Duties
- You will serve as an Astronomer in the Earth Orientation Parameter(EOP) Combination and Prediction Division, Earth Orientation Department (N3EO), U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), WASHINGTON, DC.
- You will participate in the development and execution of (EO) parameter operations.
- You will process and analyze EOP input data time series and improve complex software for polar motion, Universal Time and nutation using Very Long Baseline Interferometry, analysis of orbits of GPS satellites, and other data input series.
- You will participate in geodesy-related research such as analyzing geophysical data and models for applicability to improving estimation and prediction of EOPs.
- You will participate in a wide variety of communication including writing/presenting scientific and technical material; creating SOPs; documenting software; and collaborating with USNO/Dod scientists and experts.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a US Citizen.
- Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
- Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
- New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
- Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final TOP SECRET SCI security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
- Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
- This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS.
- You may be required to complete a Security+ training certification or equivalent in order to carry out Scientific Computer Systems duties. The incumbent should be able to obtain certification within 4 months of starting the position.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIRMENTS:
- Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics. (Transcripts must be provided)
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, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Experience
GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, 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:
- Experience planning very significant projects, advising on improvement of instrumentation, software, or procedural methods;
- Experience ensuring specialized equipment and software is identified, procured (if necessary), modified, installed, and meets all IA and division requirements.
- Experience analyzing, validating, and reviewing EOP data inputs to currently existing algorithms that are currently in use at USNO produce accurate EOPs, namely, UT1-UT1 (astronomical time), polar motion, and nutation offsets.
- Experience with high level computer languages such as C, C++, FORTRAN, and Python
- Experience documenting technical notes, preparing scientific papers, and presenting the results of research at scientific meetings.
GS-11: In addition to the basic requirements listed above, 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:
- Experience analyzing, validating, and reviewing EOP data inputs
- Experience with high level computer languages such as C, C++, FORTRAN, and Python
- Experience developing and executing astronomy operations.
- Experience documenting technical notes, preparing scientific papers, and presenting the results of research at scientific meetings.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: Astronomy and Space Science Series 1330 (opm.gov)
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.
Additional Information
THIS IS A DIRECT HIRE ANNOUNCEMENT. This announcement is a DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD/Modified Direct Hire Authority of the Department of Defense to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service.
Occasional evening/weekend/holiday work is required
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
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.