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-12: $101,401-$131,826

GS-11: $84,601-$109,975

Duties

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• You will serve as an ASTRONOMER in the EARTH ORIENTATION PARAMETER COMBINATION AND PREDICTION (EOPCP) AND GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) ANALYSIS DIVISION of the U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY (USNO) located in WASHINGTON, D.C.
• You will participate in the development and execution of Earth orientation parameter operations.
• You will analyze, validate, and review EOP data inputs to currently existing algorithms that are currently in use at USNO to produce accurate EOPs, namely, UT1-UT1 (astronomical time), polar motion, and nutation offsets.
• You will participate in training and review work performed by lower-graded scientists and members of the Operations Center to ensure proper dissemination of EOP information to the public and DoD.
• You will coordinate and implement software tests to ensure that any software or procedural changes are technically accurate, correct, and comply with Information Assurance (IA} and EOP C/P and GPS Analysis division objectives.
• You will maintain, patch, and ensure that EOP computer and software assets meet IA compliance and EOP C/P Division objectives.

Requirements

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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.
• 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 technical knowledge of astronomy and/or geodesy, which consists of a background in physics and mathematics with a preferred specialized study in astronomy, data fusion or optimal estimation techniques, and/or geodesy.
• Experience accomplishing timely analysis and utilization of new geodetic data in the analysis and prediction of the Earth's orientation in space.
• Experience participating in EOP C/P operations and to develop new methods, approaches, and/or procedures to solve difficult, complex, and possibly unique problems.
• Experience performing independent research and occasionally representing the department at national and international 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-9 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 knowledge of astronomy and/or geodesy, which consists of a background in physics and mathematics with a preferred specialized study in astronomy, data fusion or optimal estimation techniques, and/or geodesy.
• Experience applying knowledge in computer operations and a thorough understanding of and familiarity with high level computer languages (FORTRAN, C, C++, python, etc.) is necessary.
• Experience understanding and using LINUX computer systems with minimum delay.
• Experience developing and executing EOP operations.

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.***

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.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.

A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.

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.

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.

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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.

Benefits

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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.

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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.