Serves as the Clinical Lead (Eyes/Vision) for the Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) program in the Space and Occupational Medicine Branch at the Johnson Space Center. Directs the ocular-related clinical efforts associated with SANS; supports SANS research efforts as a Principal or Associate Investigator in collaboration with SANS scientists; and champions the acquisition, development, and deployment of SANS-related medical diagnostic devices.

Duties

• Provide expertise in operational medicine and space-based research, and collaborate with national and international experts in ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, cardiovascular physiology, nutritional biochemistry, exercise, and neuroradiology.
• Coordinate and participate in ocular examinations for astronauts in space, including visual acuity, fundoscopy, Ocular Coherence Tomography, ocular ultrasound, and the pre-mission training of these specialized tests.
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert during remotely guided ocular testing and data collection of on-orbit crewmembers to ensure quality data and provide an initial analysis and clinical interpretation of test results for research and/or operations.
• Contribute to hardware research, development, test, and evaluation particularly for portable devices for retinal imaging, visual field testing, auto-refraction, and other future initiatives to be determined.
• Participate in laboratory team meetings (i.e., Cardiovascular and Vision Laboratory, Nutritional Biochemistry, etc.) related to current and future research, ocular-related grant proposal development, implementation, data analyses and reporting.
• Participate on the interdisciplinary Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) team for monitoring, assessing, and managing ocular-related human system risks (i.e., SANS).
• Serve as a NASA organization/technical bridge between the operational flight medicine and science research teams.

Requirements

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.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.

Qualifications

You must meet all three requirements listed below; unless you are covered by an exception:

1. The mandatory Basic Requirement shown in the Education section below;
2. Specialized experience and/or directly related education, as shown below, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of this position; and
3. Licensure/Registration requirements.

For the GS-15, you must have level one year of professional optometrist experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level to the GS-14 level:

• Performing project/program management for federal research and development projects;
• Providing technical guidance for laser eye protection and Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).

Preferred Experience:

• Military Aeromedical Officer training or equivalent

AND

Licensure/Registration:

A. Youmust have received a passing score on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry(external link) (NBEO) examinations and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice optometry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

B. Optometrists must possess a current, full and unrestricted license to practice optometry, and maintain a current registration in a state, territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure. The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active, current licensure.

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.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

Education

Basic Requirements:

You must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an educational program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education(external link) (ACOE) at the time the degree was obtained.

U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

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.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

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

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-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 your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Expand Hide additional information

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

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.

Review our benefits

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.