Geodetic Surveyor

Developmental Assignment

CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM: All Professional Work Category positions advertised at a Pay Band 2 are part of NGA’s Career Advancement Program (CAP). Employees in the Career Advancement Program will be evaluated semi-annually to determine if they meet the established program requirements. If requirements are met, employees will be eligible for a salary increase. Upon meeting all program requirements, the employee is eligible to be promoted non-competitively to a Pay Band 3. This promotion completes Career Advancement Program participation meaning the employee will no longer receive salary increases through the Career Advancement Program, and will now be evaluated in accordance to the Agency’s standard evaluation processes.

Cover Letter

Applicants are not required to submit a cover letter for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. However, a cover letter is recommended. Applicants will have the option to attach a cover letter in the Qualifications - Attachments step of the online application.

Pay Band, Salary Range - Ext

2025 St. Louis Salary (Step 10 Max)

Band 2 $51,228 - $89,702

2025 Holloman AFB Salary (Step 10 Max):

Band 2 $49,960 - $87,482

Permanent Change in Station

PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.

NGA Marketing Message

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the world leader in Geospatial Intelligence. We analyze imagery and data from many sources and incorporate it into visual displays of essential information for use in national defense, homeland security and safety of navigation. The extraordinary talents and skills of our teams of analysts and other professionals are vital to our success as the worldwide provider of GEOINT.

Know the World, Show the Way...from Seabed to Space!

Assignment Description

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Geodetic Surveyors perform geodetic, geophysical, and handheld GEOINT surveys. They use, maintain, and troubleshoot survey equipment, and compute, adjust, and evaluate geodetic survey data. They provide technical expertise on geodetic and geophysical issues to customers and represent NGA in external community forums.

Promotion Opportunity

PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure.

Additional Information

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: **ACTUAL LOCATION OF POSITION: Holloman AFB, NM or White Sands Missile Range, NM. The National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA) serves as the world leader in providing timely, relevant, accurate and actionable geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). NGA's civilian, military and contract personnel evaluate imagery, maps, charts, multiple layers of foundation data - such as terrain, elevation and gravity - and the full spectrum of visible and invisible light in order to help users visualize what is happening at a particular place and time.

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Geodetic Surveyors typically have knowledge and experience in one or both of the following areas:

• Geodetic Surveying (geodetic positioning, geodetic azimuths, vertical levels, and LiDAR)

• Geophysical Surveying (astronomic positions, astronomic azimuths, gravity, and magnetics) Geodetic surveyors travel frequently and work outdoors, sometimes in remote or harsh environments, or extreme weather conditions. They are detail-oriented, with strong mathematical, computer, and technical skills. They use critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills to adapt to changing field conditions and troubleshoot equipment and software issues.

• Participate on geodetic and geophysical surveys as a team member

• Follow standard methods and guidance to perform geodetic and geophysical surveys

• Use, maintain, and troubleshoot geodetic and geophysical survey equipment with assistance

• Compute, process, adjust, and evaluate basic geodetic and geophysical survey data with assistance

• Prepare field notes, reference maps, and sketches for geodetic and geophysical survey projects

• Maintain an awareness of advances in the field of geodesy and make basic applications of the information

• May be required to work evening and night shifts, weekends and holidays. In addition to addressing the mandatory and desirable requirements, it is recommended that candidates document the following:

• Coursework or foundational knowledge in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and advanced statistics, geodesy, and geophysics.

• Use of geodetic or geophysical equipment and software

• Participation in field surveys, including the types of field surveys and their role(s) in the surveys (project management, team lead/crew chief, team member, data processing/analysis, survey publication, or quality control).

This position may be eligible for a RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: selected candidates may be offered an incentive as part of the offer of employment. To receive the incentive, selected candidates must be eligible under 5 CFR Part 575, Subpart A, upon issuance of the Final Offer Letter. Changes in federal employment status prior to issuance of the Final Offer Letter may affect eligibility. To receive the incentive, selected candidates will be required to sign a service agreement to stay within the position at NGA for the agreed upon time. If the service agreement is terminated before its completion, the employee may be required to repay a pro rata share amount of the incentive to the government. Additional information regarding recruitment incentives for current federal employees can be found in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 2006.

Qualifications Mandatory

MANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online resumes must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:

1. Proven ability to perform field work in harsh environmental conditions that frequently change.

2. Demonstrated familiarity conducting basic scientific or statistical analysis and drawing appropriate conclusions and interpretations of the data.

3. Demonstrated experience engaging with or being part of a team.

4. Demonstrated rudimentary experience measuring, processing, and publishing geodetic data derived from geodetic surveying operations.

5. Demonstrated familiarity with proper operation and application of best practices using GNSS receivers, data collectors, electronic/robotic total stations, and/or terrestrial/mobile LiDAR.

6. Demonstrated familiarity or experience related to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) baseline processing and/or least squares adjustment software.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Geodesy, Mathematics, Physical Science, or a related discipline that includes at least 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework in any combination of Astronomy, Cartography, Computer Science, Engineering Science, Geodesy, Geodetic Surveying, Geology, Geomatics, Geophysics, Geographic Information Systems, Mathematics, Meteorology, Orbital Mechanics, Photogrammetry, Physical Science, Physics, Remote Sensing, or Surveying. Coursework must include differential and integral calculus. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus appropriate experience conducting work related to Civil Engineering, Geodesy, Geophysics, Geotechnical Analysis, Surveying, or a related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years. -AND- LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Registration as a Professional Engineer or Land Surveyor is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Straight pulling; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Use of hands; Walking; Prolonged periods of standing; Crawling; Kneeling; Repeated bending; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Depth perception; Hearing (aid permitted); Distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors; Near visual acuity of 20/20 or better with or without corrective lenses; Far visual acuity of 20/30 or better binocular with or without corrective lenses

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENT: Working outside and inside; Working around excessive noise, intermittent; Exposure to fumes, smoke, or gases; Working around slippery or uneven walking surfaces; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working around moving objects or vehicles; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Working below ground; Repetitive physical tasks; Working in harsh environments

Qualifications Desirable

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:

1. Familiarity with collecting, processing, or analyzing LiDAR data utilizing terrestrial, mobile, or airborn LiDAR platforms.

2. Familiarity with collecting, processing, or analyzing geophysical data, such as gravity, magnetics, or astronomic positions or azimuths.

3. Demonstrated rudimentary experience with utilizing Geographic Information Systems.

Special Info External

As a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards.

- U.S. Citizenship Required

- Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information)

- Polygraph Test Required

- Position Subject to Drug Testing

- Two Year Trial Period

- Direct Deposit Required

Applicant Evaluation Process

APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages:

1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria,

2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates,

3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process.

Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education information referenced in the announcement. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted.

In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(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. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300). Reemployed annuitants must meet additional selection criteria as outlined in the DODI 1400.25, v300.

NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at recruitment@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

DCIPS Statement

NGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices.

This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility.

Benefits

Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.

For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit https://www.nga.mil/careers/Benefits_&_Pay.html.

How To Apply

Application submission involves applying using NGA's online application process at NGA Careers Portal. Additional information concerning NGA's hiring process can be found by visiting NGA Hiring Process.

All announcements close at 11:59PM EDT on the closing date listed. Be sure to complete and submit your application by that time in order to be considered.

ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Both applicants for employment and current employees of NGA are entitled to request religious accommodations from generally applicable employment-related rules and requirements, so long as the accommodation requested would not result in an undue hardship to the conduct of NGA’s business.

What To Expect Next

After visiting the NGA Careers Portal and applying via NGA's online application process, applicants can follow their status via that same NGA online application functionality. Several other topics relating to what is involved in the hiring process and how long it takes can be found by visiting the NGA Hiring Process.

Special Requirements

You must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,960.00 - $87,482.00 per year

Schedule:

• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $49,960 - $87,482