Summary This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer. GS-11 = $85,447 - $111,087 GS-12 = $102,415 - $133,142 Responsibilities You will serve as an ASTRONOMER in the Earth Orientation Department (EO), GPS Analysis Division of the U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY (USNO). You will participate in GPS and GNSS analysis activities such as estimating satellite orbits, receiver-and satellite-clock corrections, positions of the Earth's rotation pole, UT1 values, and other related quantities from GPS and GNSS measurements. You will be responsible for the daily determination of Earth orientation parameters from GPS and GNSS observations using state of-the-art methods in software analysis including daily monitoring activities. You will design, code, test, and implement required software programs, and evaluate/update existing programs. You will validate that existing algorithms and inputs that are currently in use at USNO produce accurate estimates from GPS and GNSS estimates. You will write and present scientific/technical material to DOD, national, and international audiences and create/update standard operating procedures. You will develop and maintain knowledge in celestial mechanics, orbit determination, geodesy, geophysics, time series analysis, statistics, data analysis software, and computer programming/software design. You will plan, coordinate, and implement software tests to ensure that compliance is maintained. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In addition to the BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS to qualify for a GS-11, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience and possess knowledge in celestial mechanics, orbit determination, geodesy, geophysics, time series analysis, statistics, data analysis software, and/or computer programming/software design. Experience accomplishing timely analysis and implementation of new processing methods. Experience originating new techniques in the area of orbit determination, data processing, and/or time series analysis, to develop, transition, and execute USNO capabilities. Experience formulating new data processing schemes and models that will be used by the international geodetic and astronomical communities. Experience in and must be familiar with a wide variety of astronomical, geodetic and/or geophysical data and with the associated analysis procedures. In addition to the BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS to qualify for a GS-12, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience planning significant projects, advising on instrumentation improvements, software, or procedural methods; and ensures that specialized equipment and software is identified, procured (if necessary), modified, installed, and meets all IA and division requirements. Experience serving as an advisor to other scientists, specializing in areas such as analysis of orbits of GPS satellites, signals of GNSS satellites, and other data or processes. Experience in the daily determination of Earth orientation parameters using state-of-the-art methods in software analysis including daily monitoring activities which sometimes occur on weekends. Experience using software employing complex algorithms to estimate GPS satellite orbits, receiver-and satellite-clock corrections, positions of the earth's rotation pole, UT1 values, and other related quantities from GPS measurements. USNO's software consists of a unique combination of USNO developed automation routines and high-precision GPS-processing software packages developed by USNO and external scientific organizations. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/astronomy-and-space-science-series-1330/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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. Education BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, engineering or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, engineering and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: In addition to the basic education requirements, applicants may substitute the following education for the required experience, provided it demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position: GS-12: There is no education substitution for this series/grade combination GS-11: Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be combined to meet the total qualification requirements. If you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you must submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. IF CLAIMING EDUCATION, FAILURE TO SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS/ITEMIZED LIST WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. See OPM's General Policies for information on crediting education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the qualification requirements if the applicant can provide documentation indicating that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence when applying for further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information This announcement uses the Certain Personnel of the DoD direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Occasional CONUS and OCONUS travel, less than 10%, is required. Occasional evening/weekend work is required. The ability to lift and move approximately 30 pounds may be required to work on astronomical instrumentation and computer equipment. A Security+ training certification is required in order to carry out Systems Operations duties. Vacancies filled from this announcement may be filled at any grade level listed. If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Several vacancies may be filled. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf. Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.
