Computer Scientist

Summary

The branch performs research, development, testing, and operational integration of surveillance systems with air traffic automation platforms, which are integral to ensuring safe separation of aircraft within the NAS. The branch also develops accredited hardware and software test tools in support of its mission. The branch collaborates with the other federal agencies and external organizations to identify and mitigate the effects of cyberattacks against the NAS surveillance system.

Duties

Serve as a computer scientist for work involving application, testing, maintenance, and development of surveillance analysis software tools. Apply computer sciences and principles and disciplines to the building of software systems and analysis tools. Develop software tools necessary for surveillance testing and support the accreditation process of such tools. Analyze current and proposed computer system hardware and software configurations used for surveillance data collection, data reduction, and analysis to determine their ability to meet project requirements. Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers, and others to obtain information on hardware and software limitations and capabilities, performance requirements, and interfaces, to design new software and modify existing software. Recommend software design configurations that will improve the effectiveness of proposed test configurations. Investigate the suitability of commercially available hardware/software to fulfill unique surveillance test requirements. Conduct surveillance data analysis, data collection and data reduction. Ensure data analysis is performed completely and accurately, and the test report contains clear/concise conclusions and recommendations. As a member of test team, participate in the development of surveillance test plans, procedures, and reports, which delineate the methods and results, used to verify/validate NAS system/subsystem level requirements. Develop comprehensive test requirements, plans, and procedures for the conduct of surveillance testing. Develop test traceability matrices and test schedules for completing assigned tasks. Analyze surveillance test results, identify and recommend solutions to problems encountered during testing. Revise test methods as warranted. Evaluate collected data to determine adequacy of the tested system to meet project requirements. Document test results and prepare comprehensive technical reports based upon the technical analysis of actual field or laboratory data. Coordinate with and provide testing and technical recommendations to technical leads. Participate in interdisciplinary team of technical experts to research, develop, test, acquire, and/or implement surveillance systems that impact the NAS. Participate in procurement activities, prepare/review specifications, reviews bids, and proposal evaluations. Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Provides guidance to lower-level technical staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations. Work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOB's/SO's. In some areas, the work may affect the safety and security of customers.

Qualifications

To view the complete OPM qualification standard for the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Computer Scientist Series 1550, please refer to: Computer Science Series 1550 Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. In addition to meeting the education requirement, To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H, FG 10-12. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized Experience is: Experience facilitating application, testing, maintenance, and development of surveillance analysis software tools. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.