Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

• You will serve as a Supervisory Astronomer in the Astronomical Application Department, Nautical Almanac Office of the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), Washington, D.C.
• You will plan, direct and administer the work of the division through analysis of workload, determination of priorities, assignment of tasks, and redirection as required.
• You will evaluate performance of subordinates and identify developmental and training needs, as required for employees.
• You will manage department publication program (astronomical and navigational publications and almanacs), analyze requirements of military and civilian users and determine the future requirements for the publications.
• You will plan and track the budget for the publications, meeting the established deadlines, coordinating the preparation of the astronomical data, and quality control.
• You will lead and participate in mission-related research projects either independently or in coordination with other staff scientists.
• You will apply new technology to solve a technically difficult problems.
• You will document the work in technical and/or peer-reviewed scientific papers.

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
• 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.
• Per E.O. 14043, selectee(s) must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by 11/22/2021 or date of employment (which ever comes later) except in limited circumstances where an exemption is approved due to a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final Top Secret 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 A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or fail the test.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.
• You will be required to complete ethics orientation within three months of appointment and submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, within 30 days of appointment.
• Supervisors in the executive branch have a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. You will be required to review the 14 General Principles of Ethical Conduct at 5 CFR 2635.101.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Requirements (see Education), your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Performing and analyzing observations at an astronomical observatory.
• Performing nautical/astronomical almanac-related studies and developing almanac applications.
• Utilizing expert knowledge of practical astronomy, positional astronomy, solar system dynamics and/or celestial navigation to provide technical leadership for a mission-related project.
• Designing scientific computer programs written in programming languages, such as Fortran, Python, C or other high-level language.
• Drafting and presenting scientific publications and/or technical documents.
• Collaborating with external agencies personnel and/or national and international scientists for a mission-related project.

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/1300/astronomy-and-space-science-series-1330/

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.

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.

As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation.

If selected, you may be required to provide additional 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 qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.