Duties

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The National Air and Space Museum Research and Curatorial Affairs Directorate includes the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.

The incumbent conducts scientific research in planetary and terrestrial geology, geophysics, and remote sensing with emphasis on data analysis and synthesis.

This position is outside the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

GS-12

• Literature review and proposals: Incumbent remains abreast of of current scientific literature relevant to his/her research topics and collaborates with scientist and scholars in associated areas. She/He participates in national and international conferences and meetings of professional associations to report on research findings and trends in the fields of geology and geophysics as they relate to his or her expertise in Earth and planetary science.
• Research and analysis: Research by the scientist consists of analyzing remote sensing or directly measured data for the Earth and other planets, with the goal of answering significant scientific questions regarding planetary surfaces, atmospheres and/or interiors. The scientist is expected to formulate hypothesis for planetary processes based on previous information and test these concepts with new methods and data.
• Public outreach: Assists other Museum personnel in planning exhibits related to areas of curatorial responsibility and advises on scientific content of NASM related to Earth and planetary science. These duties may include development of gallery scripts, preparation of appropriate image products for display and preparation of proposals for external funding of exhibits. The incumbent is active in education and public outreach efforts in the fields of Earth and planetary science.

GS-13

• Literature review and proposals: Incumbent remains abreast of of current scientific literature relevant to his/her research topics and collaborates with scientist and scholars in associated areas. The incumbent supervises the scientific work of visiting students and postdoctoral researchers. The incumbent is responsible for the management, of grants and contracts, management of supporting personnel and submission of interim and final reports.
• Research and analysis: Research by the scientist consists of analyzing remote sensing or directly measured data for the Earth and other planets, with the goal of answering significant scientific questions regarding planetary surfaces, atmospheres and/or interiors. The scientist is expected to formulate hypothesis for planetary processes based on previous information and test these concepts with new methods and data. It is expected that such work forms the basis of new data acquisition by existing spacecraft or development of scientific experiments for future missions.
• Public outreach: Assists other Museum personnel in planning exhibits related to areas of curatorial responsibility and advises on scientific content of NASM related to Earth and planetary science. These duties may include development of gallery scripts, preparation of appropriate image products for display and preparation of proposals for external funding of exhibits. The incumbent is active in education and public outreach efforts in the fields of Earth and planetary science.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor's recommendation to the next grade.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Qualifications

BASIC Qualification Requirements:

Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic qualifications applicant must also meet specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, are not required to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

For this position at the GS-12 level, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position at the GS-13 level, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

GS-12: as applying the principles, theories, and methods of geology to test scientific hypotheses regarding the Earth or other planetary bodies; conducting scientific investigations using spacecraft datasets; and publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers that advance the applicant's field of study.

GS-13: Managing externally funded scientific investigations that use spacecraft datasets to test scientific hypotheses regarding the Earth and other planetary bodies; publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers that significantly influence other investigations or spacecraft data collection; and advising or supervising studies by post-doctoral researchers

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment on your online resume.

Note: Your specialized experience must have been in a position(s) equivalent to duties for the occupation at the next lower grade level for the position being filled as defined by applicable Federal standards.

Education

At the GS-12, applicant can substitute specialized experience with a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Geology. There is no substitution for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

Additional information

Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.asp

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Knowledge of geological sciences with emphasis on one or more remote sensing, geophysical, or field techniques.
• Service on externally funded research projects in planetary geological sciences.
• Ability to conduct scholarly research in planetary geological sciences.
• Skill in presenting research results to a professional community and communicating science to public audiences.

Important Note:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience.

Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Your application package should include the following documents:

• Detailed resume that includes dates and hours worked.
• Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action
• Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
• A recent performance evaluation
• Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy) if you are requesting a special appointment authority, such as VRA or VEOA
• Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration
• Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order
• Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.