Senior Technical Physical Scientist

United States Fleet Forces Command • Washington, DC

12h • Onsite

About The Position

Serve as the Celestial Reference Frame Director (CRFD) Senior Technical Physical Scientist at U.S. Naval Observatory headquarters in Washington, DC. This is a Senior Scientific position in the federal government, with duties broad and complex enough to be classified above GS-15. Senior-level positions involve high-level research and development in physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences.

The position provides scientific leadership for celestial reference frame (CRF) and Earth Orientation (EO) programs and research, advises the USNO Scientific Director on evolving requirements and potential programs, and manages CRF programs in response to future Department of War (DoW) needs. It also involves working with stakeholders and mission partners, coordinating national and international collaborations, and representing USNO in scientific forums and working groups.

The role is based at USNO headquarters in Washington, DC. Travel from the normal duty station to locations in the continental United States and overseas may be required, potentially including remote or isolated sites. The employee must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods. A relocation incentive may be authorized. Federal benefits are available, subject to eligibility based on position type.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• Must complete ethics orientation within three months of appointment and submit an OGE-278e Public Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment.
• Must obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance before starting work.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test and be subject to random testing.
• Must obtain and maintain a U.S. Passport.
• Must be willing to submit to and successfully complete a Counterintelligence (CI) scope polygraph examination.
• Must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods; travel may include CONUS and OCONUS locations and remote or isolated sites.
• Resume must be no more than two pages and demonstrate relevant experience, education, and accomplishments addressing the technical qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience in Celestial Reference Frames and Earth Orientation, including practical applications, conventional scientific/technical standards, and international collaboration standards.
• Comprehensive theoretical and technical knowledge of DoD requirements for CRF and Earth Orientation, with demonstrated ability to research, evaluate, and advocate for capabilities that improve CRF program security, integrity, and operations.
• For the 1301 General Physical Science Series, a degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics including 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science; alternatively, education equivalent to one of those majors including at least 24 relevant semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• New Department of the Navy employees must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Retired military members appointed within 180 days immediately following retirement are subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3326.

Responsibilities

• Advise the USNO Scientific Director on evolving requirements and potential new programs.
• Work with the Scientific Director to prioritize and program resources in line with requirements and emerging community needs.
• Monitor and oversee development of system concepts and maturation of capabilities through all phases of capability development.
• Manage CRF programs based on evolving future DoW needs.
• Provide scientific leadership for future CRF developments within the CRFD.
• Plan, execute, and review research in CRF and Earth Orientation, including establishing quality standards for research conducted at USNO.
• Interface with senior DoW personnel, mission partners, and PNT stakeholders to facilitate dissemination of CRF and EOP standard products.
• Work with stakeholders to define parameters and investigation focus areas, and to assess and validate processes.
• Work with DoW personnel to establish evolving requirements for celestial information and implement necessary improvements in DoW capabilities.
• Make technical presentations at conferences to program managers and senior executive audiences to establish CRF requirements and explain products and their use.
• Act as a DoW liaison with national and international programs and lead multiagency collaborations to address technical challenges and meet data product requirements.
• Represent USNO at national and international scientific forums and participate in national and international scientific working groups concerned with CRFs and Earth Orientation.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package, subject to position-based eligibility.
• A relocation incentive may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior