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AST, Research Pilot

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Serves as an aerospace engineer and project/research pilot on NASA Johnson Space Center's aircraft in the Aircraft Operations Division, Flight Operations Directorate. This position involves the piloting of aircraft used in research, development, and test programs; evaluating test parameters and results; performing flight and ground simulations of advanced missions; and actively participating with project engineers and scientists responsible for the development, design, testing, evaluation, and reporting on new aircraft or aircraft systems.

This position is being announced in conjunction with merit promotion vacancy announcement number JS17C0102. Current and former Federal employees, disabled veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities wishing to be considered under merit promotion procedures may apply to vacancy announcement number JS17C0102.

To receive consideration, you must submit a resume and answer NASA-specific questions. The NASA questions appear after you submit your resume and are transferred to the NASA web site. If you successfully apply, USAJOBS will show your application status as 'Received'. If your status is 'Application Status Not Available', you have not successfully applied. Do not rely on a USAJOBS email to confirm successful application. Only an email from NASA confirms a successful application.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/07/2017 to 08/21/2017
Salary
$115,432 to - $150,063 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Houston, TX
1 vacancy
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Announcement number
JS17D0035
Control number
476210800

This job is open to

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Duties

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Serves as an aerospace engineer and project/research pilot on NASA Johnson Space Center's aircraft in the Aircraft Operations Division, Flight Operations Directorate. This position involves the piloting of aircraft used in research, development, and test programs; evaluating test parameters and results; performing flight and ground simulations of advanced missions; and actively participating with project engineers and scientists responsible for the development, design, testing, evaluation, and reporting on new aircraft or aircraft systems.

Specifically:

-Serves as an instructor pilot aboard a high-performance jet trainer, and performs classroom and simulator instructor duties in support of astronaut Space Flight Readiness Training. Space Flight Readiness Training involves piloting high-performance training aircraft while in formation and during high G maneuvers.

-Serves as pilot-in-command or co-pilot aboard a large two-engine business jet and/or a large four engine turbo propeller cargo aircraft flying a variety of missions, and frequently requiring extended domestic or overseas deployment.

-As pilot-in-command, responsible for managing up to 9 crew, supporting passengers during mission support operations, and/or engineers and scientists for airborne science missions.

-Serves as a project team member providing engineering and operational expertise for periodic test and research flight programs, to include aircraft upgrades/modifications and airborne science missions.

-Manages project schedule and budget as required. Supports reviews, such as the Configuration Control Panel, Test Readiness Review, Flight Readiness Review, and Operational Readiness Review meetings for modifications to division aircraft.

-Identifies hazards and reports unsafe acts and procedures. Supports investigation and resolution of aircraft anomalies and mishaps as assigned. Participates in safety inspections and training.

-Provides in-flight support for emergency aircraft, managing flight schedule, and monitoring status of aircraft off-station.

-Communicate effectively with other project pilots and NASA managers to effectively utilize aircrew and aircraft to maximize mission accomplishment.

-Manages training for assigned aircrew and conducts aircraft-specific Crew Resource Management training.

-Maintains aircraft flight manuals/checklists, aircraft specific standard operating procedures, annual proficiency exam, and conducts quarterly continuation training.

-Recommends aircraft upgrades and submits task requests to the Division's Engineering Branch. Monitors and provides aircrew input for all aircraft upgrades.

-Plans aircraft deployments and coordinates travel requirements for all travelers. Ensures deploying aircrew have requisite training and documentation.

-Complies with safety and occupational health standards, rules, regulations and policies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This is a drug-testing designated position
  • Successful completion of a security investigation will be required
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
  • Selectee must be able to obtain/maintain Top Secret/SCI security clearance
  • Selectee must be able to pass a Class I Flight physical


U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade, which has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

Your resume must clearly demonstrate the specialized experience listed below.

Specialized experience is defined as professional working experience that included the following:

-Possess a minimum of 1500 hours of pilot-in-command (or first pilot) flight time in high-performance jet aircraft. Aircraft that would qualify as high-performance are aircraft capable of flying in excess of 5G's, aerobatic maneuvers, and close formation.
-Professional qualifications as a pilot of high-performance jet aircraft, with equivalent knowledge of the operational environment in which they function.
-Experience with the principles of aerospace engineering with respect to research and/or test flight operations.
-Skill in planning and coordinating aircraft missions and aircraft evaluation projects, including test plan preparation.
-Experience applying technical project management including planning, scheduling, and managing technical requirements involving high-performance aircraft.
-Experience with established aviation safety training principles and procedures.
-Ability to communicate orally, and in writing, to present technical information to all levels of management.

This position requires a minimum of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating.

A FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate is highly desired.

Flight Instructor experience in high-performance jet aircraft is highly desired.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experiences copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education


Basic Education Requirement: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.

You must indicate your major as well as your degree in order to receive full consideration.

Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional, accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment.

Most foreign education is not accredited by an accrediting body that is recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

Any applicant tentatively selected for this position may be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. See 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for definition of well qualified. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP consideration must indicate their eligibility when applying for a position. The USAJOBS resume asks you to identify your ICTAP eligibility; the NASA Supplemental Information asks you to identify your CTAP eligibility. If you are selected for the position, you must be prepared to submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. In order to receive preference in hiring, you must clearly identify your claim for veterans preference on your resume.

NASA's Applicant Guide provides the information needed to assist you in determining whether or not you can claim 5 or 10 point veterans preference. You should not submit documents to prove your eligibility for veterans preference at this time. However, you must be prepared to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form) as requested by the Human Resources Office. Veterans preference will only be considered based on what is supported For instance, if you claim 10-point preference, but are only able to document 5-point preference, you will be considered accordingly. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

Your USAJOBS account asks you to assign a name to each of your resumes. When you apply to a NASA position, we will show you the text of the resume you have submitted, but we do not maintain the name you have assigned to that resume. If you wish to keep track of that information, we recommend you make note of it at the time you apply.


Fair Employment Opportunities for Applicants
NASA Credit for National Service

Frequent travel may be required.

A one-year probationary period may be required.

As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made.

The payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

NASA uses an automated system (Resumix) that matches the competencies extracted from your resume to the competencies identified by the selecting official for the position. Based on the competencies you match, you are placed in one of three categories identified as 90, 80, or 70 pt. quality categories, which are defined as:

90 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and has experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

80 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

70 pt. Category - Fails to meet criteria described in the 80 pt. category.

Additional application guidance is available in NASA's Applicant Guide.

Information for Veterans: The Category Rating Process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed at the top of the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

For the purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), candidates rated in the top quality category are considered well-qualified

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