This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/613496300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The incumbent will work under the broad administrative direction of the SMA Director and will work also with other Cambridge-based SMA staff to implement projects and related programs of the highest scientific merit. The incumbent will also be responsible for implementing developments currently underway at the observatory on Mauna Kea and will also participate in the planning of future instrument upgrades.
Learn more about this agency09/09/2021 to 09/23/2021
$132,066 - $171,686 per year
GS 15
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - This position will be based in Hilo, Hawaii, and the incumbent will be expected to travel to the SMA observatory site on Mauna Kea, and to SMA headquarters in Cambridge as required. Additionally, national and international travel may be required for meetings, conferences, etc.
No
Permanent - Career/Career-Conditional. Permanent - Federal
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
15
Yes
No
21-60
613496300
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Open to all qualified candidates residing on the island of Hawaii.
Directs the day-to-day operations of the SMA by providing administrative and technical management of a diverse technical staff comprising engineers, scientists, and technicians as well as other non-technical personnel and sub-contractors. Formulates operational and maintenance plans to ensure efficient operation of the array so that the scientific objectives are not compromised and the overall mission goals are met.
Provides personnel administration for SMA Hilo-based operations and engineering staff by ensuring competitive recruitment, training, employee development, and timely and effective performance reviews. Reviews job applications, conducts interviews of prospective employees, and submits recommendations to the SMA Director for final selection. Advises, counsels, and instructs individual employees on both work and administrative matters. Hears complaints and grievances and, when possible, resolves conflicts locally.
Coordinates the installation at Mauna Kea of critical telescope equipment including receivers, electronic systems, and spectrometers that are developed and fabricated for the SMA at SAO and ASIAA laboratories. Works with Cambridge-based SMA staff to develop and execute acceptance plans and procedures required to qualify upgrades to the array. Participates in major decisions associated with the development of the SMA Program Plan, including long-range planning in the development of the array and other projects.
Assists the SMA Director in the development of overall SMA program budgets, including formulation of the required justification for inclusion in the Smithsonian's annual submission to Congress. Develops and manages appropriate procedures for the execution of approved budgets, including the implementation of fiscal controls and monitoring and reporting procedures.
Develops and presents technical and management briefings of the SMA site activities and operations status at meetings with University of Hawaii, the Office of Mauna Kea Management, and at other Mauna Kea based observatories to enable efficient operation of the SMA within an ever-changing environment.
Maintains a leadership role in the field of millimeter and submillimeter instrumentation, prepares papers documenting research results for publication in scientific or technical journals. Presents results at scientific or technical meetings and conferences, and within the CfA.
Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the
web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
In addition to meeting basic qualification requirements, candidates must possess at least one year of professional specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level. This experience includes activities such as managing the operation of a world-class radio, millimeter, or submillimeter observatory.
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements:
Basic Requirements for Engineer (You must submit a copy of your transcripts)
[A] a degree in professional engineering. Curriculum must (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR
[B] combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by ONE of the following: professional registration; written test (successfully passed the Engineer-In-Training (EIT) examination or the written test required for professional registration); specified academic courses (successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering); OR related curriculum (successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field).
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
The incumbent must work at high altitude on a regular basis and will be involved in long periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping and lifting when doing site related work relating to SMA construction and operation.
The incumbent will regularly be required to work under conditions of high altitude and exposure to extreme weather conditions. He or she will also encounter the hazards associated with work on large construction projects.
The incumbent is required to file a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests (Sl Form 1085).
A high altitude physical examination is a condition of employment. Ability to work at such high altitudes is a requirement.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.
A recruitment may be paid.
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Mastery of advanced electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineering principles and practices sufficient to provide expert technical advice on the conception, design, fabrication, installation, operation and maintenance of complex state-of-the-art radio telescopes and associated instrumentation.
Ability to supervise a diverse workforce of professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
Ability to communicate technical and program planning information effectively.
In-depth knowledge of the formulation, presentation and execution of budgets sufficient to negotiate technical, schedule, and funding issues with senior officials of contracting or collaborating agencies or organizations.
Ability to serve as an expert consultant to and participant on agency task forces and professional councils, particularly in the design and operation of radio telescope systems and observatories.
Demonstrated track record in submillimeter instrument development and in disseminating results to diverse audiences.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.
Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
Important Note:
The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
Your application package should include the following documents:
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 below.
Please Note:
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. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS, or by contacting the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/613496300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical institutions in the world, where the staff carry out broad programs of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences.