Geodetic Surveyor

CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: All Professional Work Category positions advertised at a Pay Band 2 are part of NGA's Career Advancement Program (CAP). Employees in the Career Advancement Program will be evaluated semi-annually to determine if they meet the established program requirements. If requirements are met, employees will be eligible for a salary increase. Upon meeting all program requirements, the employee is eligible to be promoted non-competitively to a Pay Band 3. This promotion completes Career Advancement Program participation meaning the employee will no longer receive salary increases through the Career Advancement Program, and will now be evaluated in accordance to the Agency's standard evaluation processes.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Geodetic Surveyors perform geodetic, geophysical, and handheld GEOINT surveys. They use, maintain, and troubleshoot survey equipment, and compute, adjust, and evaluate geodetic survey data. They provide technical expertise on geodetic and geophysical issues to customers and represent NGA in external community forums.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: *** The actual duty location of this position will be at the following: Vandenburg AFB, CA ***

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time. NGA uses a flexible, high mobility career model. Individuals are hired for their overall skills within a specialty such as Geodetic Surveyor, and then placed in various positions throughout the agency once they complete the clearance process. Although currently advertised as a non-supervisory, Permanent, telework-ineligible job posting with 25% or less travel, it is unknown which specific positions will be available after applicants complete the selection and clearance process. Because of this, aspects of the job such as travel, supervisory, telework, etc may change, depending on specific positions available at that time. It is also possible that applicants could be hired into a position with specific aspects and then change positions after serving for a period of time in that assignment. Applicants who have completed the clearance process receive final documentation about the nature of the specific position before they make the final commitment to join NGA.

Geodetic Surveyors typically have knowledge and experience in one or both of the following areas:

* Geodetic Surveying (geodetic positioning, geodetic azimuths, vertical levels, and LiDAR)

* Geophysical Surveying (astronomic positions, astronomic azimuths, gravity, and magnetics)

Geodetic surveyors travel frequently and work outdoors, sometimes in remote or harsh environments, or extreme weather conditions. They are detail-oriented, with strong mathematical, computer, and technical skills. They use critical thinking and complex problem solving skills to adapt to changing field conditions and troubleshoot equipment and software issues.

* Participate on geodetic and geophysical surveys as a team member

* Follow standard methods and guidance to perform geodetic and geophysical surveys

* Use, maintain, and troubleshoot geodetic and geophysical survey equipment with assistance

* Compute, process, adjust, and evaluate basic geodetic and geophysical survey data with assistance

* Prepare field notes, reference maps, and sketches for geodetic and geophysical survey projects

* Maintain an awareness of advances in the field of geodesy and make basic applications of the information

* May be required to work evening and night shifts, weekends and holidays.

In addition to addressing the mandatory and desirable requirements, it is recommended that candidates document the following:

* Coursework or foundational knowledge in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced statistics, geodesy, and geophysics.

* Use of geodetic or geophysical equipment and software

* Participation in field surveys, including the types of field surveys and their role(s) in the surveys (project management, team lead/crew chief, team member, data processing/analysis, survey publication, or quality control).

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.

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

1. Demonstrated familiarity with proper operation and application of best practices using GNSS receivers, data collectors, electronic/robotic total stations, and/or terrestrial/mobile LiDAR.

2. Demonstrated familiarity or experience related to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) baseline processing and/or least squares adjustment software.

3. Experience assisting with or rudimentary experience measuring, processing, and publishing geodetic data derived from geodetic surveying operations.

4. Demonstrated experience conducting basic scientific or statistical analysis and drawing appropriate conclusions and interpretations of data.

5. Demonstrated experience engaging with or being part of a team.

6. Proven ability to perform field work in harsh environmental conditions that frequently change.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Geodesy, Mathematics, Physical Science, or a related discipline that includes at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework in any combination of Astronomy, Cartography, Computer Science, Engineering Science, Geodesy, Geodetic Surveying, Geology, Geomatics, Geophysics, Geographic Information Systems, Mathematics, Meteorology, Orbital Mechanics, Photogrammetry, Physical Science, Physics, Remote Sensing, or Surveying. Coursework must include differential and integral calculus. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus appropriate experience conducting work related to Civil Engineering, Geodesy, Geophysics, Geotechnical Analysis, Surveying, or a related field 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 4 years. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Registration as a Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Use of hands; Walking; Prolonged periods of standing; Crawling; Kneeling; Repeated bending; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted); Distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors; Near visual acuity of 20/20 or better with or without corrective lenses; Far visual acuity of 20/30 or better binocular with or without corrective lenses

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENT: Working outside and inside; Working around excessive noise, intermittent; Exposure to fumes, smoke, or gases; Working around slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working around moving objects or vehicles; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Working below ground; Repetitive physical tasks; Working in harsh environments

QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

1. Experience collecting, processing, or analyzing geophysical data, such as gravity, magnetics, or astronomic positions or azimuths.

2. Demonstrated rudimentary experience with utilizing Geographic Information Systems.

3. Experience collecting, processing, or analyzing LIDAR data utilizing terrestrial, mobile, or airborne LiDAR platforms.

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

PROMOTION 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.

PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.

Pay 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.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/ngabenefits.html

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter. The entire cover letter cannot exceed the specified limits provided in the Cover Letter field (3,000 characters). Pages exceeding this limit will not be considered. The cover letter is recommended but is not required for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Applicants should place their narrative information in the Cover Letter / Other Professional Details field.

External Applicants Only

Application submission involves applying using the Intelligence Community's Applicant Gateway on-line application process.

APPLICANT 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 http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.)

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.

As 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 Required

NGA 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 in your application.