TITLE: Information Technology Specialist (Applications Software), IS-2210, Grades 9, 11; $52,927 to $76,989/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund (non-Federal), Indefinite
DIVISION: - High Energy Astrophysics
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All qualified candidates

First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date. Selection may be made at either the grade 9or 11 level. If selected at the Grade 9 level the employee may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher grade level, up to the next higher grade level, up to grade 11, upon the recommendation of the supervisor, based on the position classification as well as the qualifications and satisfactory performance of the employee.

The employee will be assigned to the Astrophysics Data Systems (ADS) project, and will be part of a team working to design, develop, implement and maintain the project’s IT infrastructure, and help plan, specify and build the technologies needed to support the projects goal of ubiquitous access to the astronomical literature and related datasets.

The employee’s primary focus is the development and support of system software used by its search engine, user databases, and notification services. This includes the implementation and deployment of a web content management system, metadata and full-text search engine and interfaces, tools for personalization, and novel interfaces for visualizing bibliographic resources and datasets. Responsibilities also include the development of tools to support the production and curation of digital content and maintenance and support of existing web applications and functionality.

DUTIES:

* Duties at the grade 9 level may include, but are not limited to: developing software modules for the ADS project on workstation class computers; creating new programs that add to system capability and modifying existing programs to meet new requirements; generating code based on software specification consistent with the overall system architecture; verifying and testing all generated software and maintaining code as part of an overall system and generating software and other user documentation.

* Duties at the grade 11 level, in addition to the above, may include, but are not limited to: designing, coding, and debugging software components and subcomponents of the ADS on workstation and server class computers. This involves the creation of new programs that add to system capabilities as well as the modification of existing programs to meet evolving requirements and requires that the employee be familiar with the requirements for the entire subsystem.

QUALIFICATIONS : Candidates for all grade levels must possess knowledge of JAVA and Unix, scripting languages such as Perl and Python; experience with relational database design and management; knowledge of XML, major XML schemas, XML transformation tools, and web services standards; knowledge of mathematics sufficient to communicate with scientists and engineers concerning the nature of the calculations being performed and algorithms being developed; skill in developing new software, modifying existing programs and planning, coding, testing, and maintaining programs that may present complex problems; and skill in oral and written communication. In addition, candidates must possess the qualifications required for the specific grade levels for which they are applying, as noted below.

Candidates for grade 9 must posses a minimum of one year specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 7 level in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Specialized experience is that which is directly related to the position to be filled, and that has equipped the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are required to perform the duties of the position successfully. One of the following may substitute for the above experience:

1. two years of graduate level education or Master's or equivalent degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or related field, or in a field such as a physical science where course work required development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to graduate level education in a computer field; or
2. combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.

1. three years of graduate level education in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or related field, or in a field such as a physical science where the course work required the development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to graduate level education in the computer field; or
2. Ph.D. or equivalent degree in one of the fields cited above; or
3. combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.

NOTE: Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful/satisfactory completion of a pre-appointment background check and subsequent background investigation. New employees are subject to background checks, including fingerprinting, and a one year probationary period.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested candidates should submit resumes to Recruiter #461, referencing Job Posting #28-21, at the mailing address below, or to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. Please note that the email address is for the submission of application materials only. If you are relying on education to qualify, please furnish a copy of your college transcripts.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.

Visit our SAO website. or http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/sao-home.html . For additional information on ADS please visit http://ads.harvard.edu

Mailing address:
Recruiter 461 (JP#28-21)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138