Duties

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for an Interdisciplinary (Science Policy Analyst) position in the National Science Board Office (NSBO), Alexandria, VA.

For more information on NSBO please click here .

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The National Science Board (NSB, the Board) was established by the Congress in 1950 to serve both as an independent national science policy body and to oversee and guide the activities of the NSF. It has dual responsibilities to (a) provide national science and engineering policy advice to the President and the Congress and (b) establish policies for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The Board oversees NSF as it carries out its statutory responsibility to maintain the health of the Nation's science and engineering enterprise by funding research in all the basic sciences and engineering. NSF also supports innovative education programs from kindergarten through graduate school, preparing future generations of scientists and engineers and contributing to a more scientifically literate workforce and society.

The Board establishes NSF policies, identifies issues that are critical to NSF's future, approves NSF's strategic budget directions, approves annual budget submissions to the Office of Management and Budget, and approves new programs and major awards. The Board analyzes NSF's budget to ensure progress and consistency along the strategic direction set for NSF and to ensure balance between initiatives and core programs.

In its role as policy advisor to the President and the Congress, the Board initiates and conducts studies on a broad range of policy topics related to science and engineering research and education, presents the results and Board recommendations in reports and policy statements to the President and the Congress, and makes these documents available to the research and educational communities and the public. On a biennial basis, the Board publishes Science and Engineering Indicators , a detailed examination of the state of science and engineering in the United States. Through its major policy studies, the Board makes important contributions to the national policy debate on critical issues in science and engineering.

The National Science Board Office (NSBO) is the focal point for coordinating the development and analyses of a broad range of policy-level issues and strategies requiring Board attention and/or action. By providing direct administrative, operational staff and policy support to the Board, the mission of the NSBO is to advise and assist the NSB in fulfilling its obligation to govern the NSF and advance research and education in science and engineering. This includes coordination with the NSF Director's Office and other NSF offices to ensure successful development of Board activities and effective and informed service to Board Members. The responsibilities of the NSBO fall into four areas - Board operations, administration, and policy support, and communications and external engagement with stakeholders. NSBO staff liaisons and executive secretaries selected from throughout NSF support the activities of the Board's five standing committees and a variety of ad hoc committees, subcommittees and task forces.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director of the Executive Secretariat, the Science Policy Analyst is responsible for supporting the Board in its deliberations on national and NSF-specific science and engineering policy issues through regular Board activities and special assignments and projects.

The Science Policy Analyst is expected to work with minimal guidance, to exercise independent judgment and initiative, and to handle sensitive or confidential matters related to the Board. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Policy Analysis

• Pursuing intensive research of complex and often difficult national policy issues in science and engineering.
• Maintaining awareness of opportunities and issues being considered by the Board and relevant past Board actions. When appropriate, the incumbent generates options for action, describes arguments for and against each option and recommends courses of action.
• Collecting, analyzing, contextualizing, and explaining data.
• Assisting executive secretaries and liaisons to support committees and other subdivisions of the Board, by contributing to talking points, minutes, presentations, and logistical support. Serving as a Board committee or task force liaison as needed.
• Researching and writing background papers, presentations, reports, policy briefs, testimony, speeches, editorials and other written materials related to issues of interest to the Board.
• Contributing to high-level discussions as initiated by the Board regarding science and engineering policy.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
02

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background investigation.
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Please preview "Evaluations" section and "Qualifications" for additional requirements and Quality Ranking Factors.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a STEM related field plus OR a master's degree in a STEM related field plus after award of the degree, two or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.

Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered.

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.

NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used.

We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.

Quality Ranking Factors

Knowledge of national policy issues specific to STEM, STEM education, and/or NSF.

Experienced in federal science policy analysis and development.

Excellent written and oral communication skills and experienced in engagement strategies, including with Congress.

Experience with Boards and/or other high-level officials.

Ability to manage and collaborate on complex projects.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

All applicants must submit a resume in any format, and may also submit a cover letter.

In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey . This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

You can fax or upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to rotator@nsf.gov ; please ask him/her to put your name and the job announcement number in the subject line.

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).

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.