Explosives Safety Specialist

Summary

As an Explosives Safety Specialist at the Kennedy Space Center, you will be responsible for providing oversight of explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnic use and make recommendations on siting of new and existing facilities, programs, and projects. You will support the Explosive Safety Officer ensuring execution of explosives, propellants, and the pyrotechnics safety program to protect personnel and property from the hazards of explosives and energetic materials.

Duties



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• Works with managers at Patrick and Vandenberg Space Force Bases to ensure commonality of requirements at Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Maintains contact with other government entities to remain current on developments in explosive safety policy.
• Supports the Explosive Safety Officer (ESO) managing the KSC Explosives Safety Program. Advises and resolves technical matters with explosives safety requirements. Proposes explosives requirements and criteria for complex or high value projects.
• Supports the Center Explosives Safety Committee. Reviews all operating procedures for compliance to handle, store and transport explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. Provides explosives subject matter expertise in mishap investigations.
• Works closely with and utilizes information formulated by engineers and scientists to render explosive safety advice and assistance. Strives to help mitigate or eliminate explosives safety hazards in new or existing programs or projects.
• Advises Center managers as a back up to the ESO on technical issues related to safety and the health of the explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnic safety program. Helps develop explosive safety policy for local and Agency ordnance applications.
• Calculates explosive quantity distances for multiple hazard classes. Performs qualitative analysis of existing structures to determine the safe explosive capacity and recommends repairs or alternations.
• Serves as subject matter expert for explosive licenses and site plans. Evaluates requests for deviations/waivers and reports to ESO. Supports annual explosive safety inspection program including field surveys to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Participates in technical interchange meetings and provides explosives safety information on program/project requirements. Evaluates operational plans and study results, and provides technical data, findings, and guidance. Recommends design changes.
  
  

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 period. 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.
• 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 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-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

• Assisting in the review of operational plans, technical studies, or program requirements to ensure alignment with explosives safety criteria, requirements, and policies;
• Applying established safety regulations and standards to the storage, handling, transportation, and use of explosives, propellants, or pyrotechnics;
• Supporting the analysis of explosive hazards, such as hazard classifications, effects, and/or basic risk mitigation measures, to help prevent or reduce mishaps in programs or facilities.
  
  

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.
• 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

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

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one (1) - 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 yourprobationary 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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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.