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: $84,601 - $109,975 GS-12: $101,401 - $131,826 Responsibilities You will serve as an ASTRONOMER in the VLBI DIV, EARTH ORIENTATION DEPT., U.S. NAVAL OBSERVATORY, WASHIHNGTON, D.C. You will identify and develop innovative techniques to improve geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) correlation as well as to meet anticipated future requirements You will ensure correlator software and hardware components are working to produce information of required accuracy. You will conduct scientific research, prepare, and publish the results; stay current with relevant literature; and analyze the results of polar motion and Earth rotation observations. You will collect and analyze data. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 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 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 Education Requirements, 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 learning and performing technical, scientific, and data analysis tasks of similar complexity to DiFX correlation as performed at the USNO VLBI correlator. Experience identifying and developing innovative techniques to improve correlation as well as to meet anticipated future requirements. Experience showing the ability to ensure that the correlator software and hardware components are working optimally in order to produce information of the required accuracy for further analysis by USNO staff. Experience resolving data anomalies and improving data quality. Experience conducting independent research and occasionally representing an organization at national and international scientific conferences. Experience in computer operation and thorough understanding of and familiarity with, high level computer languages (FORTRAN, C, C++, python, etc) GS-11: In addition to the Basic Education Requirements, 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 providing procedures, guidance, and guidelines; Experience adapting to procedures and guidelines for application to specific, up-to-date scientific and technical issues and use-cases, e.g. in VLBI or another scientific field. Experience analyzing results and recommend changes as needed to procedures and guidelines. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: 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, 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, 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: NOT APPLICABLE GS-11: 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 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.