Information Technology Specialist (Data Scientist) (Direct Hire)

As a Data Systems Engineer with NASA’s Earth Science Division, you will serve as the division’s principal systems engineering expert supporting large-scale modernization and consolidation of Earth science data systems and its representative for Science Mission Directorate (SMD) cloud infrastructure efforts. You will provide independent technical leadership, architectural guidance, and strategic oversight in direct support of NASA’s Earth science data and Open Science mission objectives., * Serve as the principal technical subject matter expert for enterprise data systems engineering and architecture, providing independent oversight and guidance for large-scale modernization and consolidation efforts across earth science data systems.

• Oversee and coordinate the transition of distributed data archive and user services functions to a unified operational model, ensuring interoperability, scalability, and alignment with agency priorities.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for developing and implementing foundational data products, ensuring systems support reproducibility, traceability, and open science principles across the earth science data lifecycle.
• Serve as the programs’ technical liaison between headquarters program offices and center-level teams, coordinating systems engineering activities and ensuring consistent architectural standards across multi-center and multi-organizational efforts.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations on emerging technologies and architectural approaches to support the long-term modernization of earth science data ingest, archive, and distribution systems, including cloud-based service delivery models.
• Coordinate with high-end computing programs and stakeholders to assess computational requirements, evaluate integration opportunities, and ensure earth science data systems can leverage advanced computing resources for mission objectives.
• Provide divisional representation, technical expertise, and guidance for consolidating core cloud services across SMD, evaluating architectural options and ensuring transitions are technically sound, sustainable, aligned with enterprise standards.

• Represent the earth science division in technical forums, working groups, and interagency discussions, preparing and delivering briefings and technical assessments for senior leadership and stakeholders on data systems engineering initiatives., Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

• Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
• Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
• Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in ‘Required Documents’

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;

• the 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 the 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution., Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans’ preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans’ Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Strategic Thinking
• Systems Integration
• IT Architecture
• IT System and Requirements Analysis
• Software Engineering
• Technology Awareness

To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12967761 NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Required Documents

All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.

A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.

Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:

• Classified or government sensitive information.
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
• Encrypted and digitally signed documents.

If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.

The following documents are required:

• Resume

There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.

If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.

Do you have experience in Writing skills?, 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.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level.

• Designing or evaluating enterprise-level system architectures for large-scale scientific or operational data systems, including defining interoperability standards, integration approaches, and technical requirements across multiple organizational components;
• Leading or coordinating systems engineering activities supporting the modernization, consolidation, or transition of data ingest, archive, or distribution systems in a cloud or hybrid computing environment;
• Representing a program or organization in technical forums, interagency working groups, or senior leadership engagements to communicate systems engineering strategies, architectural decisions, or modernization plans.

AND

IF you are qualifying based on experience, you MUST also have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations., This job does not have an education qualification requirement., Security clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type

• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure required Yes Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered., Yes-You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. Salary $169,279 - $197,200 per year Pay scale & grade GS 15 Promotion potential 15 Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Appointment type Permanent Occupations and job series

• 2210 Information Technology Management