Duties

• Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Document important research findings and system developments through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations at relevant workshops and conferences.
• Coordinate, plan, propose, execute, and evaluate research projects supporting the overall objectives of NASA?s Earth Science Division and its partners.
• Provide technical leadership in the development, interpretation, and/or use of Land Data Assimilation systems.
• Support or lead efforts to explore the optimal use of remote sensing data within land data assimilation systems and their potential application to food security and/or water resources through a variety of methods.
• Interact regularly with collaborating scientists both within the organization and among the wider community and interface with other government organizations and agencies to advance development and use of Land Data Assimilation systems.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement
• Please see the "Additional Information" section for important information about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees.

Qualifications

In addition to the basic education requirement (shown below), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. A review may be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and supplemental materials may be required from the selectee. Please keep this in mind when indicating the lowest grade you will accept.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level applying concepts, advanced computing techniques, and methods in mathematics, physics, remote sensing, or physical science to conduct research on and application of land data assimilation systems. Experience using atmospheric and/or hydrologic remote sensing data to understand and characterize the interactions among the elements of the Earth System in general, and the hydrosphere in particular.

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level leading a team of researchers and/or scientists; leading research projects. Mastery level experience applying concepts, advanced computing techniques, and methods in mathematics, physics, remote sensing, or physical science to conduct research on and application of land data assimilation systems. Mastery level experience using atmospheric and/or hydrologic remote sensing data to understand and characterize the interactions among the elements of the Earth System in general, and the hydrosphere in particular.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level leading a team of researchers and/or scientists; leading research projects. Recognized expertise applying concepts, advanced computing techniques, and methods in mathematics, physics, remote sensing, or physical science to conduct research on and application of land data assimilation systems. Expertise applying atmospheric and/or hydrologic remote sensing data to understand and characterize the interactions among the elements of the Earth System in general, and the hydrosphere in particular in the context of advancing land data assimilation systems; results of these efforts result in research publications and/or innovations and technology transfer.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education

You must have successfully completed a bachelor's or graduate degree with a major in either a) engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs or b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science, Computer Science*, or other field of physical science.
*Note: Curriculum must include 30 semester hours of course work in a combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 must be in any combination of statistics and mathematics which includes differential and integral calculus.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.

To find out if a school has an ABET accreditation, go to http://www.abet.org.

Degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the Unites States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ .

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

If you are selected, NASA may request information regarding your vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Due to COVID-19, NASA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Be well qualified for this position to receive consideration. Candidates rated in the 'Best Qualified' category are considered well-qualified. Please see 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for more information.
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https:// www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.