This is the position of Deputy Operations Manager, within the Radio & Geoastronomy (R&G) Division, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), at the Submillimeter Array (SMA)-Hawaii facilities. The Submillimeter Array (SMA) is an array of eight 6-meter diameter radio telescopes operating throughout the 1.3mm and 0.86 mm atmospheric windows (190-380 GHz) located in Hawaii.
Summary
This is the position of Deputy Operations Manager, within the Radio & Geoastronomy (R&G) Division, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), at the Submillimeter Array (SMA)-Hawaii facilities. The Submillimeter Array (SMA) is an array of eight 6-meter diameter radio telescopes operating throughout the 1.3mm and 0.86 mm atmospheric windows (190-380 GHz) located in Hawaii.
This Merit Promotion position is open to Current Federal Employees and Former Federal Employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply such as Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A), former Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Vista volunteers; certain Military Spouses, or individuals eligible under various programs for Veterans (VRA, VEOA, 30% disabled).
As Deputy Operations Manager, participates in the management of the day-to-day operations of the Observatory and the maintenance of its facilities to ensure the safety of staff, visitors, and the SMA telescopes and scientific instrumentation; prevent deterioration; and support the overall scientific mission. Provides direction to administrative and skilled trades employees in the absence of the SMA Director.
Serves as the COTR (Contracting Officers' Technical Representative) for facilities repair/renovation projects to ensure the timeliness and the quality of work performed by contractors and their compliance with contract terms. This includes monitoring the work or service performed by the outside contractor, advising the contractor of deficiencies in performance, verifying completion of work, approving payments, and coordinating with the SI/SAO Contracting Officers as appropriate to resolve contractor performance or other issues.
Works with staff from SI’s Office of Planning, Design, and Construction (OPDC) and SI’s Office of Facilities Management and Reliability (OFMR) for SI funded projects to ensure that all documentation requirements are met. Supports construction projects’ oversight in other areas as requested.
Serves as Safety Officer for SMA-Hawaii facilities. Designs and implements an overall safety program-- including relevant training --for staff, visitors, and volunteers; and serves as technical advisor on safety issues related to SMA operations. Serves as the SMA-Hawaii interface with SAO Cambridge and SI OSHEM. Develops safety related aspects of annual SMA-Hawaii budget request. Assures compliance with all certification, safety, fire prevention, and SI/SAO security program requirements.
As assigned by the SMA Director, performs periodic onsite surveys of various types of construction work in progress at SMA-Hawaii facilities, and reviews project plans and inspects both in-process and completed work performed both by SMA-Hawaii staff and contractors to determine compliance with applicable Institution and occupational safety standards.
Prepares and presents comprehensive reports—both oral and written--in assigned areas.
Pre- and post-appointment background
investigation
May be required to serve an 18-month
probationary period for managers.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary
period.
U.S. citizenship
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
The incumbent of this position must have a valid state driver's license
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: One year of directly related experience (Federal or other) equivalent to GS-11 in the federal service. Specialized experience would include activities as duties leading safety programs at an observatory and overseeing the maintenance and repair of observatory facilities, including electrical, mechanical, structural, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Facilities experience would be at a COTR-II level of responsibility or equivalent.
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 this position.
Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
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.
Additional information
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
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 education and specialized requirements.
Applicants that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Knowledge of and skill in applying the full range of principles, concepts, and methods of facility administration to the operation of a complex, geographically remote, scientific facility.
Knowledge of contract administration sufficient to serve as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for construction, maintenance, and repair contracts
Knowledge of facility systems sufficient to assess overall condition, perform diagnostic inspections, direct repair work, and serve as COTR on facility projects.
Knowledge of occupational safety practices and procedures sufficient to develop and implement an overall facilities’ safety plan and related procedures.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with people from a broad range of diverse backgrounds including scientific, technical, trade, administrative, and volunteer staff, external partners and contractors, and members of the visiting public, both daily and in situations that may be contentious, challenging or involve stringent deadlines.
Excellent oral and written communications skills.
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BASIS OF RATING: Once the announcement closes, your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect the information you provided that support your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
Important Note:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
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.
Your application package should include the following documents:
Detailed resume created in the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
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 foreignstudy, if applicable.
A recent performance evaluation
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
Statement of previous research (3 pages max)
Research vision, plan and objections (5 pages max)
Diversity statement (3 pages max)
Names/contact info for 4 references
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).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
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
Office of Human Resources
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:
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 logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My 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.
Your application package should include the following documents:
Detailed resume created in the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
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 foreignstudy, if applicable.
A recent performance evaluation
Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
Statement of previous research (3 pages max)
Research vision, plan and objections (5 pages max)
Diversity statement (3 pages max)
Names/contact info for 4 references
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).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
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
Office of Human Resources
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible.
Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:
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 logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My 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.
