Supervisory Astronomer

Summary

This position serves as a Supervisory Astronomer supporting science and test operations at the Submillimeter Array (SMA) balancing direct observational duties—such as operating complex submillimeter radio astronomy instrumentation, monitoring system performance, and ensuring data quality—with comprehensive leadership responsibilities, leading a team of Astronomical Observers, providing technical oversight, conducting performance management, and overseeing training and safety compliance.

Duties

Execute observational programs by selecting configurations and operating the SMA, including telescope startup, shutdown, and array setup Monitors telescope, instrument, and environmental performance, ensuring data quality and identifying anomalies for corrective action Operate telescopes, receivers, and correlators with increasing autonomy while implementing observing scripts and calibrations. Monitor conditions continuously to ensure safe, optimal operations and instrument readiness Lead a team of Astronomical Observers conducting submillimeter observations, data acquisition, calibration, and instrument monitoring Assign daily and long-range work, sets priorities, and adjusts staffing to meet dynamic observing schedules and weather-dependent windows Manage schedules, leave, staffing forecasts, and workload distribution for the observer team Prepare reports, metrics,and briefings for management on operational status, staffing, and performance trends Conducts performance management establishes standards, evaluates performance,recommends awards, and addresses conduct or performance issues. Oversee training programs for new observers, ensuring proficiency in SMA systems, safety protocols, and scientific data workflows Planning meetings to coordinate observing campaigns, maintenance cycles, and instrument upgrades representing the observer team in cross-functional discussions with astronomers, engineers, and external collaborators. The duties listed are at the full performance GS-09 grade level.

Qualifications and evaluation

Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questionnaire assessing your experience, education, and/or training related to the competencies below: Knowledge of observational astronomy and SMA operations to plan, execute, and independently operate the array for routine programs. Knowledge of supervisory principles, performance management, and training methodologies. Comprehensive knowledge of training programs, safety compliance requirements, and technical documentation standards to maintain operational continuity and proficiency. Ability to communicate technical information effectively, contributing to documentation, scientific reports, and assisting with user inquiries. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be placed into one of three quality categories based on their responses to the job-related assessment and the extent to which their experience demonstrates the competencies required for the position: Best Category – 95–100 Better Category – 85–94.99 Good Category – 70–84.99 This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the rule of three but protects the rights of veterans by placing preference eligibles ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who do not submit a resume in USAJOBS and complete all required assessment questions will not be considered. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire for consistency. If a determination is made that your self-assessment is not supported by your resume, your rating may be adjusted to reflect documented experience. Your resume should clearly describe how your education and experience relate to the duties and qualification requirements of this position. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Education

Please see Qualifications Section for Education Requirements.

Benefits

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/ 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 - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/ Review our benefits

How to apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the SAO Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.

Required documents

Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. 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. 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.

Additional information

Special Instructions for Foreign Education If you are qualifying by education and/or have education completed at a foreign college or university, you must provide transcripts and documentation verifying U.S. equivalency. See the Required Documents section of this announcement for additional information. Additional Information Grade point averages should be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 is rounded to 3.0 and 2.94 is rounded to 2.9. If more than 10 percent of undergraduate coursework was completed on a pass/fail basis, qualification under Superior Academic Achievement must be based on class standing or honor society membership. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work performed through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer experience helps build critical competencies and may be credited if directly related to the duties of this position. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be prorated to determine creditable experience. Applicants should clearly indicate the number of hours worked per week. No incentives are authorized for this position.