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Research Space Scientist, Research AST, Planetary Studies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Ames Research Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is responsible for conducting scientific research on Solar System planets and their satellites, origin and evolution of Solar System objects, structure and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, potentials for habitability, including extrasolar planets, and on theoretical modeling of such bodies.

THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND THE CLOSING DATE TO 04/01/2019.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/04/2019 to 04/01/2019
Salary
$88,582 to - $115,157 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
4 vacancies in the following location:
Moffett Field, CA
4 vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for training or other work-related duties
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
AR19D0030
Control number
526082700

Duties

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  • This research position is engaged in professional planetary scientific research which is directed toward discovering, disseminating, and applying new or expanded knowledge in this discipline.
  • Research includes, but is not limited to, modeling and theoretical investigations. Knowledge of global, regional atmospheric processes, such as dynamics, chemistry, radiative transfer and atmospheric/surface interactions.
  • Conducts Space Science studies relating to theoretical understanding of planet formation, planetary dynamics and evolution relevant to the myriad of Solar System objects.
  • Conducts science investigations related to planetary geological/geomorphological processes.
  • Supports Solar System planetary and extrasolar planet exploration goals of highest priority. Supports the understanding of planetary habitability and strategic planning for the search for life upon Solar System objects and/or exoplanetary worlds.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
  • Selectee must complete a financial disclosure statement
  • A one-year probationary period may be required
  • This position will be filled at the GS-12 grade level only; the full performance level of the position is at the GS-14 grade level. Selectee can be promoted without further competition.
  • Salary range based on 2018 rates without the pending 2019 salary increase.

Qualifications

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

In addition to the basic education requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Qualification Requirements for the GS-12:

One year of specialized experience is defined as experience in conducting planetary/exoplanetary scientific research through theoretical studies and/or numerical modeling.

OR

Completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field.

Education

In order to qualify for this position you must meet Basic Education Requirement

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major in either a)
engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs or b) Physical
Science, Mathematics, Life Science, Computer Science, Other fields of science.

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

The accreditation, type of degree, and course work taken will determine if the basic education requirements are met.

The degree must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation. To find out if a school has an ABET accreditation, go to
ABET accredited schools

Applicants must list their majors on their resume.

ABET or Foreign accreditation requirement applies to foreign education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to the education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. If selected, a written evaluation translated in English of any foreign education must be completed and provided to the Human Resources official making the offer. Please indicate in your resume that you have had your foreign education formally evaluated by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation may result in your being found unqualified for the position.

Applicants must complete the following fields in USAJOBS Resume Builder, Step 2. Education section in order for education qualifications to be considered for this position:

-College/University Name
-State/Territory/Province/Country
-City/Town
-Degree/Level Attained
-Completion date
-Major
-Minor
-GPA

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

Identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee. Promotion will depend upon and need.

Current Federal employees must meet three months after competitive appointment restrictions by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

If you are eligible for a special program such as individual with a disability, former Peace Corps employee,
returning Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, 30% or more Disabled Veteran or Veterans'
Recruitment Appointment, you may apply to this announcement under the hiring authority that you are eligible for. To receive consideration under the appropriate hiring authority, you will need to check mark the appropriate category under the 'Options' tab when completing the application process.

If you are found qualified, your resume will be forwarded to the hiring manager.

For more information please visit the applicable website(s):
Schedule A Hiring Authority - OPM OR
NASA Jobs

Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer - Peace Corps

Veterans' Recruitment Appointment and 30% or more Disabled Veteran - OPM FedsHireVets OR NASA?s Veteran Applicant Guide

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.

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