All qualified candidates. First consideration maybe made 14 days after the opening date. Selection may be made at either the grade 7 or 9 grade level. This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 9. A candidate selected at grade 7 may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher grade level, up to grade 9, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee.
The purpose of the position is twofold: (1) providing technical support for science planning and operation of the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), including planning Chandra science observations and participating in the daily operations of the Observatory; (2) providing computer-related support of X-ray astronomy operations and research with the Observatory, including coding, modifying, testing and maintaining software for mission planning; developing and maintaining documentation; and drafting and maintaining materials for websites.
The employee in this position provides technical scientific support of X-ray astronomy research and space observatory operations using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. In concert with scientific staff, Astrophysicists plan and schedule observations. The Astrophysicists also are involved in coding, modifying, debugging, and documenting software for mission planning; developing and maintaining databases; drafting and maintaining materials for websites; and participating in the daily operations of the Chandra Observatory.
Grade 7: The individual is at the developmental trainee level, where assignments combine performance of work with orientation and supervised on-the-job-training. Assignments are designed to develop the employee for work at a higher level.
Grade 9: Duties may include activities such as specifying, testing, writing, modifying, debugging, and/or documenting software for user support proposal planning, mission planning, simulations, and modeling; running software and analyzing data output; developing and analyzing algorithms; developing and maintaining databases; and drafting and maintaining materials for web sites.
Pre and Post appointment background investigation.
May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
Electronic funds transfer/direct deposit is required for salary payment.
First consideration maybe made 14 days after the opening date
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifications
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements: A. 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 B. 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 meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown below:
Grade 7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 5 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Experience at this level normally would have included modifying and maintaining software for astronomy projects, providing technical support for an astronomical observatory, or carrying out research projects in physics or astronomy.
OR
Completion of one-year of graduate level education OR Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) when it provided the applicant with the criteria necessary to do the work of the position. For SAA requirements, please go to OPM website: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp
Grade 9: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 7 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Experience at this level normally would have included developing and documenting software for astronomical research or operations, completing research projects in physics or astronomy, or providing operational support for an astronomical observatory.
OR
2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree
NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications
Education
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but may pay a recruitment bonus. The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
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 qualification. Applications that meet the basic qualifications will be further evaluated against the following criteria:
Knowledge of physics and astronomy to be able to understand the basic scientific concepts pertaining to the Chandra mission.
Knowledge of mathematics to be able to develop and analyze algorithms and perform the necessary calculations to develop code.
Knowledge of programming techniques and computer equipment and systems software.
Knowledge of Unix or Linux.
Knowledge of a higher-level programming language such as FORTRAN or C.
Knowledge of HTML
Knowledge of a scripting language such as Perl, Python, or Unix shell scripting.
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.
You must apply for this position online. If you do not have a social security number please contact the point of contact listed for information. Do not submit paper applications/resumes by mail, e-mail, or fax. You will be required to create an account and build a resume on www.usajobs.gov unless you previously established an account. You will also be asked to respond to assessment questions online. To see a preview of the questionnaire before applying, go to the "Qualifications & Evaluations" tab and click on the link at the bottom of the page. Instructions for Applying Online: Important: You must complete the entire application process which includes responding to a set of questions. Your application will not transfer to Smithsonian until you click on the FINISH button. This is not the same as the DONE button which is used to complete the fax cover sheet print step. 1. Click on the Apply Online button at the bottom of this announcement. 2. When you click Apply Online, you will have to register a USAJobs account or log into your existing account. Once you are logged in, choose which resume you wish to submit, select it and click 'Apply for this Position Now!' Your resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Smithsonian Tracking & Applicant Referral System (STARS). 3a. If this is your first time applying to a Smithsonian position online you will be prompted by a 'core' questionnaire. Complete all questions on the questionnaire. You will then be prompted to print fax cover sheets. Print the applicable fax cover sheet(s) generated at the end of the on-line application process. Once you have printed fax cover sheets click on 'Done' at the bottom of the page. 3b. If you have applied for a position with us before you will have the option to review your previous responses to the core questions, or proceed to the vacancy specific questions described in the next step. 4. You will be prompted by a vacancy specific questionnaire. These questions must be completed for your application to be submitted. Once you have completed all questions in this questionnaire, click 'Finish'. 5. You will then be prompted to print fax coversheets specific to the vacancy. Print the applicable fax coversheet(s) generated at the end of the on-line application process. Once you have printed fax cover sheets click on 'Done' at the bottom of the page. 6. Once you have finished answering questions for all grades that you are applying for, you must review your questionnaire responses and select 'Finish' at the bottom of the review page. If you do not click 'Finish' at the bottom of the review page your application will not be submitted. NOTE: When faxing supporting documentation, use the phone number listed on the fax cover sheet. The fax cover sheet(s) contains an important ID number, so keep a copy for your files. Use a separate fax cover sheet for each type of document. Documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Documents to be faxed can be found under "Required Documents" listed below. To view the status of your faxed supporting documentation, please follow the steps below: Logon to your USAJOBS account. Click on the "Applications" tab and locate the vacancy. Under the "Application Status" column click on the "More information" hyperlink. You will then be transferred to the "Gateway to State" Welcome screen. Click on the View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet radio button. On the next screen, under the Status column it will show you the status of your fax supporting documentation. NOTE: It may take several hours before your fax documentation is reflected in the system. Check for confirmation emails for documents that you have faxed. Depending on the level of activity in the online application system, your confirmation email may be delayed. Please be aware that the confirmation email could be in your "Junk" or "Bulk Mail" folder. After the vacancy closes, the HR office uses the application package (resume and questionnaire responses) to rate, rank and certify candidates. Exceptions may be granted to accept paper applications in extenuating circumstances; however paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact will be handled as incomplete and will not be considered.
*If you do not have a social security number please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy.*
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. 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 "USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
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.
You must apply for this position online. If you do not have a social security number please contact the point of contact listed for information. Do not submit paper applications/resumes by mail, e-mail, or fax. You will be required to create an account and build a resume on www.usajobs.gov unless you previously established an account. You will also be asked to respond to assessment questions online. To see a preview of the questionnaire before applying, go to the "Qualifications & Evaluations" tab and click on the link at the bottom of the page. Instructions for Applying Online: Important: You must complete the entire application process which includes responding to a set of questions. Your application will not transfer to Smithsonian until you click on the FINISH button. This is not the same as the DONE button which is used to complete the fax cover sheet print step. 1. Click on the Apply Online button at the bottom of this announcement. 2. When you click Apply Online, you will have to register a USAJobs account or log into your existing account. Once you are logged in, choose which resume you wish to submit, select it and click 'Apply for this Position Now!' Your resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to the Smithsonian Tracking & Applicant Referral System (STARS). 3a. If this is your first time applying to a Smithsonian position online you will be prompted by a 'core' questionnaire. Complete all questions on the questionnaire. You will then be prompted to print fax cover sheets. Print the applicable fax cover sheet(s) generated at the end of the on-line application process. Once you have printed fax cover sheets click on 'Done' at the bottom of the page. 3b. If you have applied for a position with us before you will have the option to review your previous responses to the core questions, or proceed to the vacancy specific questions described in the next step. 4. You will be prompted by a vacancy specific questionnaire. These questions must be completed for your application to be submitted. Once you have completed all questions in this questionnaire, click 'Finish'. 5. You will then be prompted to print fax coversheets specific to the vacancy. Print the applicable fax coversheet(s) generated at the end of the on-line application process. Once you have printed fax cover sheets click on 'Done' at the bottom of the page. 6. Once you have finished answering questions for all grades that you are applying for, you must review your questionnaire responses and select 'Finish' at the bottom of the review page. If you do not click 'Finish' at the bottom of the review page your application will not be submitted. NOTE: When faxing supporting documentation, use the phone number listed on the fax cover sheet. The fax cover sheet(s) contains an important ID number, so keep a copy for your files. Use a separate fax cover sheet for each type of document. Documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Documents to be faxed can be found under "Required Documents" listed below. To view the status of your faxed supporting documentation, please follow the steps below: Logon to your USAJOBS account. Click on the "Applications" tab and locate the vacancy. Under the "Application Status" column click on the "More information" hyperlink. You will then be transferred to the "Gateway to State" Welcome screen. Click on the View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet radio button. On the next screen, under the Status column it will show you the status of your fax supporting documentation. NOTE: It may take several hours before your fax documentation is reflected in the system. Check for confirmation emails for documents that you have faxed. Depending on the level of activity in the online application system, your confirmation email may be delayed. Please be aware that the confirmation email could be in your "Junk" or "Bulk Mail" folder. After the vacancy closes, the HR office uses the application package (resume and questionnaire responses) to rate, rank and certify candidates. Exceptions may be granted to accept paper applications in extenuating circumstances; however paper applications submitted without prior approval from the agency point of contact will be handled as incomplete and will not be considered.
*If you do not have a social security number please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy.*
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. 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 "USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
