NRO DEVELOPMENTAL PROGAM TECHNICAL CAREER PATH

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National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Department of Defense

Job Summary

NRO will select motivated, highly qualified individuals to engage in the developmental program while applying creative solutions to complex technical and operational problems. In a developmental position, candidates will plan and accomplish the work of the position under close but decreasing supervision until all duties can be performed independently with little or no guidance. Upon meeting performance requirements, employees may be promoted up to the full performance grade (GG-12).

Major Duties

The NRO will make selections at the GG-07 or GG-09 level for this position

FOR CURRENT CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES APPLYING PLEASE SEE THE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION BELOW.

The developmental employee will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support the full performance level duties below.

Developmental Support Opportunities:

  • Specific instructional guidance and a specific formal development plan to enable the individual to progressively perform increasingly technically complex assignments and tasks with more responsibility and less guidance.
  • On-the-job training providing technical and professional advice on issues affecting the NRO.
  • Formal training on how to originate new and improve existing applications and strategies for technical concepts, theories, and principles that affect the planning, completions and direction of major scientific and engineering projects.
  • Instructional guidance on making decisions to resolve specific issues and problems while considering different, incomplete and often conflicting information and alternatives.
  • On-the-job training for developing, delivering, and sustaining overhead reconnaissance systems, including technical solutions for spacecraft hardware, ground, and communication components, and mission software systems.
  • Diverse training in various mission areas including program management, procurement, development, and supporting technical initiatives and/or operations.
  • Pursuing full performance target level of GG-12 duties.

Full Performance GG-12, Interdisciplinary Technical (0801/1301/1501) Duties:
  • Prepare, provide, and evaluate conventional plans, designs, design specifications, and related documentation determining and/or executing actions for a wide range of assignments involving a combination of complex features.
  • Provide advice to senior colleagues and/or management officials responsible for broad program operations.
  • Research trends and patterns; develop new methods and criteria; propose new policies and practices; conduct technical analysis and field laboratory work to achieve products or services.
  • Evaluate the value and applicability of new or improved technology, strategies, trends, or applications.
  • Assess project and program effectiveness interacting with NRO-user community with respect to system and/or operational requirements.
  • Provide expertise and advice on program planning and policy-making functions covering a broad range of engineering and scientific program and plans. Develop and advise on and implement critical projects and/or segments of NRO programs, projects, or activities.
  • Initiate and conduct thorough and comprehensive analytical studies or other complex studies involving varied subject matters. Studies vary in complexity based on scenario and the number of analytical models employed. Define the problem, formulate scope, establish objectives, formulate methodologies, coordinate research contributions of others and identify significant findings. Produce insightful findings, alternative courses of action, solutions to critical problems, etc., which have significant impact in changing or improving practical and/or theoretical concept development to future special operations.
  • Conduct systemic exploration of problems and analysis of alternatives. Present trend analysis data ascertaining potential problem areas. Define the problems involved, formulate concepts in addressing these problems, and review and evaluate the final outcomes of the study. Identify and clarify major factors and issues of the study. Establish the objectives and approach; formulate methodologies; and plans, advise on and coordinate study activities.
  • Plan, execute and report on original studies or ongoing studies requiring a fresh approach to resolve new problems, modifying and adapting standard procedures, methods and techniques to address problems.
  • Plan, coordinate, implement, test, and conduct projects, serving as an advisor to other scientists or engineers.
  • Perform scientific and technical evaluation, correlation, synthesis and presentation or important data in a complex field making significant technical and scientific recommendations and decisions.

Qualifications

NRO Cadre employees in developmental positions may be promoted up to the full performance grade (GG-12) upon meeting benchmarks and milestones established by NRO Career Field Managers (CFMs), and in accordance with career development program standards and guidance. Further promotions will be accomplished competitively via voluntary participation in the NRO annual promotion process. This position has a Basic Requirement for the 0801/1301/1501 series:

Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

Combination of education and experience--college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/ For the 1301 Series: REQUIRED: Degree: 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

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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualificationstandards/1300/general-physical-science-series-1301/For the 1501 Series: REQUIRED: Degree: Mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedulequalification-standards/1500/general-mathematics-and-statistics-series-1501star/

*NOTE:

Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: Oversight classification hyperlinks above for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 04/20/2020 Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position. Such experience is typically in or directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Experience must be reflected in your resume. Demonstrated experience, through academic and professional achievement, required for this position is: Basic knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of scientific and engineering disciplines such as engineering, mathematics, physics, physical sciences, statistics, operations research, computer science, and model-based systems engineering and architecture. Familiarity with system engineering, project management, and acquisition management. Training in the missions, roles, functions, and operations, which govern, interface with and/or influence the systems acquisition process and integrated lifecycle management. Organize data and apply conventional analytical methods and techniques to basic quantitative and qualitative analyses and assessments. Examples may include statistics, modeling and simulation, and decision analytics. Skill in interpersonal relationships to work with project/program teams. Uses interpersonal skills, to persuade and gain concurrence from both internal and external organizational personnel in order to implement new innovative courses of action. Skill in oral and written communications to prepare and present reports, interpret policies and guidelines, provide advice and guidance to customer, and represent the organization in interactions with other organizations. Ability to plan, organize and manage critical aspects of research, development, production, and support systems, subsystems or equipment, and to integrate, analyze, and manage a variety of functions and personnel in support of these processes. Ability to apply theories into technical solutions. Familiarity of a broad range of advanced methods and techniques used in quantitative and qualitative analyses and assessments. Ability to develop and utilize appropriate data collection techniques including organization, normalization, and analysis. Ability to manage competing priorities, multiple tasks, and work requirements by continuously analyzing available resources against ongoing work. Basic knowledge of and ability to apply analytic, diagnostic, and qualitative techniques sufficient to produce analytical products (such as test plans and final reports), to employ methodological approaches to analyze information. Critical thinking skills and reasoning skills as demonstrated by preparing basic analytical assessments and other written products with emphasis on clear organization, and concise, and logical presentation. Basic knowledge of multidisciplinary engineering or related engineering/technical discipline, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment sufficient to apply experimental theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services. Ability to work independently and within a team or collaborative environment. ** Note: For the GG-07: Candidates must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree (see education requirements below). If substituting education for experience, at the GG-07 level, you must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree.

** Note: For the GG-09: Candidates must possess a bachelor's or equivalent degree and have greater than 12 months relevant experience. If substituting education for experience, at the GG-09 level, a Master's or equivalent degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such as degree or PhD. Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies:

1. Engineering & Technology

2. Critical Thinking

3. Technical Competence

4. Research

5. Communication

Pay Range

$48,670.00 - $77,396.00

More information...

End Date: 

Monday, April 20, 2020