Clarification from the agency

**This vacancy has been amended to extend the closing date from 1/17/23 to 1/19/23.**

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• Duties described below are at the full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Supports activities as part of a team to deliver on products: supporting work plan definition, executing and developing products, and delivering and presenting on results.
• Supports systems analysis business development efforts, including development/execution of capture plans and crafting of advocacy materials.
• Conducts design, sizing, analysis, and assessments of space systems, missions, architectures, and campaigns, inclusive of benefit, cost, schedule, and risk factors. Applies knowledge of orbital and flight mechanics.
• Defines and develops math models of space systems, architectures, campaigns, and portfolios to explore, analyze, and assess the design space.
• Elicits and integrates knowledge from subject matter experts and decision-makers to inform analysis and assessment activities through the use of open, transparent, and structured methods.
• Conducts performance and technology assessments of missions and architectures for capability baselines, options for capability evolution, and gaps between current state of the art and required capabilities.

Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• If selected, the incumbent may be required to complete a financial disclosure statement at the higher/full performance grade level of the position.
• This position may require a one year trial period.
• Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-07, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal sector:

• Studying or assisting in aerospace related research, development design, operations; OR
• Assisting in the process of gathering data for conducting engineering analysis and/or assessments.

OR
b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to complete 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
d) Any combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to have any combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
f) You may also qualify at the GS-07 level by meeting or expecting to meet one of these Special Provisions by September 10, 2023:

1. Are in the upper third of your class, based on completed college work at the time of filing an application.
2. Have an average of 2.9 or better on a 4.0 scale for either all completed college work at the time of application or all college courses completed during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum.
3. Achieved a grade average of B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the major field of study where such field is fully qualifying. This is either the average of all completed college work in the major field of study at the time of application or the average of all college courses completed in the major field of study during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum.
4. Elected to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies (other than freshman honor societies). These honor societies are listed at ACHS.
5. Completed 12 months of student trainee experience that includes at least one work period equivalent to the GS-5, or at least 15 months of appropriate student trainee experience which includes one work period equivalent to the GS-04 level. One work period is 2 months or 320 hours.
6. For engineering positions, successfully completed a 5-year program of study, or at least 160 semester hours, leading to a bachelor's degree.
7. For engineering positions, have a professional engineering degree, and up to 12 months of experience gained as a technician or technologist equivalent to the GS-5 or higher level.
8. Successfully completed all requirements for two bachelor's degrees, one in an appropriate field of science or engineering.
9. Have six months of directly related/specialized experience or training, including 3 months gained after the junior year of college. This experience may have been obtained on a part-time or intermittent basis and may have been paid or unpaid.
10. Received honors or elective positions indicating superior leadership outside of your academic setting. Additionally, your academic standing must have been in the upper half of the graduating class.
11. Have pattern of completing courses that include unusual preparatory value or direct relation to the particular aerospace specialty for which you are being considered.
12. Have creative research aptitude or special talent for NASA scientific or engineering work. This must be shown by evidence obtained and documented by NASA in certifications from college professors or officials, or standardized questionnaires, or similar techniques.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the federal sector:

• Supporting at least one of the following, with oversight from a senior engineer: modeling of systems, trade studies or sensitivity analysis, aerospace analysis, or the assessments of aerospace mission capabilities.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to complete all requirements for a master's or equivalent degree in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
d) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to complete 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d) and e) above
OR
g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as described in a), b), c), d) and e) above by September 10, 2023.

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal sector:

• Supporting at least one of the following, with oversight from a senior engineer: modeling of complex systems, trade studies or sensitivity analysis, aerospace architecture/mission/vehicle design and analysis, or assessments of aerospace mission capabilities, and/or gap analyses between current state of the art and required capabilities; and
• Gathering data to support interpreting analysis results.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to compete all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
d) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to complete 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field by September 10, 2023
OR
f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d), and e) above
OR
g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as described in a), b), c), d) and e) above by September 10, 2023.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only:
Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering (except power), Electronics Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics.
Other appropriate physical or computer science, mathematics or engineering fields are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by at least 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) of appropriate physical science or engineering courses including nine semester hours (or the equivalent) of physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics or gas dynamics.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Advanced Analysis and Design Method Development
• Mathematical Modeling and Analysis
• Aerospace Engineering
• Planning and Evaluating

NASA considers 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.