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NRO Developmental Program-Technical Career Path

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Chantilly, Virginia
Closing date
Oct 1, 2020
Duties

Summary

NRO will select multiple motivated, highly qualified individuals to engage in the developmental program while applying creative solutions to complex technical and operational problems. In a developmental position, candidates will plan and accomplish the work of the position under close but decreasing supervision until all duties can be performed independently with little or no guidance. Upon meeting performance requirements, employees may be promoted up to the full performance grade (GG-12).
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The developmental employee will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support the full performance level duties below .

Developmental Support Opportunities:
  • Specific instructional guidance and a specific formal development plan to enable the individual to progressively perform increasingly technically complex assignments and tasks with more responsibility and less guidance.
  • On-the-job training providing technical and professional advice on issues affecting the NRO.
  • Formal training on how to originate new and improve existing applications and strategies for technical concepts, theories, and principles that affect the planning, completions and direction of major scientific and engineering projects.
  • Instructional guidance on making decisions to resolve specific issues and problems while considering different, incomplete and often conflicting information and alternatives.
  • On-the-job training for developing, delivering, and sustaining overhead reconnaissance systems, including technical solutions for spacecraft hardware, ground, and communication components, and mission software systems.
  • Diverse training in various mission areas including program management, procurement, development, and supporting technical initiatives and/or operations.
  • Pursuing full performance target level of GG-12 duties.
Full Performance GG-12, Interdisciplinary Technical (0801/1301/1501) Duties:
  • Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation determining and/or executing actions for a wide range of assignments involving a combination of complex features.
  • Provide advice to senior colleagues and/or management officials responsible for broad program operations.
  • Research trends and patterns; develop new methods and criteria; propose new policies and practices; conduct technical analysis and field laboratory work to achieve products or services.
  • Evaluate the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications.
  • Assess project and program effectiveness interacting with NRO-user community with respect to system and/or operational requirements.
  • Provide expertise and advice on program planning and policy-making functions covering a broad range of engineering and scientific program and plans. Develop and advise on and implement critical projects and/or segments of NRO programs, projects, or activities.
  • Initiate and conduct thorough and comprehensive analytical studies or other complex studies involving varied subject matters. Studies vary in complexity based on scenario and the number of analytical models employed. Define the problem, formulate scope, establish objectives, formulate methodologies, coordinate research contributions of others and identify significant findings. Produce insightful findings, alternative courses of action, solutions to critical problems, etc., which have significant impact in changing or improving practical and/or theoretical concept development to future special operations.
  • Conduct systemic exploration of problems and analysis of alternatives. Present trend analysis data ascertaining potential problem areas. Define the problems involved, formulate concepts in addressing these problems, and review and evaluate the final outcomes of the study. Identify and clarify major factors and issues of the study. Establish the objectives and approach; formulate methodologies; and plans, advise on and coordinate study activities.
  • Plan, execute and report on original studies or ongoing studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems, modifying and adapting standard procedures, methods and techniques to address problems.
  • Plan, coordinate, implement, test, and conduct projects, serving as an advisor to other scientists or engineers.
  • Perform scientific and technical evaluation, correlation, synthesis and presentation or important data in a complex field making significant technical and scientific recommendations and decisions.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - May be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a US citizen
  • Male born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
  • This is a Drug Testing designated position
  • Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
  • Must obtain/maintain Critical Sensitive TS/SCI clearance w/polygraph
  • WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
  • OVERTIME: Occasionally
  • TOUR OF DUTY: Flexible
  • PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized.
  • FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA): Exempt
  • FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Required
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position is NOT telework eligible
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE REQUIREMENT: For more information please visit: https://www.sss.gov/


Qualifications

NRO Cadre employees in developmental positions may be promoted up to the full performance grade (GG-12) upon meeting benchmarks and milestones established by NRO Career Field Managers (CFMs), and in accordance with career development program standards and guidance. Further promotions will be accomplished competitively via voluntary participation in the NRO annual promotion process .

This position has a Basic Requirement for the 0801/1301/1501 series:
Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification- standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/

For the 1301 Series: REQUIRED: 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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualificationstandards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

For the 1501 Series: REQUIRED: Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedulequalification-standards/1500/general-mathematics-and-statistics-series-1501star/
*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

**NOTE: Applicants with at least 90 semester hours towards completion of a Bachelor's degree as described above may be considered for this position. An offer of employment may not be given until the applicant completed required degree requirements as notated above.

The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Links above for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 09/30/2020

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Demonstrated experience, through academic and professional achievement, required for this position is:
For the GG-07:
1. Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific and engineering disciplines such as mathematics, physics, physical sciences, statistics, operations research and systems engineering and architecture.
2. Organize data and apply conventional analytical methods and techniques to quantitative and qualitative analyses and assessments. Examples may include statistics, modeling and simulation, and decision analytics.
3. Training in the missions, roles, functions, and operations, which govern, interface with and/or influence the systems acquisition process and integrated lifecycle management.
4. Knowledge of applying analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce analytical products (such as test plans and final reports), to employ methodological approaches to analyze information.
5. Ability to work independently and within a team or collaborative environment.

For the GG-07: Candidates must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree (see education requirements below).

For the GG-09:
1. Applies the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific and engineering disciplines such as mathematics, physics, physical sciences, statistics, operations research and systems engineering and architecture.
2. Gather and apply conventional analytical methods and techniques to quantitative and qualitative analyses and assessments. Examples may include statistics, modeling and simulation, and decision analytics.
3. Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operations which govern, interface with and/or influence the systems acquisition process and integrated lifecycle management.
4. Apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce analytical products (such as test plans and final reports), and the ability to employ methodological approaches to analyze information.
5. Work independently and within a team or collaborative environment.

For the GG-09: Candidates must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree and have greater than 12 months relevant experience. If substituting education for experience, at theGG-09level,a Master's or equivalent degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such as degree or PhD.

Specifically, applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies:
1. Engineering & Technology
2. Critical Thinking
3. Technical Competence
4. Research
5. Communication

This position is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA): Acquisition Category S (Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering) or Category P (Business Cost Estimating) or Category T (Test and Evaluation Engineering) Level I & II and employee must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Employee shall maintain, at a minimum 80 continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website at the following link: http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/CareerLvl.aspx

Education

A. Degree: Engineering: To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) 2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualificationstandards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

For the 1301 Series: REQUIRED: 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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualificationstandards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/

For the 1501 Series: REQUIRED: Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
OR
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedulequalification-standards/1500/general-mathematics-and-statistics-series-1501star/

**Applicants with at least 90 semester hours towards completion of a Bachelor's degree as described above may be considered for this position. An offer of employment may not be given until the applicant completed required degree requirements as notated above.

***Transcripts MUST be provided. Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.
- Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
- Superior Academic Achievement does not apply to DCIPS positions.

If substituting education for experience, at the GG-07 level, you must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree.

If substituting education for experience, at the GG-09 level,a Master's or equivalent degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such as degree or PhD.

Foreign Education: For further information, click on the following link: FOREIGN EDUCATION

For further information, click on the following link: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

This position is a Developmental DCIPS position. DCIPS Developmental level positions include GG-07 and GG-09. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current GS/GG-11 and GS/GG-12 Federal Government employees for this position. Federal Government employees, who currently are GS/GG-07, GS/GG-09, or equivalent, may only apply for lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Those selected at the GS/GG-07 or GS/GG-09 grade level may be considered for future competitive promotion under the NRO internal promotion evaluation process.

**Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 2006


VETERANS PREFERENCE CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instructions 1400.25 Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.


Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All current civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Other Notes:
  • Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
  • If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
  • If selected, NON-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
  • Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.
  • All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.
  • This is not a Delegating Examining announcement
  • This is a DCIPS excepted service announcement


How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc).

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

The following documents are REQUIRED
1. Your resume:
  • Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the dates of employment (i.e.,Month/Year to present").
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
2. Transcripts
  • This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript
  • College transcript(s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain the applicant's name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was AWARDED/CONFERRED , and the list of classes and credits earned.
  • Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.
3. SF50
  • All current civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your latest SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

4. Veteran's Documents
  • DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
  • In accordance with DoD Instructions 1400.25 Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation%205-4-2020.pdf?ver=2020-05-07-140551-783

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.

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