Public Notice - Computer Scientist (Direct Hire)

Positions advertised are in various organizations and locations. NASA may fill positions in any of the following grade levels listed in this announcement (GS-11/12/13/14/15 levels).

Major duties

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Apply computer science, mathematical, and computational methods to model, analyze, and solve Earth and/or space science problems.
• Design, develop, test, and evaluate software tools and computational systems for data reduction, processing, visualization, and analysis.
• Create and optimize procedures for receiving, editing, converting, and transforming scientific or remote sensing data into analyzable formats.
• Develop and apply computer models, simulations, and analytical techniques to study physical processes and improve science system performance.
• Conduct special studies supporting NASA programs and projects and contribute to scientific, technical, or programmatic deliverables.
• Investigate new computational approaches, methods, or technologies to enhance information systems supporting NASA missions and scientific objectives.
• Plan, manage, and execute technical tasks or projects and communicate results through technical documentation, reports, and presentations.
• For supervisory positions, you will perform a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Working with others in a team environment to complete tasks and achieve goals set by team leads and/or supervisors; Using methods developed by others to apply basic computer science concepts and techniques in areas such as algorithms, software engineering, data management, modeling, or simulation to support scientific or engineering objectives; Using computational systems, models, or data processing methods to work with Earth and/or space science data, remote sensing information, or other scientific data sets. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Working with others in a team environment to achieve goals set by team leads and/or supervisors; Using methods developed by others to apply computer science concepts, advanced computational techniques, and methods in areas such as algorithms, software engineering, data management, modeling, simulation, or high-performance computing to support scientific or engineering objectives; Using computational systems, models, or data processing methods to understand, characterize, or solve problems related to Earth and/or space science data, remote sensing information, or other complex scientific data sets. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Working with others in a team environment to achieve goals set by team leads and/or supervisors; Independently applying computer science concepts, advanced computational techniques, and methods in areas such as algorithms, software engineering, data management, modeling, simulation, or high-performance computing to support scientific or engineering objectives; Developing, analyzing, or applying computational systems, models, or data processing methods to understand, characterize, or solve problems related to Earth and/or space science data, remote sensing information, or other complex scientific data sets. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Setting goals and leading others in a team environment to achieve them; Independently applying and advancing computer science concepts, advanced computational techniques, and methods in areas such as algorithms, software engineering, data management, modeling, simulation, or high-performance computing to support scientific or engineering objectives; Developing, analyzing, or applying computational systems, models, or data processing methods to understand, characterize, or solve problems related to Earth and/or space science data, remote sensing information, or other complex scientific data sets. To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Setting goals, providing technical direction, and leading others in a team environment to achieve organizational objectives and mission requirements; Independently applying, advancing, and integrating computer science concepts, advanced computational techniques, and methods in areas such as algorithms, software engineering, data management, modeling, simulation, and high-performance computing to address complex scientific or engineering objectives; Leading the development, analysis, and application of computational systems, models, and data processing methods to understand, characterize, and solve complex problems related to Earth and/or space science data, remote sensing information, and other complex scientific data sets. Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process. Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only (GS-7 through GS-11 and GS-12 research): Computer Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: a. Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are fully qualifying for Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques positions without further course requirements. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems positions, Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in appropriate Physical Science or Engineering courses and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown under "b.2." b. Applied Mathematics is qualifying if includes or is supplemented by at least two of the following courses: 1. For Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques: numerical methods (or numerical analysis); linear algebra, theory of equations, differential equations, mathematical statistics (if six semester hour course), operating systems, theory of computation, computer networks, programming languages, data structures, data base management, computer graphics, compiler construction, computer architecture, software engineering. 2. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems: electronics, electrical networks, solid-state physics (for transistors, tapes, etc.), optics (for simulation), electricity and magnetism, computer organization, logic design, control systems, communication theory. c. Other appropriate physical science and engineering majors are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by six semester hours (or the equivalent) in Mathematics beyond Basic Calculus and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown above under "b." Promotion Potential: The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.

Education

This position requires education or exceptional experience Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following: a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations. If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above. Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of this position. Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org. Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/. Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.