Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals (including Veterans recruitment). Excepted Service employees may also apply to this announcement.

1. Operate the SMA from the control rooms on Maunakea and in Hilo during scheduled shifts to acquire astronomical and test data. Science observations require attentive monitoring of antenna pointing, receiver and correlator characteristics, general system performance, and data quality. Setup the array prior to observations, which entails visual inspection of the antennas, receiver tuning to optimize sensitivity, and system readiness tests.
2. Participate in the analysis and interpretation of test data, which may include the integration of pointing data acquired from optical and radio observations and from tilt meters into a global model of antenna performance; drawing conclusions regarding the quality and reliability of scientific data; and organizing and summarizing results in reports.
3. Assist visiting and staff astronomers with astronomical and test observations, including data analysis with astronomical image processing software such as CASA, MIRIAD, or IDL. Participate in the modification or development of observing and data reduction software.
4. Participate in observatory outreach events, including public presentations, science fair demonstrations, classroom visits, and observatory tours. Contribute to written observatory documentation, manuals, and scientific publications.

Conditions of employment

• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Successful completion of a High Altitude Physical is required.
• Must possess a valid state driver's license.
• Irregular work hours may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) rate for 2021 is 4.42%

Qualification requirements are derived from the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/gs1300/1330. Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of announcement.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet these Basic 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.

In addition to Basic Requirements above, you must have one year of specialized experience (Federal or other) that is equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal government performing the following duties: providing operational and technical support during science observations including engineering checkout, testing and calibration of scientific instruments. Specialized experience for this position would typically include activities such as operating a telescope at a world class or university observatory, leading or assisting with astronomical or physics research, or writing or modifying computer software either professionally or as part of class work.



PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE One full year of graduate level education in astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics or A Bachelor's degree with a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics with Superior Academic Achievement.

COMBINATION OF GRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE If you have less than the full amount of graduate education and less than the amount of experience described, but have a combination of the type of graduate education and the type of experience described, you may meet the minimum requirements for the position. The total percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100 percent to qualify under this provision.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide your college transcripts or a list of completed college courses will result in you not receiving consideration for this position, and you will receive an ineligible rating.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements. You must show proof that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the Required Documents section of this announcement.


NOTE: The Smithsonian does not recognize academic degrees from schools that are not accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from Federal employment to removal from Federal service.

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. Applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Knowledge and skill in the operation of telescopes to obtain science or test data at either world class or university level facilities.
2. Knowledge of physics or astronomy sufficient to understand astronomical instrumentation and techniques and astrophysical processes; to develop algorithms; to analyze data; to draw conclusions; to organize data; and to summarize information in reports.
3. Knowledge of astronomical image processing software such as CASA, MIRIAD, IDL, etc.
4. Knowledge of high level programming languages such as Python, C, or Perl, of computer equipment, and of systems software.
5. Ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.

BASIS OF RATING: To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The rating you receive is based the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities.

Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

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.

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