Duties

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for an Interdisciplinary Program Director position in the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), within the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) for the Office of the Director (OD), Alexandria, VA.

For more information on EPSCoR please click here .

For more information on OIA please click here .

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the program officer are constantly evolving. The program officer is guided by the NSF vision of advancing discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowering future generations in science and engineering through the three interrelated strategic outcome goals of Transform the Frontiers, Innovate for Society, and Perform As a Model Organization.

The EPSCoR program officer is committed to support the program goals to: Catalyze the development of research capabilities and the creation of new knowledge that expands jurisdictions' contributions to scientific discovery, innovation, learning, and knowledge-based prosperity; Establish sustainable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, training, and development pathways that advance jurisdiction-identified research areas and workforce development; Broaden direct participation of diverse individuals, institutions, and organizations in the project's science and engineering research and education initiatives; Effect sustainable engagement of project participants and partners, the jurisdiction, the national research community, and the public through data-sharing, communication, outreach, and dissemination; and Impact research, education, and economic development beyond the project at academic, government, and private sector levels.

Responsibilities of the program officer include: long-range planning/budget development, administration of the merit review process, oversight of awards, preparation of press releases describing advances in research, and coordination internal and external to NSF.

PROGRAM PLANNING/MANAGEMENT

• Maintain a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research, education, and workforce development enterprise across EPSCoR Jurisdictions through the EPSCoR section's Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) programs, Foundation-wide co-funding, and through interagency partnerships with other EPSCoR-like programs.
• Manage EPSCoR program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to ensure integrity and consistency in the award/declination process without conflicts of-interest, with balance among EPSCoR's Tracks, sub-fields and institutions, and with respect for each EPSCoR jurisdiction's stated science and technology goals and drivers.
• Manage an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and ensuring participation by women, minorities and disabled individuals. Additionally, attention to identifying appropriate disciplinary expertise in EPSCoR's multi- and inter-disciplinary programs.
• Manage EPSCoR's RII awards through required project Site Visits, Reverse Site Visits, Strategic Planning Meetings, and annual project meetings, and through thorough and detailed analysis of annual progress reports.
• Provide scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, other research programs, and cross directorate programs.
• Advise and assist in the development of short and long-range plans, establishing goals and objectives for EPSCoR RII Tracks, co-funding, and workshops/outreach programs. Support budget planning for EPSCoR's Investment Strategies considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocating resources by distributing scarce resources among major program competitions, and providing post-award oversight across a broad portfolio of multi-disciplinary awards.
• Control waste, fraud and abuse.

REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP

• Represent the EPSCoR Program, OIA, and NSF while accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions.
• Present EPSCoR's RII, Co-Funding, and workshop/outreach programs and related activities at annual meetings of Jurisdictions, the annual PI conference hosted by NSF EPSCoR, and the biennial National Conference hosted by an EPSCoR jurisdiction.
• Create and maintain linkages to other NSF units/other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.
• Participate in staff, panel, committee meetings, providing input relevant to program area and/or office.
• Pursue affirmative action and EEO goals.
• Pursue and/or be responsive to assignment on special projects and temporary functional teams.
• Contribute ideas/effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission. Develop policies/plans for strengthening research, education, and infrastructure programs; seek feedback from and provide information to the scientific community.
• Prepare and disseminate a variety of informational documents.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Establish contacts and maintain active involvement in program and related areas through participation in professional activities. Maintain familiarity with current research developments. Pursue individual research as workload/travel funds permit.
• Expand capabilities through training or assumption of new responsibilities.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
04

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

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

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. 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

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field, plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful experience in some combination of research, education, research administration, technology transfer, corporate management, and/or academic leadership.

Education

Additional information

Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds

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.

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.

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

Expertise in one of the STEM disciplines demonstrated by publications, invited talks, and/or professional recognition.

Skill in evaluation of research and education related activities and outcomes for a multi- and inter-disciplinary program supporting both Jurisdiction-wide and interjurisdictional collaborations. Ability to manage an externally reviewed proposal driven grants program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of program goals.

Analytical, presentation, and technical writing skills that evidence the ability to communicate effectively across disciplinary boundaries and with a diverse group of constituents and to provide extensive inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues and make recommendations and decisions based on findings.

Ability to interact effectively, on a peer basis, with senior scientific and managerial personnel of EPSCoR's Jurisdictions, throughout NSF, other federal agencies, non-profits, the private sector, and peers to effectively present, advocate and advance program policies, plans and goals.

Ability to recognize and formulate programmatic plans that respond to emerging areas of research.

Ability to work effectively in a team setting in pursuit of program goals and objectives.

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 adsearch@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.