Astronomer

• Operate the SMA during scheduledscience handling telescopestartup/shutdown array setup andprogram execution.
• Support the SMA scheduler byadvising on observing strategies andproviding technical guidance onsystem capabilities and operationalconstraints
• Strictly follow established safetyprotocols during telescopeoperations and maintenance toprotect personnel equipment andobservatory operations.
• Monitor telescope instrumentationand environmental performance inreal time including pointing anddata quality to promptly identifytroubleshoot and resolve anomalies
• Monitor system statuscontinuouslydocument operationalissues thoroughly and performroutine maintenance activities suchas log verification and systemchecks.
• Participate actively in the analysisand interpretation of test data whichmay include the precise integrationof pointing data acquired fromoptical and radio observations andfrom tilt meters into a global modelof antenna performance.
• Assist visiting and staff astronomerswith astronomical observations andevaluate scientific data includingdetailed data analysis withastronomical image processingsoftware such as CASA MIRIADor IDL.
• Participate actively in themodification or development ofobservational and data reductionsoftware.
• Modify existing code undersupervision to effectively automaterepetitive tasks optimize dataprocessing or improve overallworkflow efficiency.
• Maintain highly organized directoriesdetailed metadata and comprehensivedocumentation for ensuring scientificreproducibility.
• Prepare clear concise summaries ofobservational results and complex dataprocessing steps for team review.
• Present informative short briefings onassigned tasks during regular teammeetings
• Collaborate effectively with engineerstechnicians and senior astronomers tosupport and advance mission objectives.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation.
• Selectee may be required to serve a probationary period.
• This position supports astronomical observing operations and requires participation in a rotating work schedule that includes evenings overnight shifts weekends and holidays.
• Work is performed at a remote observatory site.
• Work is conducted in low-light environments and may involve extended computer use outdoor exposure to weather conditions and occasional lifting or handling of scientific equipment.

Applicants must meet the Basic Education Requirement and/or the specialized experience requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Education Requirement (GS-1330 Astronomy and Space Science Series)

Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy physics mathematics space science or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.

or

Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy space science physics mathematics and electronics with required course work as shown in A above plus appropriate experience or additional education.

GS 07 Specialized Experience:

You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes activities such as operating a telescope at a world class or university observatory leading or assisting with astronomical or physics research or writing or modifying computer software either professionally or as part of class work.

OR

Education

One full year of graduate-level education in astronomy physics astrophysics or a closely related physical science may be substituted to meet the specialized experience Academic Achievement (SAA) may also be used to qualify. SAA is based on a bachelors degree with one of the following:

A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last two years of study;

A GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for courses in the major field of study or those completed in the last two years of study;

Rank in the upper one-third of the graduating class; or

Membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

OR

Combination

Education and experience may be combined to meet qualification requirements. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education:If you are qualifying by education and/or have education completed at a foreign college or university you must provide transcripts and documentation verifying U.S. equivalency. See the Required Documents section of this announcement for additional information.

Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point. For example 2.95 is rounded to 3.0 and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of undergraduate coursework was completed on a pass/fail basis qualification under Superior Academic Achievement must be based on class standing or honor society membership.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work performed through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer experience helps build critical competencies and may be credited if directly related to the duties of this position.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be prorated to determine creditable experience. Applicants should clearly indicate the number of hours worked per week.