Office of Naval Research Logo
Position Title
SCIENCE ADVISOR (INTERDISCIPLINARY)
Agency
Office of Naval Research
Announcement Number
ST-12675810-25-AA Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, January 30, 2025 to Wednesday, February 12, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you an active duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application? Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.

You are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (e.g., Honorable, General, etc.).  Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation.  

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a retired civil service federal employee seeking reemployment?

If yes, you are required to submit a copy of your retirement SF-50 (or equivalent). In addition, you must select another eligibility (e.g., Former Federal Employee, VEOA, etc.) for which you can claim on this job opportunity announcement.

Failure to select another eligibility will make you ineligible for consideration.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Navy (DON) policy on employment of annuitants will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants. Annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They are not eligible for retirement contributions, to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan, nor to a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e. retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8416(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.

Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf

(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former time-limited employee that occupied a position located at a Defense Industrial Base Facility (DIBF) (click here for map) or Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MRTFB) (click here for list)?

If yes, confirm:
1. You were originally hired under open, competitive examination to the time-limited appointment AND
2. You were on a temporary or term appointment in the competitive service AND
3. You served under one or more time-limited appointments at a DIBF and/or MRTFB for a period or periods totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years AND
4. You performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s)

If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit supporting documentation of your claim including a copy of your first and last SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) for each appointment verifying the Position Occupied code (Block 34) is 1 - Competitive Service AND documentation of fully successful performance appraisal(s) (or equivalent documentation) for each appointment.

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, please see https://www.chcoc.gov/content/national-defense-authorization-act-ndaa-fiscal-year-fy-2017—eligibility-certain-time-limited
(limit characters)
5. Are you a current or former land management agency employee, AND you:
served under a time-limited (temporary or term) appointment for a period totaling at least 24 months without a break in service of more than 2 years, AND
performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s), AND
are not separated from the land management agency OR separated within the last two years for reasons other than misconduct or performance?

If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit supporting documentation of your claim including a copy of your last or most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action(s) reflecting all periods of creditable service and fully successful performance appraisal(s) (or equivalent documentation) from the same time period.

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, please see https://chcoc.gov/content/eligibility-land-management-employees-time-limited-appointment-competitive-service
(limit characters)
6. Are you currently employed as a permanent competitive service employee in the Department of the Navy (Navy or Marine Corps)?

If you are:
  • Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) will reflect career or career-conditional: Tenure 1 or 2 in box 24 AND
  • Your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status in the competitive service: Position Occupied is 1 in box 34 (Unless you are on a permanent VRA appointment then it will show a 2 in box 34).

If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 showing you are employed in the DON in the competitive service AND the SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if not reflected on your most recent SF-50. Failure to submit this documentation with your application will result in a rating of ineligible. If you are serving on an excepted service veterans recruitment appointment (VRA) you must ALSO submit an SF-50 showing your conversion or appointment to the excepted service VRA appointment (Authority code in block 5-C will be J8M).

PLEASE NOTE: For GS positions, to be considered for a promotion, you must provide SF-50(s) that shows that you have held the next lower GS grade for at least one year. SF-50s that have an effective date within the past year (e.g., General Adjustment SF-50 from this year or Within Rate/Grade Increases (WRI/WGI) SF-50 within a year) do not clearly show that you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement. That means if you submit an SF-50 that is dated within the last year, you must submit another SF-50 that is dated more than one year ago to clearly demonstrate you meet the time-in-grade requirements.

If you are a DoD employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF- 50(s) from MyBiz. Failure to provide documentation that fully supports your claim will result in a rating of ineligible.
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7. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Defense?

If yes, confirm:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy AND
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you were (or will be) separated AND
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you have been (or will be) separated AND
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or equivalent.
If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim for interagency career transition assistance including 1) a copy of your agency notice, 2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, AND 3) a copy of your most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. 
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
(limit characters)
8. Are you a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability as defined in 5 CFR 213.3102(u)? The Department of the Navy encourages persons with disabilities to apply!

If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit a letter or certification from a physician, or local, state, or federal rehabilitation office. The letter/certification must be on office letterhead and clearly state your eligibility for the appointing authority under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). A sample letter can be found here. Failure to submit this documentation with your application will result in a rating of ineligible. 

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
9. Are you eligible to apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)?

You are eligible if:
  • you are a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND
  • you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR 
  • you are entitled to veterans' preference including derived preference

If you answer yes to this question you must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service connected disability AND character of service. If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service. If you were issued a DD-215 to amend aforementioned information on the DD-214 you must submit that too.

If you are entitled to claim VEOA due to derived preference you must also provide the applicable supporting documentation of your derived preference (e.g., disability letter from the VA, DD 1300, etc.) as described on Standard Form-15 (SF-15)

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

You may request copies of your military personnel records (e.g., DD-214) online or from the VA.

NOTE: If you are an active duty service member you are not eligible for consideration under this authority. Refer to the active duty service member question for consideration.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the series you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one series. (limit characters)
2. Would you accept a temporary appointment? (limit characters)
3. Where did you hear about this job? We know you saw this announcement on USAJOBS, but did you hear about it somewhere else first?

Please tell us where you first heard about this job.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316 (relating to the Executive Schedule)?
OR
Are you a current or former Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who serves/served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch?
OR
Are you a current or former non-career SES, Limited Term SES, or Limited Emergency SES in the Executive Branch?
OR
Are you a current or former political appointee in the Executive Branch?

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. A recent or former political appointee is defined as someone who held a political appointment covered by OPM's policy within the previous 5-year period. If you are currently employed, or have been employed within the last 5 years, in any one of the categories above, you must disclose this information. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

For more information see https://www.chcoc.gov/content/political-appointees-and-career-civil-service-positions-4 and https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/oversight-activities/faqs/

If you answer Yes to this question, you must provide your current or past SF50 for the political appointment.
(limit characters)
5. I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement. (limit characters)
Conditions of Employment
1. I am willing and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Note: If you are a PPP applicant exercising your priority status, you must currently possess the required security clearance. If you select yes below, you are certifying that you currently possess the required security clearance.
(limit characters)
2. I am willing and able to travel away from my duty location. (limit characters)
3. I am willing and able to submit to random drug testing (urinalysis) on a recurring basis. This position has been identified as a Test Designated Position (TDP) and I am willing and able to refrain from the use of illegal drugs as defined under federal law in the Controlled Substances Act and if requested, I will submit to urinalysis testing. Further, I am willing and able to sign a statement acknowledging the position is occupied as a TDP, and that I am subject to random drug testing as a condition of employment. (limit characters)
4. This position requires that the selectee complete and pass a pre-employment drug test. I am willing and able to complete and pass a pre-employment drug test. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-0401, Professional Biological Science Series. (limit characters)
2. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-0801, Professional Engineering Series. (limit characters)
3. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-1301, Professional Physical Science Series.
(limit characters)
4. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-1515, Professional Operations Research Series. (limit characters)
5. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-1520, Professional Mathematics Series.   (limit characters)
6. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the basic education requirement for the GS-1550, Professional Computer Science Series.
 
(limit characters)
7. Please select one response that best describes how you meet the minimum qualifications for a GS-XXXX-15, Science Advisor (Interdisciplinary). (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
8. Serve as a principal advisor and senior representative with a Science and Technology (S&T) and Research and Development (R&D) organization in government, academia, and industry to analyze technological requirements. (limit characters)
9. Review and evaluate Science and Technology (S & T) products and requirements to recommend improvements. (limit characters)
10. Organize, plan, and lead a project from idea development through to final briefings and papers. (limit characters)
11. Identify, evaluate, and insert technologies to improve force survivability, sustainability, and maintainability in a timely and cost effective manner. (limit characters)
12. Collaborate and coordinate with personnel throughout the Naval Research Enterprise to determine total Fleet Force solutions to Warfighter issues and requirements. (limit characters)
13. Partner with and advise senior leadership on the identification of technical issues related to naval systems and components that have significant impact on Warfighter requirements. (limit characters)
14. Conceive, develop, lead and manage Science and Technology (S & T) analyses and assessments that support naval transformation solutions and implementation of higher level strategic guidance. (limit characters)
15. Define problems and recommend solutions for Navy Science and Technology (S & T)/Research and Development (R & D) issues. (limit characters)
16. Develop senior level briefings and conduct negotiations to improve the prioritization of technological requirements. (limit characters)
17. Present technical information to senior leadership. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
18. Do you certify that all of your responses to this questionnaire are true and accurate; and do you accept that if your supporting documentation does not support one or more of your responses to the questionnaire that your application may be rated lower or you may be removed from further consideration? (limit characters)