Computer Scientist

As a Computer Scientist you will perform the following duties:

• Conduct compliance activities under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act (the Act) regulations issued under the Act and conditions issued in licenses to operate private remote sensing space systems. Perform Site Compliance and Surveillance Schedules and supervise on-site inspections to observe remote ground terminal hardware and operations. Scrutinize and safeguard compliance for spacecraft and satellite command and control networks and associate ground terminal hardware by collecting and reviewing material.
• Scope the comprehensive analysis of remote sensing data and imagery products satellite and networking logs telemetry tracking and control or remote sensing system operation logs and cybersecurity measures. Assure compliance by scrutinizing spacecraft and satellite command and control networks ground terminal hardware and technical architecture while analyzing information system artifacts and technical measures to enforce adherence.
• Seek to understand remote sensing payload data qualities and properties including electro-optical visible near infrared panchromatic multispectral hyperspectral infrared synthetic aperture radar (SAR) X-band L-band and C-band imaging reflectometry Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) penetrating radar and imaging radar.
• Structure and secure lines of inquiry to gather information and artifacts regarding non-compliance or violations of law for administrative law enforcement proceedings. Submit comprehensive objective investigative analytic products notes reports and memoranda pertaining to compliance non-compliance and violations.

• This position requires the operation of a Federal motor vehicle. Requires a valid state drivers license to operate a government vehicle for site visits inspections etc.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Special Sensitive security clearance to support duties requiring access to Top Secret documents. Testing Designated Position (TDP) position requires mandatory drug testing.

Key Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment as determined by background investigation.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information.
• Must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ()
• Qualification requirements must be met by closing date of the announcement.

Additional Considerations:

• One year probationary period may be required.*
• This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• This position requires a Special Sensitive Security Clearance.
• Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicants successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

*Note: A one year probationary period will be required unless you are a current Department of Commerce (including NOAA) employee and are in the same line of work and with no more than a 30 day break in service.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• Needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Managements website located at: REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements:

To qualify for the 1550 series:
EDUCATION:

Degree: A bachelors degree in computer science or bachelors degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics statistics and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps) and other organizations 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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

To qualify at the ZP-3 or GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Participating in evaluating remote information systems and network elements; and
• Coordinating with investigative or enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with law regulation or licenses.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of education and professional experience. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. (Note: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.)

To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

• Ensuring compliance for remote information system networks by assessing command-and-control mission data products forensic reconstruction and monitoring security during remote communications processing and dissemination;
• Coordinating with investigative or enforcement authorities to ensure compliance with law regulation or licenses; and
• Providing reports or memorandums regarding remote information system analysis or compliance evaluations.