Posting 24-36
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.
NOTE: This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 12. Selection for this position to be made at the grade 11 or 12 level. Candidates may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level, up to grade 11, upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance and qualifications of the employee. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.
INTRODUCTION:
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.
SUMMARY:
The position serves as an IT Specialist to provide support to the scientific staff of the Minor Planet Center in the area of postgres database development and maintenance.
MAJOR DUTIES:
- Functions as an IT Specialist (Database Administrator/Developer) to contribute to the development and maintenance of Postgres Database applications and services related to the Minor Planet Center. This includes installation and upgrade of postgres database servers and application tools; allocation of system storage and planning future storage requirements for the database system; designing, creating, and modifying primary database storage structures to meet application needs; designing, creating, and modifying primary objects (tables, views, indexes) to meet application needs; enrolling users and maintaining system security; controlling and monitoring user access to the database; monitoring and optimizing the performance of the database; developing and implementing backup and recovery plans.
- Work as part of a team to develop new tools to interface between the MPC’s Postgres database systems and the MPC’s Python-based processing pipeline. This includes designing and coding database objects to support Web-based services and scientific applications, scientific data analysis and reduction, and data archiving and retrieval. This will involve the creation of new database structures that add to system capability as well as the modification of existing structures to meet evolving requirements.
- Documents work in technical reports, memoranda, and/or scientific papers or presentations.
- Ensures that final documentation accurately reflects modifications made in the field when applicable.
- Maintains currency with the evolution of software, computer, and hardware to verify that the most appropriate database technologies are applied to Minor Planet Center data sets.
- Work as part of a team to:
- Develop unit tests and the apply continuous integration to both existing and new software projects
- Undertake regular software planning and status reporting activities
- Maintain and improve the Minor Planet Center software development best practices
- Collaborate with scientists as needed and help coordinate the activities of software development staff in support of scientific requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Lead the development of new tools to interface between the MPC’s Postgres database systems and the MPC’s Python-based processing pipeline. This includes designing and coding database objects to support Web-based services and scientific applications, scientific data analysis and reduction, and data archiving and retrieval. This will involve the creation of new database structures that add to system capability as well as the modification of existing structures to meet evolving requirements.
- Lead the Minor Planet Center’s work to:
- regularly plan software and status reporting activities
- maintain and improve the Minor Planet Center software development best practices
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 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.
Candidates for grade 11 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as administering an SQL database in a production environment, including responsibility for database backup, recovery, security, and performance tuning.
Candidates for grade 12 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position such as the implementation of continuous integration tests for database code within a production environment.
OR
Education:
All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- Ability to apply theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies of software development discipline sufficient to: plan, evaluate, and carry out assignments supporting the science goals of the team
- Demonstrated ability in the development and deployment of Python code within a Linux environment.
- Demonstrated ability in the development and deployment of software tools to interface with relational databases (SQL).
- Expert knowledge and experience in using Git and GitHub (or similar SCM services) for software source control.
- Demonstrated ability using containers (e.g Docker).
- Knowledge of the Unix operating systems, and utility software, experience with Web servers, Web-based and database applications development in a multi-user Unix systems environment.
- Knowledge of SQL, database architecture and administration, backup and recovery, security, and performance tuning techniques.
- Knowledge of relational database object design and development techniques.
- Ability to utilize verbal and written communication skill
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Please use the following link to visit Smithsonian's Career Page: Smithsonian Institution Job Opportunities Site
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
- Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.
Visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances our daily work life and contributes to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. For more information on the Smithsonian EEO program please see www.si.edu/oeema.