Supervisory Astronomer

This position serves as a Supervisory Astronomer supporting science and test operations at the Submillimeter Array (SMA) balancing direct observational duties—such as operating complex submillimeter radio astronomy instrumentation, monitoring system performance, and ensuring data quality with comprehensive leadership responsibilities, leading a team of Astronomical Observers, providing technical oversight, conducting performance management, and overseeing training and safety compliance.

Degree: in one or a combination of astronomy, physics, mathematics, space science, or electronics. The course work must have included differential and integral calculus and 12 semester hours in astronomy and/or physics.
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OR

Combination of education and experience -- at least 30 semester hours of courses equivalent to a major in any combination of astronomy, space science, physics, mathematics, and electronics, with required course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as operating scientific instrumentation or optical telescopes; conducting or supporting astronomical observing activities; acquiring imaging or spectroscopic data; performing calibration exposures and preliminary data reduction; monitoring scientific systems; resolving routine operational issues;

and supporting researchers during observational activities. Experience must demonstrate hands-on operational experience in observatory or comparable scientific environments. Experience must also demonstrate experience leading or coordinating the work of others, such as assigning or prioritizing work, providing technical direction, training staff, or evaluating work products.

OR

A master’s degree or two full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a degree in astronomy, physics, astrophysics, or a closely related physical science may be substituted for specialized experience.

OR

Education and experience may be combined to meet qualification requirements.