Summary This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer. Responsibilities You will serve as a Research Physicist in the Precise Time (PT) Department, Clock Development Division of the U.S. Naval Observatory. You will have expertise in experimental atomic, molecular or optical physics, or expertise in a similar field. You will have expertise with diode lasers, narrow-linewidth lasers, and/or optical frequency combs. You will have knowledge of atomic clocks and quantum physics. You will have the ability to contribute to development of operational optical clocks. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position (see Education section), your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-13: *Experience utilizing Frequency and Time Standards without technical supervision and conducting research into new types of frequency standards including their acquisition, construction, development, maintenance, and evaluation. *Experience applying experimental atomic physics, laser, and optical technology, and high-precision measurements. *Experience assisting with development, improvement, and implementation of procedures for the thorough processing of data used in the evaluation and operation of standards and their associated time scales. *Experience applying professional knowledge of research on the physics and science that provide the foundation of atomic clocks, frequency standards and time keeping technology, and display familiarity with current progress in the field, nationally and internationally. GS-12: In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position (see Education section), your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: *Experience conducting research into new types of frequency standards including their acquisition, construction, development, maintenance, and evaluation. *Experience assisting with utilizing Frequency and Time Standards without technical supervision and conducting research into new types of frequency standards including their acquisition, construction, development, maintenance, and evaluation. *Experience assisting with applying experimental atomic physics, laser, and optical technology, and high-precision measurements. *Experience assisting with development, improvement, and implementation of procedures for the thorough processing of data used in the evaluation and operation of standards and their associated time scales. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/physics-series-1310/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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. Education Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual. Applicants must possess: GS-13: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. or Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. GS-12: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics. or Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either A or B above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound. SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may substitute the following education for the required experience, provided it demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position: GS-12: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree If you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you must submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. IF CLAIMING EDUCATION, FAILURE TO SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS/ITEMIZED LIST WILL RESULT IN AN INELIGIBLE RATING. Additional Information This announcement uses the Certain Personnel of the DoD direct hire authority to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Several vacancies may be filled. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf. Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.