This is the position of Information Technology Specialist (APPSW) in the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) Project, High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The ADS maintains an API and rich web client which provides access to a database of scholarly publications containing more than 13 million carefully curated records. Our web client is used daily worldwide by professional astronomers, librarians, students, and the general public.
Summary
This is the position of Information Technology Specialist (APPSW) in the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) Project, High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. The ADS maintains an API and rich web client which provides access to a database of scholarly publications containing more than 13 million carefully curated records. Our web client is used daily worldwide by professional astronomers, librarians, students, and the general public.
This position is open to all qualified candidates. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 13. Selection for this position to be made at the grade 09, 11, 12 or 13 level. Candidates may be non competitively promoted to the next grade level , up to grade 13, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee.
In collaboration with project management and stakeholders, design visually appealing, intuitive, and accessible user interfaces that help to make our set of complex APIs simple to interact with and understand.
Develop and maintain user stories, wireframes, specifications and other design tools/documentation.
Communicate with users to understand their needs and use that knowledge to drive the design process.
In collaboration with senior developers, help implement components of the ADS user interface as a web application.
Perform other duties as may be required.
Duties above duties at the grade 11 may include but are not limited to:
1. Design visually appealing, intuitive, and accessible user interfaces that help to make our set of complex APIs simple to interact with and understand.
2. Gather data from usability studies, develop and maintain user stories, wireframes, specifications and other design tools/documentation.
3. Implement components of the ADS user interface as a web application.
In addition to the duties above , duties at the grade 12 may include but are not limited to:
1. Design and implement components of the ADS user interface as a web application
In addition to the duties above duties at the grade 13 may include but are not limited to:
1. Communicate with users to understand their needs and use that knowledge to drive the design process.
For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. 1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. 3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. 4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
AND
Candidates for the grade 09 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 07 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as knowledge of HTML and CSS/SASS/LESS; knowledge of javascript and node.js; knowledge of user-centered design process, including sketches, wire-framing, user stories and design patterns and ability to create solid, usable user interfaces; and ability in UI/UX design in a technical environment.
Candidates for grade 11 must possess minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as advanced technical knowledge of HTML and CSS/SASS/LESS; knowledge of at least one of the major Javascript frameworks such as React/Redux or Vue/Vuex; ability in designing and implementing web-based applications; ability to conduct Usability Studies or participating in other user-oriented data-gathering activities.
Candidates for grade 12 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as proficient knowledge of Javascript, node.js and at least one of the major Javascript frameworks such as React/Redux or Vue/Vuex; skill in user-centered design process, including sketches, wire-framing, user stories and design patterns and in creating solid, usable user interfaces; skill in UI/UX design in a technical environment and in the design and implementation of a web-based project or application; skill in conducting Usability Studies or participating in other user-oriented data-gathering activities.
Candidates for grade 13 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as knowledge of web standards and technologies such as HTTP, REST, JSON, XML, and WCAG.
Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
Grade 09: 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree grade 9: master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or
Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualification will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Knowledge of HTML and CSS/SASS/LESS.
Knowledge of user-centered design process, including sketches, wire-framing, user stories and design patterns and ability to create solid, usable user interfaces
Knowledge of Javascript and node.js
Ability in UI/UX design in a technical environment
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.
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.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: If you are applying for the position and do not have a social security number please contact Mary Hebert at 617-496-7816
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button
Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine.
Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time.
To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully, which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses, but may pay a Recruitment Bonus.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: If you are applying for the position and do not have a social security number please contact Mary Hebert at 617-496-7816
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button
Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine.
Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
Clicking the "DONE" tab does not submit your application. The "DONE" tab allows you to exit the system and save your information for completion at a later time.
To submit your application, click the "FINISH" tab.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
SMITHSONIAN
Human Resources
60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138
Mail Stop 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully, which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses, but may pay a Recruitment Bonus.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
