Skip to main content
U.S. flag
 

SPACE SCIENTIST / PHYSICIST / METEOROLOGIST

Department of the Navy
United States Fleet Forces Command

Summary

You will serve as a SPACE SCIENTIST / PHYSICIST / METEOROLOGIST in the N5 Modeling and Forecasting Department, N54 Global and ESPC Modeling Division of FLT NUMER OCEANGPHY METEO CTR.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply in 3 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is eligible for part time, substantial or ad-hoc telework at the discretion of management.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation incentives as described in 5 USC 5753 may be authorized in accordance with applicable regulations. PCS is not authorized.
Salary
$93,358 - $145,468 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Promotion potential
12
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
ST-13016554-26-DSJ
Control number
877950300

Duties

Help
  • You will analyze and validate environmental numerical model output against observational data and research studies across all network enclaves.
  • You will present findings at internal division monthly verification and validation meetings.
  • You will collaborate with subject matter experts in atmospheric and ionospheric science to ensure that environmental numerical models and related data assimilation systems are based on the best available science.
  • You will provide technical support to federal agencies and other stakeholders who rely on environmental numerical model data for decision-making purposes.
  • You will participate in regional and national collaborations to advance the state of the art in environmental numerical modeling.
  • You will work in a Linux computational environment to integrate, port, maintain and adapt new and/or updated environmental models and applications on a variety of high performance computer systems.
  • You will develop and optimize high-performance computer programs: use expertise in languages such as Fortran, Python, and C/C++ to design, modify, and develop efficient computer programs that run in high-performance computing environments.
  • You will use knowledge of Linux/UNIX shell scripting languages such as Korn or Bash to write scripts that automate repetitive tasks, manage files, create visualizations, and execute commands on the command line.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Generally, current federal employees applying for GS jobs must serve at least one year at the next lower grade level. This requirement is called time-in-grade. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test. You will be subject to random testing.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
  • After-hours response to telephone calls for assistance from the FNMOC Operations Center to deal with problems in software or data is occasionally required.

Qualifications

GS-12
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Mastery of advanced theoretical meteorology and/or ionospheric science, including the dynamics of the atmosphere and/or ionosphere and the application of computer methods of numerical weather and/or ionospheric analysis and prediction. Mastery of the theories, methods and techniques of professional meteorology and/or ionospheric science sufficient to serve as a staff specialist working to improve forecast guidance and the performance of tactical decision aids for one or more of the major product areas. Basic knowledge of satellite remote sensing. Comprehensive knowledge of satellites, their sensors and in situ observing platforms, and the algorithms used to produce environmental estimates and derived METOC and/or ionospheric products. Knowledge of the techniques used to assimilate data into atmospheric and/or ionospheric models. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical methods and standard techniques for post-processing and evaluating atmospheric and/or ionospheric numerical model analysis and forecast products. Comprehensive knowledge of an advanced programming language such as FORTRAN and/or Python, an advanced operating system such as LINUX, software configuration management, and visualization of large scientific data sets. Comprehensive knowledge of software engineering techniques as applied to the development and maintenance of automated, real-time systems. Proven skill in public speaking and in technical writing.

GS-11
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
Mastery of advanced theoretical meteorology and/or ionospheric science, including the dynamics of the atmosphere and/or ionosphere and the application of computer methods of numerical weather and/or ionospheric analysis and prediction. Mastery of the theories, methods and techniques of professional meteorology and/or ionospheric science sufficient to serve as a staff specialist working to improve forecast guidance and the performance of tactical decision aids for one or more of the major product areas. Basic knowledge of satellite remote sensing. Comprehensive knowledge of satellites, their sensors and in situ observing platforms, and the algorithms used to produce environmental estimates and derived METOC and/or ionospheric products. Knowledge of the techniques used to assimilate data into atmospheric and/or ionospheric models. Comprehensive knowledge of statistical methods and standard techniques for post-processing and evaluating atmospheric and/or ionospheric numerical model analysis and forecast products. Comprehensive knowledge of an advanced programming language such as FORTRAN and/or Python, an advanced operating system such as LINUX, software configuration management, and visualization of large scientific data sets. Comprehensive knowledge of software engineering techniques as applied to the development and maintenance of automated, real-time systems. Proven skill in public speaking and in technical writing.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physics-series-1310/

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/astronomy-and-space-science-series-1330/

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.

Education

Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must possess

Physics Series 1310

Individual Occupational Requirements

Basic Requirements:
  1. Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

Astronomy and Space Science Series 1330

Individual Occupational Requirements

Basic Requirements:
  1. 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

  2. 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.

    Meteorology Series 1340

    Individual Occupational Requirements

    Basic Requirements:

  3. Degree: meteorology, atmospheric science, or other natural science major that included:
    1. At least 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of credit in meteorology/atmospheric science including a minimum of:
      1. Six semester hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics;*
      2. Six semester hours of analysis and prediction of weather systems (synoptic/mesoscale);
      3. Three semester hours of physical meteorology; and
      4. Two semester hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere and/or instrumentation.
    2. Six semester hours of physics, with at least one course that includes laboratory sessions.*
    3. Three semester hours of ordinary differential equations.*
    4. At least nine semester hours of course work appropriate for a physical science major in any combination of three or more of the following: physical hydrology, statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, radiative transfer, aeronomy, advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

    * There is a prerequisite or corequisite of calculus for course work in atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, physics, and differential equations. Calculus courses must be appropriate for a physical science major.

    or

  4. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.


Additional information

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf

PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.

ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application: 1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/


Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

When the application process is complete, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and application package, along with your supporting documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following competencies:





This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: Structured Resume Review, Structured Interview.



You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.


Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All eligibility, qualifications, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

United States Fleet Forces Command

The Navy and Marine Corps team offers innovative, exciting and meaningful work linking military and civilian talents to achieve our mission and safeguard our freedoms. Department of the Navy provides competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive professional development and training. From pipefitters to accountants, scientists to engineers, doctors to nurses-the careers and opportunities to make a difference are endless.

Civilian careers-where purpose and patriotism unite!

Agency contact information

Department of Navy EIC
Email
doneic@us.navy.mil
Address
FLT NUMER OCEANGPHY METEO CTR
7 Grace Hopper Ave
Monterey, CA 93943
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at United States Fleet Forces Command, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Pages/Default.aspx

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.