Job opening: ASTRONOMER
Salary: $84 601 - 131 826 per year
Published at: Jan 31 2025
Employment Type: Full-time
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-12: $101,401 - $131,826
GS-11: $84,601 - $109,975
Duties
You will serve as an ASTRONOMER in the GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) ANALYSIS DIVISION of the U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY (USNO) located in WASHINGTON, D.C.
You will complete daily determination of earth orientation parameters using state-of-the-art methods in software analysis including daily monitoring activities which sometimes occurs on weekends.
You will validate that existing algorithms and inputs that are currently in use at USNO to produce accurate estimates with a focus on UTGPS estimates.
You will maintain, patch, and ensure that GPSAD computer and software assets are compliant with DoD security policies and requirements and division objectives.
You will plan, coordinate, and implement software tests to ensure that compliance is maintained.
Requirements
- 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.
- This is a bargaining unit position.
- 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 A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test.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 and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
- You will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
- You will be required to have or obtain within 4 months of starting the position, and maintain a current Security+ training certification.
Qualifications
GS-12: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, 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 applying a broad knowledge, skill, and practical experience in computer operation and a thorough understanding of, and familiarity with, FORTRAN and other computer languages and the LINUX operating system is also necessary.
Experience developing continued knowledge, skill, and ability in astronomy, physics, celestial mechanics, geophysics, geodesy, engineering, computer programming, or related fields.
Experience using initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.
Experience performing independent research and representing the department at scientific conferences.
GS-11: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, 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 developing and maintaining knowledge in celestial mechanics, orbit determination, geodesy, geophysics, time series analysis, statistics, data analysis software, and computer programming/software design.
Experience originating new techniques in the area of orbit determination, data processing, and time series analysis, in order to develop, transition, and operate USNO capabilities.
Experience formulating new data processing schemes and models that will be used by the international geodetic and astronomical communities.
Experience understanding and using new computer systems with minimum delay.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
Astronomy and Space Science Series 1330
General Schedule Qualification Standards
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
Applicants must meet the following Basic Qualifications Requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
(A) 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.
OR
(B) 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.
There are no educational substitutions for basic requirements. Basic requirements are required for this position. However, the following are educational substitutions for specialized experience.
GS-12: NO SUBSTITUTIONS
GS-11:
Successful completion of 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree
OR
Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable, and must be directly related to the position.
***NOTE: College Transcripts from an accredited University MUST be submitted to show proof the applicant meets ALL education requirements e.g., Basic.
***A transcript must be submitted with your application to verify basic requirements.***
Contacts
- Address NAVOBSERV
3450 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20392-5420
US
- Name: Sharyl Byram
- Email: sharyl.m.byram.civ@us.navy.mil
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