SENIOR TECHNICAL PHYSICAL SCIENTIST

Summary You will serve as the Precise Time/Time Interval (PTTI) Senior Technical Physical Scientist for the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), a fourth echelon command reporting to Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) for operations, and the Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) as the Type Commander. The PTTI position will be located at Naval Observatory headquarters, in Washington DC.

Duties You will advise the USNO Scientific Director on evolving requirements and the potential need for new programs to meet these requirements and will prioritize and program resources in accordance with requirements and emergent future community needs. | You will monitor and oversee development of system concepts and maturation of the capabilities through all phases of capability development and will manage all PTTI programs based on future evolving DoD needs. | You will provide scientific leadership for future PTTI developments within the Precise Time Department and will plan, execute, and review relevant research in timekeeping to include establishing standards of quality for research conducted at USNO. | You will interface routinely with high-level DoD personnel, mission partners, and Precise Time stakeholders to facilitate the dissemination of PTTI standard products including the standard time used in all DoD activities. | You will work with appropriate DoD personnel to establish evolving DoD requirements for precise timing information and to implement necessary improvements in DoD capabilities. | You will be called upon to make technical presentations at conferences to program managers and to those at the highest executive levels to ensure PTTI requirements are established and products, and their use, are clearly understood. | You will act as a liaison for DoD with national and international programs and leads multiagency collaborations to solve technical challenges and ensures data product requirements are met. | You will be a leader and collaborator in international working groups working under the auspices of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and International Telecommunications Union specializing in the investigation of these topics. | You will represent the USNO at national and international scientific forums and be a member of international and national scientific working groups concerned with the Precise Time and Time Interval.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must show that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications:

TQ 1. Demonstrated experience in time standards, precise timekeeping, and time dissemination, including conventional standards for scientific and technical applications.

TQ 2. Comprehensive theoretical and technical knowledge of DoD requirements for precise timing and timing dissemination to improve the long-term security, integrity, availability, and operations of PTTI programs.

TQ 3. Expertise in numerical analysis, statistics, and computational techniques applied to scientific capabilities.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

AND

General Physical Science series, 1301

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Education Applicants must meet at least one of the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:

For General Physical Science Series

A. A degree in physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics; or

B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education; How you will be evaluated Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQ) listed above. TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. Additional documentation may be required in the interview/assessment process.

The Ad-hoc Executive Resources Board (AERB) will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the approving authority.

The technical panel will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the approving authorities.

This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: Structured Resume Review and Structured Interview.

If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. How to apply Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Complete resume. Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show evidence of the TQs to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, job title, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
2. Complete assessment questionnaire. For a quick preview of the assessment questionnaire click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13105083
3. Supporting documentation

Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.

Your complete application (resume, assessment questionnaire, and all supporting documents) must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 11/23/2026. Applications received after 11/23/2026 will generally result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume received and processed will be reviewed.

Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account: https://mydon.usajobs.gov/Account/Login select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process so please plan appropriately.

Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume and documents are legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers/documents submitted by an applicant. Other information This position is a Senior Scientific position in the federal government. Senior Scientific and professional employees are in non-executive positions whose duties are broad and complex enough to be classified above GS 15 level. Senior level positions involve performance of high-level research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences.

This position is not covered by the Department of War Priority Placement Program.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.

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• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)