This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/729999800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
This is the position of Assistant Project Scientist for Earth Science with the Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) in the High Energy Astrophysics Division at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). The ADS, on-line since 1993, is one of the world’s great digital information systems and is expanding its services to serve all of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate Disciplines, including Earth Science.
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Overview
- Reviewing applications
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Open & closing dates
06/06/2023 to 08/21/2023
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Salary
$93,175 - $170,205 per year
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Pay scale & grade
IS 12 - 14
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
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Remote job
No
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
Occasional travel - Domestic and international travel may be required to attend scientific conferences and/or technical collaboration meetings.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent - Indefinite Trust Appointment. This is not a Federal position.
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Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
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Service
Competitive
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Promotion potential
14
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Position sensitivity and risk
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Trust determination process
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Announcement number
23-96
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Control number
729999800
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This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all qualified candidates. Selection will be made at the grade 12, 13 or 14 grade level. If selection is made at the grade 12 or 13 level the selectee may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher level up to the grade 14, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, qualifications of the employee and recommendation of the Professional Accomplishments Evaluation Committee ( PAEC).
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Duties
The employee will work to establish and maintain the ADS as a world leading information resource for earth scientists. The employee will maintain a deep state-of-the-art/practice knowledge of the aspects of Computer/Information Science which could be most beneficial to earth scientists. The employee will maintain a state-of-the-art knowledge of Earth Science organizations, missions, and data archives. The employee will devote time to do original research in Earth Science.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Serve as the principal ADS scientific resource in the field of Earth Science; advise ADS management on all matters relating to the field of Earth Science and its research community. Participate in representing the project to the Earth Science community, including the NASA’s Earth Science Data System Program and its Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). Assist in organizing relevant advisory groups. Understand the Earth Science community and its research needs.
- Function as part of a team to design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Earth Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
- Curate and manage earth science content in the ADS, including scientific literature, datasets, and software. Develop and maintain tools and documentation to illustrate discovery and access to earth science data and metadata in the ADS.
- Serve as a research scientist at the intersection of Earth and Information Science. Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Earth Science. Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals.
- Assist in the ongoing operation and maintenance of the ADS.
In addition to the duties above , duties at the grade 13 may include but are not limited to:
- Design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Earth Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
- Serve as an internationally recognized scientist at the intersection of Earth and Information Science. Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Earth Science. Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals.
In addition to the duties above , duties at the grade 14 may include but are not limited to:
- Conceive, design and, in collaboration with ADS staff, develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information relating to Earth Science. Help design and develop new and improved methods to search, discover, and use scholarly information for interdisciplinary studies, particularly those disciplines in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
- Serve as an internationally recognized expert thought leader at the intersection of Earth and Information Science. Attend meetings, give talks, write papers, and serve on committees, as appropriate. Maintain an active research program in Earth Science. Publish papers in the main refereed disciplinary journals
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
- Pre- and post-appointment background investigation.
- Direct Deposit/Elect Funds Transfer required for salary payment.
- First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- Degree: 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
- 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.
In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements applicants must have the specialized experience and/ or directly related education in the amounts shown below:
Grade 12
A. Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree
or
B. A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. This experience includes producing scientific publications and experience conducting independent research programs in an academic or research environment; knowledge of software development for earth science data analysis and application of analytic techniques in a research or similar environment as well as experience advising technical staff.
or
C. A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above
Grade 13:
A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. This experience includes producing scientific publications and experience conducting independent research programs in an academic or research environment which have answered important questions in the field; mastery of software for earth science data analysis and application of analytic techniques in a research or similar environment as well as experience advising technical staff.
Grade 14:
A minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least grade 13 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. This experience includes experience identifying and leading major new scientific development initiatives; participating in research planning activities, including participation on advisory committees, scientific workshops, conferences, etc and supervising a diverse staff of scientists, technical and administrative staff.
Qualification requirements are derived from the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/
Additional information
The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
A recruitment bonus may be paid
Benefits
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 qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
- Knowledge of Earth Science as may be evidenced by a Ph.D. in Earth Science, Physics, or a related field.
- Knowledge of Earth Science, as evidenced by publications which have answered important questions in the field or have contributed to significant advances.
- Knowledge of software development for Earth Science data analysis and data science as well as the application of analytic techniques to the solution of scientific problems.
- Ability to conduct independent research programs.
- Ability to advise technical staff in the curation of scholarly works; ability to communicate and work with scientists inside and outside SAO
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Benefits
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your application package must include the
following documents:
- Detailed resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
- School transcripts or degree certificate
- Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
- Name, telephone number and email address of three (3) professional references.
- 1-2 page summary of research interests
- 1-page document providing your vision statement for the role of the ADS in the scholarly astronomy community at large.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
How to Apply
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.
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
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SMITHSONIAN
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an automated email acknowledgement that your application has been received. This may take several hours. We often receive a large number of applications for a job. We review each application carefully, and this process may take a few weeks. As we go through each round of review, we will send you an email to date you on your status.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Help
Required Documents
Your application package must include the
following documents:
- Detailed resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
- School transcripts or degree certificate
- Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
- Name, telephone number and email address of three (3) professional references.
- 1-2 page summary of research interests
- 1-page document providing your vision statement for the role of the ADS in the scholarly astronomy community at large.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
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.
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States
Next steps
You will receive an automated email acknowledgement that your application has been received. This may take several hours. We often receive a large number of applications for a job. We review each application carefully, and this process may take a few weeks. As we go through each round of review, we will send you an email to date you on your status.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is part of what is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where the staff carries out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences. If you would like to join this exciting organization, apply today!
Agency contact information
Mary Hebert
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
United States