ORBITAL ANALYST

Duties

The primary purpose of this position is to accomplish the space situational domain awareness (SDA) mission for impact on DoD, AF, USSF, USSPACECOM, Intelligence Communities (IC), and other entities, providing war-fighters and government organizations with timely and accurate satellite positional data on all man-made earth orbiting space objects.

DUTIES:

• Independently performs orbital analysis and conjunction assessment functions using the high accuracy catalog of space objects by using Special Perturbations (SP) theory and modeling, and evaluates operational activities regarding on-orbit space protection.
• Develops new and innovative methods, procedures, and training for performing SDA and orbital analysis in support of the space defense mission across multiple organizations
• Contributes critical subject matter expertise during NSDC crisis action and deliberate planning
• Participates in and supports all units', command, and theaters' exercises (i.e., Space Thunder, Space Lightning, Global Thunder, Global Lightning) and experiments (SACT, ZK, etc.) with Joint Planning Process (JPP), COA development, war-gaming, and orders development
• Attends and participates in briefings, meetings, committees, boards, conferences, etc. May be required to represent the NSDC at such events

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This position is centrally managed in Operations career field and duties / the unit may pay for relocation expenses
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments
• The employee may be required to carry a cell phone/pager and be "on-call" approximately 50% of each month
• Experience in DoD Space Enterprise, Intelligence Community, National Reconnaissance, and commercial Space Enterprise is highly desired
• This position is considered Key Essential

Qualifications

(CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Cont'd)

- Position is designated special-sensitive and requires the employee obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed
- This position has been designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, USSPACECOM, national security, and public safety. Therefore, incumbent is required to: (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and misuse of prescription medication, and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing on short notice
- This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW, DoDI 3020-42, Defense Continuity Programs
- Incumbent is subject to uncommon tour of duty hours to include proficiency shifts, rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays on an infrequent basis. Extended shift work (12 hours), and off-duty hours on-call, particularly during Command exercises, special events, and emergencies should be expected
- A Bachelor's Degree with a concentration in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) or other related fields is highly desired; higher level studies such as a Master's degree or Ph.D. in appropriate Liberal Arts or similar fields is preferred
- Employee is in a designated position that requires consent and thereafter be subject to and successfully complete, an initial, periodic, and random counterintelligence (CI)-scope polygraph examination as a condition of employment. The employee must successfully take and pass a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CIP) Examination

This is an acquisition demonstration project position, NH-0301-03, equivalent to the GS-12/GS-13, with a typical salary range of $91,870.00 to $142,022.00 Per Year.

For more information on Acq Demo please go to the following links:
DoD AcqDemo Homepage:
Fact Sheet:

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes advanced knowledge and ability to perform satellite conjunction assessment screenings and thoroughly analyze associated SDA observations, orbital parameters, owner/operator ephemeris data, trajectory accuracy, and special perturbations (SP) vector quality including precision orbit determination updates containing manual differential corrections and other statistical estimation techniques, advanced knowledge of current SDA systems to access, retrieve, and display satellite catalog and observation catalog database information.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Advanced knowledge and ability to perform satellite conjunction assessment screenings and thoroughly analyze associated SDA observations, orbital parameters, owner/operator ephemeris data, trajectory accuracy, and special perturbations (SP) vector quality including precision orbit determination updates containing manual differential corrections and other statistical estimation techniques.
2. Advanced knowledge of current SDA systems to access, retrieve, and display satellite catalog and observation catalog database information.
3. Thorough knowledge of accepted SDA procedures and policies. Experience with AF, USSF, USSF, USSPACECOM and NSDC procedures and policies.
4. Highly skilled in orbital analysis on earth-orbiting objects; ability to research, analyze, interpret, and present data and supporting analyses to management by manipulating extremely large amounts of data in the emerging SDA operating system environment.
5. Ability to develop and implement innovative approaches to resolve unusual/difficult issues significantly impacting space domain policies or programs.
6. Advanced skill sufficient to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships with diverse groups and executive-level command management.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click .