TITLE: IT Specialist (APPSW), GS-2210, Grade 11; $59,222 to $76,989/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Federal Career-Conditional Appointment
DIVISION: - Optical and Infrared Astronomy Division (OIR)
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
* Amended to show closing date change.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Applications will be accepted from US Citizens, from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. Non-status candidates and preference eligible veterans will be considered under external procedures. Status candidates will be considered under internal procedures. Two applications must be filed by status candidates and eligible veterans if consideration is desired for both external and internal procedures.

DUTIES: The purpose of this position is to provide remote computer software, configuration management and systems administration support related to the deployed ground-based instruments at the MMTO (MMT Observatory), Amado Arizona. Duties may include but are not limited to: maintaining instrument software; verifying, testing, and maintaining all software as part of an overall system; participating in the integration of new software modules; maintaining and distributing observation planning software to observers; maintaining local scheduler that organizes each night of observations and targets; designing, coding, and debugging software to support the full range of SAO scientific instruments at MMT; and, designing, developing, testing and implementing self-contained routines related to new instrument development. The person holding this position will act as the “first respondent” during nightly telescope operations should the instrument software fail or act improperly. As time allows, support of SAO instruments at other observatories may be included.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) in Federal Service. Candidates for the GS-11 level can also qualify based on education if they have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree as long as the education demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. The major study of the degree must be one of the following: computer science, information science, information’s systems management, mathematics, statistics, operations research, or engineering, or course work that required the development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to a major in the computer field. If you are using your education to qualify you MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts on college letterhead are acceptable during the application process. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. 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, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements however, you are responsible for providing proof that the foreign education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. For this position, specialized experience is experience providing IT support in computer software, configuration management and systems administration related to scientific ground based instruments. A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position.

Quality Ranking Factors: On a separate sheet of paper, submit a paragraph describing specific experience, education, or training for each of the factors listed. Candidates who have the specialized experience as outlined above will be further evaluated according to the degree to which they possess the following:

a. Ability to design, code, test, and maintain software;

b. Knowledge of client-server programming in a UNIX/Linux environment;

c. Knowledge of software installation, configuration management, and test procedures;

d. Ability to travel and work off-site autonomously;

e. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work in an operations environment using an incident tracking system; and

f. Ability to write concise, readable, user-oriented documentation for software and/or hardware systems.

BASIS OF RATING: Clearly describe in your resume or application your work experience, education and/or training as it relates to this vacancy. The information you provide will be evaluated to determine whether you meet the specialized experience requirement and will also be evaluated to determine the degree to which you possess the quality ranking factors. Quality ranking factors are used to determine the highest qualified candidates among those eligible to compete for the position. Therefore, it is to your benefit to fully describe your experience and education/training relative to the job requirements of this vacancy. Your application may not receive proper consideration if you do not provide adequate information.
VETERANS: Applicants claiming entitlement to veteran’s preference must include a copy of their DD214. Applicants claiming entitlement to 10-point veterans’ preference must also submit an SF-15 form with the required documentary proof. A copy of DD 214 or other official documentation is required and may be faxed to 617-495-7263, please ensure the vacancy announcement number is included.

NOTE: Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful/satisfactory completion of a pre-appointment background check and subsequent background investigation, including fingerprinting. New employees are also subject to a one year probationary period. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested candidates should submit resumes to Recruiter #455, referencing Job Posting #28-29, to the mailing address below, or to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. Please note that the email address is for the submission of application materials only. Applications must contain the announcement number, the grade you wish to be considered for, full legal name, mailing address with zip code, day and evening telephone numbers. The Smithsonian does not require a standard application form, but we need certain information to evaluate your qualifications. If relying on education to qualify, you must submit an unofficial copy of your college transcripts. For experience most relevant to the position, include the name and address of employer, supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), job title, salary, a description of your duties, responsibilities, accomplishments, and hours worked per week for each job listed. Indicate whether or not your current supervisor may be contacted. Prepare a separate entry for each job. In addition, job finalists will be asked to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine their suitability for Federal employment. Status applicants must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, performance appraisal and information concerning any awards they received during their service. Applicants applying under Veterans' programs desiring preference must include a copy of their DD214. Applicants claiming entitlement to 10-point veterans’ preference must also submit a SF-15 Form with the required documentary proof. DD 214’s and/or SF-15’s may be faxed to 617-495-7263 please include the announcement number on the cover. All application materials must be received by July 18, 2008.

SAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.

Visit our SAO website. or http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/sao-home.html

Mailing address:
Recruiter 455 (JP#28-29)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138