This position is part of the National Weather Service (NWS), National Centers for Environmental Protection (NCEP), Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). SWPC delivers space weather information by providing vital observations, forecasts, watches, warnings, alerts, and decision support services. SWPC empowers risk-informed decisions across energy, defense, emergency management, communications, transportation, spaceflight, satellite operations, and Positioning, Navigation, and Timing sectors.
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy. To qualify for the 1301 series: BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience OR substitution of education for experience OR combination (if applicable) in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package. You MUST meet the following requirements: A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -AND- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. 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. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to 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. To qualify at the GS-14 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Providing advice and guidance to a team supporting space weather forecasts or services; Communicating and collaborating with stakeholders or media to increase public awareness of space weather forecasts or warnings or to disseminate findings; and Analyzing and evaluating the accuracy and reliability of space weather forecasting tools, systems, or services.
As an Operations Team Lead, you will perform the following duties: Lead efforts to provide Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) products and services to customers supporting the electric power grid, satellite operations, satellite communications, aviation operations, astronauts living and working in space, and space-based position, navigation, and timing systems (including GPS). Perform outreach and education to increase public awareness, understanding, preparedness, and responsiveness for extreme events, while collaborating with academia, international partners, and the commercial sector to integrate scientific and technological advancements into forecasting operations. Oversee the analysis and forecasting of space weather phenomena, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of all issued products, and provide critical information and warnings about events impacting technology and infrastructure. Serve as the primary liaison to science and technology divisions, integrating the latest advancements into operational forecasting by developing and testing new capabilities and collaborating to enhance and optimize forecasting tools and systems.