This position serves as an Astronomical Observer supporting science and test operations of the Submillimeter Array (SMA). The incumbent operates complex submillimeter radio astronomy instrumentation during scheduled observing shifts; monitors antenna, receiver, correlator, and system performance; acquires and evaluates astronomical and engineering test data; and supports visiting and staff astronomers during scientific and technical observations.
Summary
This position serves as an Astronomical Observer supporting science and test operations of the Submillimeter Array (SMA). The incumbent operates complex submillimeter radio astronomy instrumentation during scheduled observing shifts; monitors antenna, receiver, correlator, and system performance; acquires and evaluates astronomical and engineering test data; and supports visiting and staff astronomers during scientific and technical observations.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - This position supports ongoing scientific observing operations. Work is performed on a rotating schedule that includes evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays as required by observing assignments and operational needs.
Operate the SMA during scheduled
science, handling telescope
startup/shutdown, array setup, and
program execution.
Support the SMA scheduler by
advising on observing strategies and
providing technical guidance on
system capabilities and operational
constraints
Strictly follow established safety
protocols during telescope
operations and maintenance to
protect personnel, equipment, and
observatory operations.
Monitor telescope, instrumentation,
and environmental performance in
real time, including pointing and
data quality, to promptly identify,
troubleshoot, and resolve anomalies
Monitor system status
continuously,document operational
issues thoroughly, and perform
routine maintenance activities such
as log verification and system
checks.
Participate actively in the analysis
and interpretation of test data, which
may include the precise integration
of pointing data acquired from
optical and radio observations and
from tilt meters into a global model
of antenna performance.
Assist visiting and staff astronomers
with astronomical observations and
evaluate scientific data, including
detailed data analysis with
astronomical image processing
software such as CASA, MIRIAD,
or IDL.
Participate actively in the
modification or development of
observational and data reduction
software.
Modify existing code under
supervision to effectively automate
repetitive tasks, optimize data
processing, or improve overall
workflow efficiency.
Maintain highly organized directories,
detailed metadata, and comprehensive
documentation for ensuring scientific
reproducibility.
Prepare clear, concise summaries of
observational results and complex dataprocessing steps for team review.
Present informative short briefings on
assigned tasks during regular team
meetings
Collaborate effectively with engineers,
technicians, and senior astronomers to
support and advance mission objectives.
Must successfully complete a background investigation.
Selectee may be required to serve a probationary period.
This position supports astronomical observing operations and requires participation in a rotating work schedule that includes evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Work is performed at a remote observatory site.
Work is conducted in low-light environments and may involve extended computer use, outdoor exposure to weather conditions, and occasional lifting or handling of scientific equipment.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the Basic Education Requirement and/or the specialized experience requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Education Requirement (GS-1330 Astronomy and Space Science Series)
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.
GS 07 Specialized Experience:
You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes 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.
OR
Education
One full year of graduate-level education in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, or a closely related physical science may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also be used to qualify. SAA is based on a bachelor’s degree with one of the following:
A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of study;
A GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for courses in the major field of study or those completed in the last two years of study;
Rank in the upper one-third of the graduating class; or
Membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
OR
Combination
Education and experience may be combined to meet qualification requirements. For a full explanation of this option, please see the Qualification Standards.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or have education completed at a foreign college or university, you must provide transcripts and documentation verifying U.S. equivalency. See the Required Documents section of this announcement for additional information.
Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0 and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of undergraduate coursework was completed on a pass/fail basis, qualification under Superior Academic Achievement must be based on class standing or honor society membership.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work performed through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer experience helps build critical competencies and may be credited if directly related to the duties of this position.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be prorated to determine creditable experience. Applicants should clearly indicate the number of hours worked per week.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
No incentives are authorized for this 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.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
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 below. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Knowledge of radio or submillimeter telescope operations sufficient to operate the SMA under established procedures and guidance
Skill in monitoring system performance to recognize normal conditions and report abnormalities
Knowledge of basic professional astronomy principles, theories, and practices sufficient to perform routine observational tasks and apply standard analytical techniques
Knowledge of astronomical data analysis software sufficient to assist with routine data tasks
Ability to organize and communicate technical information in logs, reports, and meetings
Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be placed into one of three quality categories based on their responses to the job-related assessment and the extent to which their experience demonstrates the competencies required for the position:
Best Category – 95–100 Better Category – 85–94.99 Good Category – 70–84.99
This category rating process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the rule of three but protects the rights of veterans by placing preference eligibles ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible 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 do not submit a resume in USAJOBS and complete all required assessment questions will not be considered.
Important Note
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire for consistency. If a determination is made that your self-assessment is not supported by your resume, your rating may be adjusted to reflect documented experience. Your resume should clearly describe how your education and experience relate to the duties and qualification requirements of this position.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages.
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
160 Concord Ave
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. 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 contacting the agency contact listed below.
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages.
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
SMITHSONIAN
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
160 Concord Ave
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. 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 contacting the agency contact listed below.
