Duties

Summary

You are encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application package to ensure that you receive full consideration.

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 70 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has remained the premier Federal agency supporting basic research at the frontiers of discovery across all fields, as well as science and engineering education at all levels.

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Responsibilities

This position is Director of the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO). The Division is responsible for administering programs supporting fundamental research in most areas of the solid-earth sciences including geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, and related fields. This responsibility includes support for instrumentation and facilities, interdisciplinary research, education and outreach, broadening participation, centers and large coordinated field projects, as well as support for individual investigators and research groups.

The Division Director reports to the Assistant Director for Geosciences and serves as the spokesperson for the National Science Foundation in the area of Earth Sciences. The Division Director serves as a member of the senior leadership team of the Directorate for Geosciences, working cooperatively with other Division and Office Directors, in advising and aiding the Assistant Director, the Deputy Assistant Director and senior staff in the Directorate for Geosciences. In addition, the Division Director represents NSF to relevant external groups and fosters partnerships with other Divisions, Offices, Directorates, Federal agencies, scientific organizations and the academic community.

The Division Director provides vision and leadership and works jointly with the Section Heads and Administrative personnel in oversight of all activities of the Division of EAR. This includes providing guidance to program officers, administrative and support personnel, recruitment of scientific staff, assessing needs and trends, developing breakthrough opportunities, implementing overall strategic planning, and policy setting.

The Earth Sciences Division is staffed by 30 professional scientists (28 Program Officers + 2 Science Assistants) and 9 full-time professional administrative and support personnel. The Division Director supervises professional staff within the Division and is responsible for the effective use of division staff and resources in meeting organizational goals and objectives. The Division Director in consultation with the Section Heads and Administrative Team determines funding requirements, prepares and justifies budget estimates, balances program needs, allocates resources, and oversees the evaluation of proposals and recommendations for awards and declinations.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Public Trust - Background Investigation

• One year probationary period required for all new Career SES appointments.
• Requires an "Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report" (OGE-278).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Security Clearance.

Qualifications

EXECUTIVE/MANAGERIAL (E/Ms): Unless you are currently under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the E/Ms. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as "ineligible."

Essential

1. Leading Change. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

3. Results-Driven Leadership. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, non-profit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL (P/Ts): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the P/T qualifications. You must address each P/T qualification separately.

Essential

1. Education, strongly preferred at the Ph.D. level, or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience, in Earth Sciences or a closely related field (e.g. chemical and physical earth sciences, surficial earth processes, earth systems and modeling, or other related fields).

2. Strong research contributions and evidence of scholarship in areas related to Earth Sciences as evidenced by publications, innovative leadership in research administration, and professional leadership in these technical areas.

3. Community service experience and a record of supporting broadening participation within the scientific community.

4. Skill in balancing complex and diverse program demands and available resources in response to major advances or changing needs of science and engineering research and technology.

5. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where research and education in science and engineering is conducted, including knowledge of grant administration and fiscal management in earth sciences research support.

When responding to the P/T and E/M qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the E/Ms and P/Ts.

Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the programs managed and program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Applicants who do not provide narrative statements addressing both the E/M and P/T qualifications will only be considered for an IPA assignment, if applicable.

Applicants currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to address the Executive/Managerial (E/M) Qualifications (ECQs); but a narrative statement for each of the Professional/Technical (P/T) Qualifications is required.

To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification (ECQs) statements, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications .

( http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/ )

Security Clearance: Public Trust - Background Investigation

Education

Additional information

The Senior Executive Service (SES) covers managerial positions above GS-15 in the Federal Service. Persons appointed to the SES are eligible for health benefits, life insurance, social security, Federal retirement and thrift savings plan coverage, and participate in the Federal leave system. Competitive status is not required, veteran's preference does not apply and there are no grade restrictions. New appointees to the SES are required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Final selection of career appointees requires the approval of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM approval will be based on the selectee's background in the following five executive core qualification areas: (1) Leading Change, (2) Leading People, (3) Results Driven Leadership, (4) Business Acumen, and (5) Building Coalitions. These areas are incorporated in the five executive/managerial requirements for the position. Information about the leadership requirements for SES-level positions is available on the OPM website .

The position may also be filled on a one-to-three year Senior Executive Service (SES) Limited Term Appointment or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment basis. Under the provisions of the IPA, assignees remain on the payroll of his/her home institution and the institution continues to administer pay and benefits. The National Science Foundation (NSF) will reimburse the home institution for NSF's negotiated share of the costs.

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants will be evaluated by an Evaluation Panel of senior officials. The panel will rate and rank applicants on the basis of the quality and extent of total accomplishments, experience and education. The panel will assess the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the professional/technical qualifications of the position and the executive/managerial qualifications to determine the best qualified candidates. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the appropriate official who will recommend selection. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit reason.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

1. Resume: In addition to your written statements addressing the Essential Executive/Managerial (E/M) Core qualifications, the Essential Professional/Technical (P/T) qualifications, and other qualifications as applicable, submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications. Applicants typically provide the following information:

Full name, mailing address, and day email address and evening telephone numbers.

Educational information, including the name, city and state of your colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received.

Information about your paid and non paid work experience related to this position including:

• Job title (include series and grade, if Federal job)
• Duties and accomplishments
• Employer's name and address
• Supervisor's name and phone number (indicate if we may contact your current supervisor)
• Starting and ending dates of employment (month/year)
• Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

2. P/T Statement: A narrative statement specifically addressing the professional/technical qualifications. Applicants who do not provide a narrative statement addressing each P/T qualification will only be considered for an IPA assignment, as applicable.

3. E/M Statement: A narrative statement specifically addressing each individual E/M. In lieu of the narrative statement, current career SES members, reinstatement eligible, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates must provide the documentation in item #4. Applicants who do not provide a narrative statement addressing each E/M qualification will only be considered for an IPA assignment, as applicable.

4. All current and former career SES members must provide an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action documenting their status or reinstatement eligibility. Candidates who have successfully completed an Office of Personnel Management approved SES Candidate Development Program must submit a copy of their Qualification Review Board (QRB) certificate.

5. Citizenship Affidavit: Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application.

Please review your application packet to ensure that you have submitted all documentation that you want considered.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.