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Computer Scientist

Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Office of the Under Secretary, Office of Space Commerce (OSC)

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of the Under Secretary, Office of Space Commerce (OSC), Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs with one vacancy in Washington, DC.

This position is also announced under vacancy number UNSEC OSC-26-13066526-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$85,447 - $187,093 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 3 - 4
Promotion potential
4 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - Up to 25% of domestic and international travel may be required for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
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
Yes - If selected, required to complete OGE Form 450 financial disclosure.
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
UNSEC OSC-26-13066525-ST
Control number
885553200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current or former Federal employees w/permanent competitive status; OR those eligible under a non-comp appointing authority (e.g. Individuals w/Disabilities, Pathways Interns & Recent Grads who are eligible for conversion, etc.); OR current or former employees who are serving, or previously served on temp or term appmt in land mgmt agency; OR veterans w/preference or those separated from armed forces OR NOAA Corps under honorable conditions after 3+ yrs of continuous service.

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Duties

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As a Computer Scientist, you will perform the following duties:

  • Conduct compliance activities under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act ("the Act"), regulations issued under the Act, and conditions issued in licenses to operate private remote sensing space systems. Perform Site Compliance and Surveillance Schedules and supervise on-site inspections to observe remote ground terminal hardware and operations. Scrutinize and safeguard compliance for spacecraft and satellite command and control networks and associate ground terminal hardware by collecting and reviewing material.
  • Scope the comprehensive analysis of remote sensing data and imagery products, satellite and networking logs, telemetry, tracking, and control or remote sensing system operation logs, and cybersecurity measures. Assure compliance by scrutinizing spacecraft and satellite command and control networks, ground terminal hardware, and technical architecture, while analyzing information system artifacts and technical measures to enforce adherence.
  • Seek to understand remote sensing payload data qualities and properties, including electro-optical, visible near infrared, panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, infrared, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), X-band, L-band, and C-band imaging, reflectometry, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), penetrating radar, and imaging radar.
  • Structure and secure lines of inquiry to gather information and artifacts regarding non-compliance or violations of law for administrative law enforcement proceedings. Submit comprehensive objective, investigative analytic products, notes, reports, and memoranda pertaining to compliance, non-compliance, and violations.
Note: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZP-4; the ZP-3 is developmental leading to such performance.

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZP-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The ZP-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14. The ZP-4 is the full performance level of the position.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
  • This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Requires a valid state driver's license to operate a government vehicle for site visits, inspections, etc.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Special Sensitive security clearance to support duties requiring access to Top Secret documents. Testing Designated Position (TDP) position requires mandatory drug testing.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov)
  • Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional Considerations:

  • One year probationary period may be required.
  • Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.
  • This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
  • This position requires a Special Sensitive Security Clearance.
  • Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • Your performance and conduct;
  • Needs and interests of the agency;
  • Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

To qualify for the 1550 series:
EDUCATION:

Degree: A bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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.

To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Participating in evaluating remote information systems and network elements; and
  • Coordinating with investigative or enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with law, regulation or licenses.
OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.)

To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:
  • Ensuring compliance for remote information system networks by assessing command-and-control, mission data products, forensic reconstruction, and monitoring security during remote communications, processing, and dissemination;
  • Coordinating with investigative or enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with law, regulation or licenses; and
  • Providing reports or memorandums regarding remote information system analysis or compliance evaluations.

Education

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Additional information

During the application process you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

ICTAP and CTAP Candidates: Eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. Copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  2. Copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. Copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. Copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  3. Copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Non-Competitive Reinstatement to a Higher Grade/Band than Previously Held MUST submit the following documents:
  1. SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action": You must provide the most current Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status, title, series, and highest grade level held on a permanent basis for your previous position, AND the SF-50 that verifies your separation date; AND
  2. Performance Appraisal: Most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.

NOAA participates in e-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire and/or evaluation through a manual assessment process, and your responses to any additional assessments (i.e. USAHire) required for this position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and a Job Knowledge Test. The Job Knowledge Test is designed to assess technical and professional expertise directly relevant to the requirements of this announcement. This assessment measures the specialized knowledge and skills accumulated over time, which are critical for successful performance in this position. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Aerospace Engineering, Auditing, Compliance Inspection, Computer Forensics, Computer Network Defense, Forensics, Information Systems Security Certification, Remote Sensing, Technical Competence, and Written Communication

Candidates identified for an interview may be asked to participate in a work simulation exercise.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13066525

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration, and supporting marine commerce, NOAA's products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America's gross domestic product. NOAA's dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and other decision makers with reliable information they need, when they need it.

Agency contact information

Applicant Inquiries
Email
noaa.applicantinquiries@noaa.gov
Address
NOAA Office of Human Capital Services OHCS
1315 East West Hwy
SSMC4
Silver Spring, MD 20910
US

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