What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supervisory Astronomer. position at Smithsonian Institution?
Duties
Conditions of employment
Basic Requirements (GS-1330 Physics Series)
Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Gs-9
Specialized Experience:
You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as operating scientific instrumentation or optical telescopes; conducting or supporting astronomical observing activities; acquiring imaging or spectroscopic data; performing calibration exposures and preliminary data reduction; monitoring scientific systems; resolving routine operational issues; and supporting researchers during observational activities. Experience must demonstrate hands-on operational experience in observatory or comparable scientific environments. Experience must also demonstrate experience leading or coordinating the work of others, such as assigning or prioritizing work, providing technical direction, training staff, or evaluating work products.
OR
Education
A master’s degree or two full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a degree in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, or a closely related physical science may be substituted for specialized experience.
OR
Combination
Education and experience may be combined to meet qualification requirements.
Education
Please See Qualifications Section For Education Requirements.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
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
Flexible Spending Accounts -
Health Insurance -
Leave -
Life Insurance -
Long Term Care Insurance -
Retirement Program -
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
- 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.
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Selectee may be required to serve a supervisory probationary period.
- This position supports astronomical observing operations and requires participation in a rotating work schedule that includes evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Work is performed at a remote observatory site and may require travel between observatory facilities.
- Work is conducted in low-light environments and may involve extended computer use, outdoor exposure to weather conditions, and occasional lifting or handling of scientific equipment.
Basic Requirements (GS-1330 Physics Series)
Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Gs-9
Specialized Experience:
You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as operating scientific instrumentation or optical telescopes; conducting or supporting astronomical observing activities; acquiring imaging or spectroscopic data; performing calibration exposures and preliminary data reduction; monitoring scientific systems; resolving routine operational issues; and supporting researchers during observational activities. Experience must demonstrate hands-on operational experience in observatory or comparable scientific environments. Experience must also demonstrate experience leading or coordinating the work of others, such as assigning or prioritizing work, providing technical direction, training staff, or evaluating work products.
OR
Education
A master’s degree or two full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a degree in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, or a closely related physical science may be substituted for specialized experience.
OR
Combination
Education and experience may be combined to meet qualification requirements.
Education
Please See Qualifications Section For Education Requirements.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
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
Flexible Spending Accounts -
Health Insurance -
Leave -
Life Insurance -
Long Term Care Insurance -
Retirement Program -
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.