's registrar; dean or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation which confirms completion of requirement for the required degree.
  
  If you have completed any part of your education outside of the U.S., you must submit the evaluation of your foreign education that has been prepared by an accredited organization. Please refer to http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html for more information.
  
  3. For current Senior Executives or individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your career appointment status in the SES.
  
  4. For current Federal employees: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your current tenure, position title, series and grade level.
  
  5. If you successfully completed the SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM, please provide a copy of your certificate. All required documentation must be provided on or by the closing date of the vacancy (if applicable).
  
  6. ECQ narrative responses should be attached under "Executive Core Qualifications.
  
  7. PTQ narrative responses should be attached under "Mandatory Technical Qualifications.
  
  Applicants who fail to submit requested documents and answer the mandatory questions WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Application will result in an "Incomplete" rating.
  
  If you are unable to upload documents, you may fax your documents using the instructions below. Please fax with the appropriate cover sheet. Please refer to the fax cover sheet for the fax number. Each document must be dialed and faxed in separately as each sheet includes an identification number, which ensures your document is processed correctly.
  
  FAXING INSTRUCTIONS: Please fax legible documents using the appropriate cover sheet. Documents may be faxed at any time during the open period of this announcement by going to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov
  
  1. Log into MYUSAJOBS
  2. Click on "Applications"
  3. Locate the vacancy you applied to
  4. Under "Applicant Status" column, click on "More Information"
  5. Select "View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet" and click "Continue"
  
  Do not submit any additional information that is not required: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.
  
  If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process; answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
  
  To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USA JOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USA JOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
  
  To return to your saved application, log in to your USA JOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
  
  Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying on-line for this position will be able to apply until11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
  
  If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please call 1-877-662-7730 Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST (excluding Federal holidays) for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS. Q
  

  Agency contact information

  Charles McLeod

  Phone

  301-628-1883

  Email

  charles.mcleod@noaa.gov

  Address

  NOAA Office of Human Capital Services (OHCS)
  1315 East West Hwy
  SSMC4
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  US

  Next steps

  The Office of Executive Resources will provide notification of applicant status through periodic emails at the four points of the hiring process, as applicable, in a timely fashion. The four points of notification are: Application Received; Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Not Met; Panel Rating of Best Qualified (Application referred to the Selecting Official) or Panel Rating of Well Qualified/Qualified (Application not referred to Selecting Official); and Selected or Not Selected. The most best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified by email of the receipt of your application.
  
  Applicants can check the status of their application at any time after the announcement closes by accessing USAJOBS website.
  
  Select "My USAJOBS" and enter your ID and password. Click the link titled "Applications" and select the link under "Application Status" next to the name of the announcement. Your status will be updated as changes occur.
  
  The typical SES selection process at NOAA averages 80-85 work days after the announcement closes.
  
  If you have any questions, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist at the telephone number listed in the announcement.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all groups of Qualified Individuals/All-Sources (U.S. Citizens Only).