Cover LetterApplicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext2024 Base Salary:
Band 5 $123,041 - $168,152Permanent Change in StationPERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.NGA Marketing MessageThe National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the World Leader in Geospatial Intelligence. Imagine being able to identify anything on, above, or beneath the Earth's surface and display that information visually to provide a meaningful foundation for decision-making to ensure the safety of the world. That's the job of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security, and safety of navigation.
Central to the success of our mission are the extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals. We need the best minds to provide the information edge, continuing NGA's role as the premier provider of Geospatial Intelligence worldwide.
Know the World, Show the Way ... from Seabed to SpaceAssignment DescriptionASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: R&D Scientists apply the scientific method in one or more disciplines (e.g., Photogrammetry, Geodesy, Computer Science, Mathematics, Image Science, Human Terrain Analysis) to advance Geospatial Science and enhance Agency tradecraft. They conduct and develop novel scientific research projects and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration to further scientific inquiry and application. They provide technical guidance and oversight, report results, and advise management on new and evolving technology. They address a variety of complex data-related analytical problems by applying quantitative and qualitative analytic methods.Promotion OpportunityPROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.Additional InformationADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *** ACTUAL DUTY LOCATION IS SAN ANTONIO, TX***
This Pay Band 5 position is for subject matter expert in Space Intelligence at Joint Base Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, to provide technical expertise to USARNORTH to benefit its Homeland Defense Futures Project and US Army Futures Command. The role will leverage the candidate’s experience in imaging Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and communication systems to include system design for airborne and space-based radar sensors, resiliency, and knowledge of threats and countering threats in the Radio Frequency (RF) domain and SAR standards. The candidate will act as a technology liaison between NGA Research & Development (NGA/R) and USARNORTH to help NGA/R provide new technologies that enhance the warfighter.
As a Pay Band 5 R&D Scientist within NGA/R&D, the candidate will be responsible for leading the Radar Division’s Radar GEOINT Assurance portfolio, which includes assisting division leadership to develop RF technology roadmaps to inform future investments; developing, pitching, executing, and transitioning new R&D projects in the area of Radar GEOINT Assurance; managing R&D projects including but not limited to the development of acquisition strategy and program execution; providing technical input to NGA’s mission partners; organizing and leading international or DOD/IC committees, panels, events, etc. that focus on technical areas including radar processing, data exploitation, collection methodologies, data standards, etc.
Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to: 1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.
This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time. If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.Qualifications MandatoryMANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:
1. Experience developing algorithms for two or more of the following data sources: National Technical Means Radar, Airborne Radar, and/or Space-Based Commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
2. Experience defining and/or coding products following SAR phase history data standards such as: Compensated Phase History Data (CPHD); Sensor Independent Complex Data (SICD), and/or Sensor Independent Derived Data (SIDD)
3. Experience in the development and/or technical evaluation of methods intended to exploit radar waveforms having a low probability of detection in operational environments.
4. Experience building collaborative relationships across external organizations
5. Experience leading technical R&D teams
6. Experience creating and executing R&D technologies from concept to technology transition
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline that includes 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in Mathematics, Science and/or a related Engineering Science such as Dynamics, Electronics, Mechanics, and Properties of Materials. Such coursework includes, but is not limited to, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Programming, Data Mining, Cybersecurity, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, or Statistics. Although not mandatory, coursework in differential and integral calculus is preferred.
-OR-
B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework as listed in option A, plus experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals to 4 years.
- No Licensure/Certification RequirementsQualifications DesirableDESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:
1. Experience in research and development organization within or in partnership with the Federal Government, Dept. of Defense, or Intelligence Community.
2. Experience in RF signal schemes in support of coherent tagging, tracking, location.
3. Experience in defining and/or coding Compensated Received Signal Data (CRSD).Special Info ExternalAs a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information)
- Polygraph Test Required
- Position Subject to Drug Testing
- Two Year Probationary Period
- Direct Deposit RequiredApplicant Evaluation ProcessAPPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:
1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,
2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,
3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.
Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education information referenced in the announcement. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted.
In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives">http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives</a>.)
All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.
NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Disabled applicants are encouraged to apply directly to external job announcements in addition to the Resume Repository. NGA reserves the right to direct hire Disabled Veterans with 30%+ Comp in alignment with the NGA Hiring Strategy. By selecting this option on the application form and applying to the NGA Resume Repository, you may be considered for future direct hire against critical mission vacancies. Participation does not guarantee employment.DCIPS StatementNGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices.
This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.BenefitsPay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.
For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.nga.mil/careers/Benefits_&_Pay.html.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $123,041.00 - $168,152.00 per year
Schedule:
Work Location: In person