Job summary

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.

Major duties

You will serve as a Physicist in the role of Chief Scientist Precise Time Department, U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC. You will perform consulting or other professional, scientific, technical, administrative, fiscal, or other specialized work of equal importance, difficulty, and responsibility, and requiring comparable qualifications. You will conceive, plan, and conduct pioneering work of outstanding scope, difficulty, and complexity in unexplored or previously unpromising areas of investigation. You will conduct research, or participate in multi-person, multi-organization research projects, in fields related to precise time and time dissemination. You will devise and implement independent processes to evaluate the quality of the Departments time services, over and above the routine checks performed as part of operations. You will represent the Department at national and international specific conferences and working groups, as well as scientific meetings within the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO).

Qualification

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound. EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Education Requirements above, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-14 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience keeping abreast of the latest developments in physics and engineering that can be applied to the development and applications of clocks and time transfer technologies of the future. Experience in conducting their own research or participates in multi-person, multi-organization research projects, in fields related to precise time and time dissemination. Experience at the Department Head discretion, the incumbent represents the Department at national and international scientific conferences and working groups, as well as scientific meetings within the USNO. Experience with the instrumentation (clocks and time-transfer system of various types) required for precise timekeeping. Experience to solve complex scientific problems, and the knowledge and skills necessary to use a computer to solve scientific problems. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: Physics Series 1310 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.

Education

Basic Requirements: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound.

Evaluations

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.