National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Explosives Safety Specialist
National Aeronautics & Space Administration, Huntsville, AL
DutiesManages components of explosives safety program(s) including appropriate ordnance safety precautions, security procedures, and documentation requirements.Coordinates and concurs with requests for deviations and waivers, and serves as the approval/validation authority for all explosive licenses.Serves as expert advisor to the supervisor and other Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) office managers on explosives technical matters associated with spot inspection of test operations, and monitoring and surveillance of pyrotechnics.Advises Center management on the programmatic health of the Explosives/Propellants/Pyrotechnic Safety Program. Works closely with and utilizes data and information formulated to render explosive safety advice, consultation, and assistance.Advises on or resolves technical matters dealing with explosives/ordnance safety requirements; determines appropriate marking, packaging, storage, and shipping requirements; serves as a member of an explosive safety qualification certification board.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 Conditions of EmploymentCurrent Federal employees must meet qualifications, time in grade, and 90 days after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of the announcement.If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation.Selected applicant(s) must be assigned to the duty location listed on the announcement. 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-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level:
Verifying quality of materials and supplies to meet requirements in support of NASA's mission, project, program activities;Coordinating with outside agencies on the movement of explosive/pyrotechnic related material; andProviding oversight and implementation of explosive safety and quality processes within systems impacted by the quality of products and/or services provided.
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 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 informationAdditional 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.
You must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible for this position. To be eligible, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in a position no more than 1 grade lower than the advertised position. (Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. If your eligibility for both merit promotion and/or time-in-grade cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.)Note: Time-in-grade requirements also apply to applicants who have held a non-temporary, competitive service GS position in the past year.
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.
- Be well qualified for this position to receive consideration. Candidates rated in the 'Best Qualified' category are considered well-qualified. Please see 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for more information.
- 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://
Qualified NASA term employees who have term conversion eligibility (Term Appointments | NASA) under the NASA Flexibility Act of 2004 will be referred and considered equally with other NASA permanent employees under internal competitive placement procedures.
This is a bargaining unit position. If additional selections are made, those positions may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA. Help
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 benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
Attention to DetailCustomer ServiceAmmunition and ExplosivesTechnical CompetenceInstitutional Logistics, Supply and TransportationPyrotechnicsWorkplace Safety
NASA considers 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Under NASA's quality grouping process, applicants will be assessed on the position competencies and placed in one of three groups identified and defined below:
Best Qualified Group - Applicants who demonstrate a superior level of all evaluation criteria.Highly Qualified Group - Applicants who demonstrate a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.Qualified Group - Applicants who demonstrate the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Candidates eligible for ICTAP/CTAP, reemployment priority or priority consideration will be referred before other candidates, as necessary. If no such candidates apply or are eligible to be referred, the following candidates will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration:
Best Qualified merit promotion candidates. Highly Qualified merit promotion candidates may also be referred, if additional candidates are needed.Qualified candidates eligible for consideration under Schedule A or VRA in accordance with veterans' preference rules, as applicable.Qualified candidates that are eligible for special hiring authorities or non-competitive hiring authorities.
NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.