Advanced Visualization Specialist

Job SummaryASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: Advanced Visualization Specialists design, produce, and finish technologically sophisticated animated and interactive products. They use data extraction, image analysis, 3D illustration, and advanced computer software packages to develop and/or modify precision visualization products.Additional Job InformationADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 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. Our intelligence officers go beyond describing ‘what, where and when’ to revealing ‘how and why.’ our work enables decision advantage for our policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.NGA seeks Advanced Visualization Specialists who are experts in visual storytelling to design high-quality products to support missions such as National Intelligence, National Security, Military Planning and Operations and Disaster Relief and Preparedness for a diverse audience including the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and senior US policymakers.Job duties may include:* Work with complex GEOINT and non-spatial data.* Take complex stories that are technical in nature and distill them into easy-to-understand geospatially accurate, visually realistic, animated, and interactive 3D visualization products.* Create complex facilities and equipment in 3D modeling software.* Apply realistic textures to 3D models.* Create models with realistic environmental features (e.g., natural lighting, sky, or ground cover).* Develop 3D models that explain customer issues quickly.* Extract and attribute objects, entities, features, information, and/or data from source material, to include imagery, using appropriate techniques and methods.* Analyze processes, services, and products to ensure that they meet quality standards and requirements.* Disseminate data, information, and analytical conclusions using a variety of visual tools, techniques, and methods.* Knowledge in safety of navigation, statistics, layout, topography, color and composition and/or composition.* Work with a multitude of services or data to include: 3D Terrain modeling, Custom Visualization, Mapping and Charting data for Print on Demand (PoD) production, and safety of navigation (SoN) products.* Work closely with analysts to conceptualize visuals that clearly and effectively communicate intelligence findings.* Occasionally brief management, mission partners, and senior leaders.Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit onthis website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to:1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics thatare aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in this application you submitmust support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required.Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.Mandatory QualificationsMANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement’s mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement:1. Demonstrated proficiency with Autodesk Maya and/or 3DS Max.2. Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, e.g..Photoshop.3. Demonstrated proficiency in 3D modeling.As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in 3D Animation, Gaming, Industrial Design, Architecture, Visual Arts, Multimedia, or a related field. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework in any area listed in option A, plus experience in 3D animation, gaming, 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. Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals 4 years. -OR- C. Experience: A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in 3D animation, gaming, or a related field that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT: Distinguish principal colors and shades/hues of principal colors; Near visual acuity of 20/20 or better with or without corrective lenses; Stereopsis abilityHighly Desired QualificationsQUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired:1. Experience in Real-time, interactive 3D technologies proficiencies – examples include gaming engines like Unity, web-based libraries and frameworks (WebGL, three.js, etc.), and Adobe Acrobat/3D PDF’s.2. Expertise in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) development skills.3. Demonstrated experience with satellite imagery, image processing and using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).4. Experience with producing geo-referenced 3D scenes and terrain models.5. Demonstrated experience in interfacing with customers at various levels to meet their requirements.6. Experience with modeling photorealistic 3D and producing 3D animated movies that depict complex scenarios.Additional Job RequirementsYou 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.Pay, Benefits, & Work SchedulePROMOTION 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.Band 03 $65,597 – $134,798PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized.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.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/ngabenefits.htmlCover LetterApplicants are not required to submit a cover letter. The entire cover letter cannot exceed the specified limits provided in the Cover Letter field (3,000 characters). Pages exceeding this limit will not be considered. The cover letter is recommended but is not required for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Applicants should place their narrative information in the Cover Letter / Other Professional Details field.Who may applyExternal Applicants OnlyHow to applyApplication submission involves applying using the Intelligence Community’s Applicant Gateway on-line application process.ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.How will I be evaluated?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 redetermined 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, at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives.)All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.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.Conditions of EmploymentAs 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 Probationary Period* Direct Deposit RequiredDCIPS DisclaimerNGA 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 in your application.