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The SAO Associate Director, Science (ADS) plays a central leadership role in the scientific activities and development of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), in partnership with Harvard University (HCO), as one of the world’s premier centers for astronomy and astrophysics. The ADS reports to the SAO Director, interacts with the Deputy Director, and serves on the joint SAO-HCO Executive Management team.
Learn more about this agency08/31/2022 to 09/15/2022
$135,468 - $203,700 per year
SL 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
50% or less - Travel is required nationally and internationally to attend meetings, presentations, etc.
No
Permanent - Permanent - Federal
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
00
Yes
No
22-73
674543500
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals (a resident of American Samoa and Swain Island).
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp
Specialized Experience: One year of directly related experience (Federal or other) equivalent to GS-15. Specialized experience would include activities such as managing/overseeing scientific programs at a large scientific organization or university, including but not limited to effective science budget management and the achievement of key performance milestones. Additionally, experience as a liasion with scientific staff to coordinate and develop synergistic research activities, collaborations and initiatives is required.
In addition to meeting the specialized experience, candidates will be rating based on their knowledge, skills and abilities in the following:
Scientific/Technical - Outstanding scientific track record and expertise in any field of astrophysics. Broad and deep understanding of the scientific research, expertise and skills available at the CfA. Ability to fairly and equitably represent all scientific divisions at the CfA at the executive level. Extensive experience in scientific proposal preparation for multiple funding agencies. Successful implementation, budget management, and personnel management for major scientific projects. Detailed knowledge of the US Decadal Survey for Astronomy, national and international grant funding agencies, programs and deadlines.
Financial Management- Mastery of the principles and practices of budget formulation and prioritization of science goals and priorities. Experience allocating science budgets within a constantly changing and constraining budget environment. Ability to consider all science needs and to allocate funding to priorities in a fair and balanced manner, without regard to the own science field of the ADS.
Advanced knowledge of techniques for monitoring and managing expenditures to ensure cost effectiveness including the use of cost benefit analysis to set priorities, and knowledge of SAO financial processes and procedures.
Personnel Management: Significant experience in large-scale management of scientific teams with effective collaboration methods to achieve scientific goals. Extensive knowledge of performance management systems, recruitment policies and practices, and personnel policies and procedures. Proven ability to manage personnel effectively, while creating a positive and inclusive work environment. Proven ability to influence and engage others in effective management techniques and in building an inclusive and positive work environment. Exceptional ability to delegate tasks and engage staff in contributing towards scientific and organization goals.
Communication skills— Outstanding ability to express information effectively in all formats, including on-line and during video conferencing, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Exceptional ability to listen to others, attend to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately and respectfully.
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.
There is no education substitution for experience.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
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.
Minimum Education Requirements:
A) Degree in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science or electronics, including course work in differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy or physics; OR
B) A combination of education and experience equivalent to A above including 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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
The 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.
Your application package must include the following documents:
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 on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You will receive an automated email acknowledgment that your application has been received. This may take several hours. We often receive a large number of applications for a job. We review each application carefully, and this process may take a few weeks. As we go through each round of review, we will send you an email to date you on your status.
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/674543500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is part of what is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where the staff carries out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences. If you would like to join this exciting organization, apply today!
