Summary
The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) collects and provides the critical satellite Earth observations and other essential environmental information needed for disaster preparedness, all hazards response and recovery and the protection of the Nation's critical infrastructure and natural resources.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all groups of Qualified Individuals/All-Sources (U.S. Citizens Only).
Duties
The Senior Scientist for GeoXO is recognized nationally and internationally as an authority and leader in satellite remote sensing for various earth orbit observations systems. The incumbent identifies national and agency needs for the use of satellite data to study environmental, atmospheric, and oceanic problems, and is sought after on important questions such as the scope and content of applied scientific programs. The incumbent reviews, analyzes, and evaluates new and existing plans, programs, and proposals for research initiatives as submitted by various researchers using GeoXO and partner data.
Specific duties of the Senior Scientist for GeoXO include:
1. Provides the principal scientific guidance to the NESDIS leadership during the formulation of GeoXO performance requirements and architectural stages, as well as safeguarding those scientific requirements during the implementation phase. Supports the formulation of the mission-level architecture of spacecraft and instruments to optimize scientific return. Serves as the key adviser to the SPD in decisions impacting GeoXO performance, cost, and schedule as well as decisions that trade among competing instrument suites and operational constraints on the spacecraft. Assists the SPD in optimizing GeoXO scientific performance.
2. Serves as an independent expert and representative of the science and user communities responsible for ensuring the scientific integrity at all stages of GeoXO satellite development. Provides scientific rationales to define the instrument suites with performance requirements for measurements and derived products that satisfy user needs. Advocates for GeoXO scientific objectives with internal and external stakeholders including DOC, OMB, and Congress.
3. Evaluates and prioritizes user requirements, and transforms these requirements for instrumentation, data products, and services, into GeoXO applicable technical requirements. Works with the NOAA and inter-agency user community to define the users' needs, operational requirements, and science data product requirements through the GeoXO Requirements Working Group (XORWG). Serves as Chairman of the XORWG. Assures the mission serves NOAA's vision and goals, operations, and user requirements defined by the XORWG.
4. Leads scientific implementation of the GeoXO program. Represents science objectives at major milestone reviews. Develops science implementation plans for GeoXO. Advises the program engineering team and developers on science goals and user needs. Supports development of the program budget. Provides scientific leadership in assuring that the instrument data are effectively used by the mission users through education, proving ground, proxy data, and other techniques. Analyzes the value of the GeoXO observations to meet user needs and justify investments.
5. Maintains technical liaison with NASA and other agencies, ensuring approved programs have the required capability to coordinate with GeoXO satellite capabilities. Establishes relationships with partner organizations to secure use of their data products to evaluate their capabilities and prepare users for comparable GeoXO observations. Provides scientific support to international partners planning to use GeoXO observations, including assessing the compatibility of GeoXO space systems and ground data processing functions with partner systems.
6. Communicates with interagency and international counterparts on research and development efforts related to GeoXO including the World Meteorological Organization, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and Japanese Meteorological Agency. Advises international partner agencies on GeoXO capabilities and plans. Convenes science and application working groups to ensure users and prepared for GeoXO observations and to propose research on future applications.
7. Develops processes to prioritize user needs in order to recommend the highest-value GeoXO data products. Works with NESDIS product development scientists to ensure algorithm development plans meet user needs. Conducts research to advance use of GeoXO and related partner data. Evaluates and recommends improvements in the algorithms and ground processing. Communicates findings and recommendations to the SPD, to other NOAA scientists, and to the data users. Responsible to assess and project present and future needs, the formulation of alternative products and services, and reevaluating progress to assure that the highest-priority user needs continue to be met.
8. Directs systematic, critical, intensive investigation toward the development of new or fuller scientific knowledge. Develops the principles, criteria, methods, and a body of data of general applicability for use by others.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
To meet the minimum requirements for this position, candidates must demonstrate their experience in their narrative responses to the Mandatory Professional/ Professional Technical Qualifications (MTQs/PTQs) questions and all narrative responses must be fully supported within their resume.
Experience must have been at a sufficiently high level of difficulty to clearly show that the candidate possesses the required professional/technical qualifications set forth below.
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.
Professional Technical Qualifications: Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they possess technical attributes in the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs).
Key Requirements:
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
- Newly appointed ST members must serve a 1 year probationary period.
- Position is subject to pre-employment background investigation.
- Public Financial Disclosure (OGE-278 filing within 30 days is required).
- Position is subject to random drug testing.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess all of the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs). These qualifications would typically be acquired through education, experience, and training which reflect progressive development and achievement in leading teams and/or projects for a comprehensive business program in a complex organization. An individual's total experience and education must demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.
All applicants will be evaluated by a panel to determine the degree to which they possess the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). To be rated and considered for this position, applicants are requested to fully describe their experience in each of the following PTQs:
Professional Technical Core Qualifications (PTQs):
PTQ 1 - At least 3 years of comprehensive knowledge and experience in remote sensing satellites, their mechanisms, ground control, data acquisition, and processing system, as well as high-level technical capability in the range of scientific disciplines as related to state-of-the-art earth remote-sensing satellite development.
PTQ 2 - Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the area of applications of satellite data and services for end-user purposes with at least 1 year of experience in planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding research attainments.
NOTE: Responses to PTQs must not exceed 2 pages per PTQ, for a total of 4 pages.
Education
A. 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
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.
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.
Review our 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.
Applicants are required to submit a narrative statement for each Professional Technical Qualification (PTQ) listed. Please keep in mind each PTQ are unique qualifications. Therefore, duplicate responses are not sufficient in determining if you meet that specific qualification. Failure to submit a narrative statement or address any of the PTQs is also considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. As a result, you will be rated as "INCOMPLETE".
All applicants will be evaluated by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) rating panel of senior managers to determine the degree to which they possess the PTQs and best qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The ERB rating panel will make recommendations on best qualified candidates to the appointing authority. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience and the PTQs.
Do not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. Applications directing the reader to search within the application or to "See Resume" are considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Failure to submit a narrative statement or address any of the PTQs is also considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. As a result, you will be rated as "INCOMPLETE".
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
-Best Qualified
-Well Qualified
-Qualified
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor
Required Documents
Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
1. Resume
2. Transcripts (Official or Unofficial) from the institution's registrar; dean or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation which confirms completion of requirement for the required degree.
If you have completed any part of your education outside of the U.S., you must submit the evaluation of your foreign education that has been prepared by an accredited organization. Please refer to https://sites.ed.gov/international/working-in-the-united-states/ for more information.
3. For current Federal employees: You are encouraged to submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that documents your current tenure, position title, series and grade level.
4. PTQ narrative responses should be attached under "Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs)".
Applicants who fail to submit requested documents and answer the mandatory questions WILL NOT receive consideration for this position. Application will result in an "Incomplete" rating.
If you are unable to upload documents, you may fax your documents using the instructions below. Please fax with the appropriate cover sheet. Please refer to the fax cover sheet for the fax number. Each document must be dialed and faxed in separately as each sheet includes an identification number, which ensures your document is processed correctly.
FAXING INSTRUCTIONS: Please fax legible documents using the appropriate cover sheet. Documents may be faxed at any time during the open period of this announcement by going to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov
1. Log into MYUSAJOBS
2. Click on "Applications"
3. Locate the vacancy you applied to
4. Under "Applicant Status" column, click on "More Information"
5. Select "View/Generate Fax Cover Sheet" and click "Continue"
Do not submit any additional information that is not required: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.
If you do not have access to the internet, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
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
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process; answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
To apply on-line, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USA JOBS website at http://www.usajobs.gov. To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom of this screen and follow the prompts to register into your USA JOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USA JOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue.
Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying on-line for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please call 1-877-662-7730 Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST (excluding Federal holidays) for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
Next steps
The Office of Executive Resources will provide notification of applicant status through periodic emails at the four points of the hiring process, as applicable, in a timely fashion. The four points of notification are: Application Received; Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Not Met; Panel Rating of Best Qualified (Application referred to the Selecting Official) or Panel Rating of Well Qualified/Qualified (Application not referred to Selecting Official); and Selected or Not Selected. The most best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified by email of the receipt of your application.
Applicants can check the status of their application at any time after the announcement closes by accessing USAJOBS website.
Select "My USAJOBS" and enter your ID and password. Click the link titled "Applications" and select the link under "Application Status" next to the name of the announcement. Your status will be updated as changes occur.
If you have any questions, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist at the telephone number listed in the announcement.