SENIOR TECHNICAL PHYSICAL SCIENTIST

About the role

You will serve as the Precise Time/Time Interval (PTTI) Senior Technical Physical Scientist for the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), a fourth echelon command reporting to Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) for operations, and the Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) as the Type Commander.

The PTTI position will be located at Naval Observatory headquarters, in Washington DC.

What you will do

• You will advise the USNO Scientific Director on evolving requirements and the potential need for new programs to meet these requirements and will prioritize and program resources in accordance with requirements and emergent future community needs.
• You will monitor and oversee development of system concepts and maturation of the capabilities through all phases of capability development and will manage all PTTI programs based on future evolving DoD needs.
• You will provide scientific leadership for future PTTI developments within the Precise Time Department and will plan, execute, and review relevant research in timekeeping to include establishing standards of quality for research conducted at USNO.
• You will interface routinely with high-level DoD personnel, mission partners, and Precise Time stakeholders to facilitate the dissemination of PTTI standard products including the standard time used in all DoD activities.
• You will work with appropriate DoD personnel to establish evolving DoD requirements for precise timing information and to implement necessary improvements in DoD capabilities.
• You will be called upon to make technical presentations at conferences to program managers and to those at the highest executive levels to ensure PTTI requirements are established and products, and their use, are clearly understood.
• You will act as a liaison for DoD with national and international programs and leads multiagency collaborations to solve technical challenges and ensures data product requirements are met.
• You will be a leader and collaborator in international working groups working under the auspices of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and International Telecommunications Union specializing in the investigation of these topics.
• You will represent the USNO at national and international scientific forums and be a member of international and national scientific working groups concerned with the Precise Time and Time Interval.

Education

Applicants must meet at least one of the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: For General Physical Science Series A.

A degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; or B.

Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education;

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume.

Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Additional documentation may be required in the interview/assessment process.

The Ad-hoc Executive Resources Board (AERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the approving authority. The technical panel will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the approving authorities. This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: Structured Resume Review and Structured Interview.

If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience, duties and accomplishments.
• Applicants must include evidence of the TQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
• You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire.
• You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package.
• Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager.
• Cover letter is optional.
• Is there a basic education requirement for this position?
• Are you using education as a substitute for some or all of the experience requirement?
• Check the Education section above to see what is allowed and what is required.
• Any claims you make in your resume or assessment questionnaire regarding education or degrees MUST be supported by submitting with your application official or unofficial transcripts or a list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned issued from your school.
• While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, an official transcript will ultimately be required if you are selected for the position.
• You may submit a copy your degree(s) if specific coursework does not have to be verified.
• Are you claiming membership in any professional organizations, or possession of a license, certificate or credentials?
• Check the Conditions of Employment section above to see if any are required.
• If you claim membership, license, certification, or credentials, you must submit a copy of said document in your application package.
• Are you a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference or claiming sole survivorship preference?
• You must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service connected disability AND character of service.
• If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, submit a copy for each period of service.
• If you were issued a DD-215 to amend aforementioned information on the DD-214 you must submit that too.
• If you are not sure of your preference eligibility, visit the Department of Labor's website: Veterans' Preference Advisor Are you a disabled veteran or claiming 10-point veterans' preference?
• If you are eligible to claim 10 point veterans preference you must submit a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty as described above for 5-point preference.
• You must also provide the applicable supporting documentation of your disability (e.g. disability letter from the VA) as described on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). ***
• Are you an active duty service member?
• Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command.
• The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).
• Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office.
• Some supplemental documents contain personal information such as SSN and DOB and some documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you.
• You may sanitize these documents to remove said personal information before you submit your application.
• You must provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected.

What to expect next

When the application process is complete, your complete application (resume, assessment questionnaire, and all supporting documents) will be reviewed to determine if you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements for which you requested consideration.

You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to the questionnaire, along with your supporting documentation to determine your level of knowledge, skill, and ability related to the job requirements. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email.

After your application is evaluated by the Human Resources Office, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application. The hiring manager may choose to conduct interviews. If you are referred, you will be notified when a hiring decision is made.

You will be notified of our rating and referral decision.

Additional information

This position is a Senior Scientific position in the federal government. Senior Scientific and professional employees are in non-executive positions whose duties are broad and complex enough to be classified above GS 15 level. Senior level positions involve performance of high-level research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences.

This position is not covered by the Department of War 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.

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: *** There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.

Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***)