Duties

Summary

This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to May 3, 2021.

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.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Section Head, Arctic Sciences Section, a senior member of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) management team, is responsible to the Office Director for the overall planning, management, and commitment of budgeted program funds for the Section. The incumbent provides leadership to the Section, which supports discipline-based programs encompassing glaciology, atmospheric, biological, ocean and earth sciences and social sciences, as well as interdisciplinary Arctic Systems Science and long-term observations through the Arctic Observing Network Program. The incumbent guides the Section in formulating and implementing its research and research related education and outreach objectives and manages its administrative, fiscal and personnel aspects. The incumbent also oversees the provision of logistics and facilities for certain Arctic research and education activities. The incumbent works closely with the OPP Front Office Integration Team on matters concerning environment, safety, health, communications, budget and policy in implementing research objectives requiring an Arctic presence, and with the Section Head for Antarctic Sciences in supporting research activities occurring at both poles.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00 - All new SES members serve a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• One Year probationary period 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 Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Clearance.

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

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 only be considered for an IPA assignment (if applicable).

Essential

1. Leading Change. Demonstrated ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Includes the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People. Demonstrated ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Includes 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. Demonstrated ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Includes the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen. Demonstrated ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions. Demonstrated ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, non-profit or 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. If you fail to do so, you will only be considered for an IPA assignment (if applicable).

Essential

Education, strongly preferred at the Ph.D. level, or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience in one or more areas of current or emerging research interest in polar regions (e.g., glaciology, biological, ocean, atmospheric, earth or social sciences, and/or their intersections).

Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship and leadership in one or more of the major fields in polar research, as evidenced in publications and other professional contributions.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with scientists from a variety of disciplines, fostering forefront disciplinary and interdisciplinary research programs and research experience involving large-scale infrastructure, logistics ad/or interagency or international partnerships.

Broad understanding of institutions where research is conducted and knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in research support.

When responding to each of 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 that are clear, concise, emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, complexities of the programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

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; but a narrative statement for each of the Professional/Technical (P/T) qualifications is required.

For detailed guidance on Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's
Guide to Executive Qualifications .

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. Career appointees are eligible for bonuses based on performance in addition to base pay. Competitive status is not required, veterans 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 of 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 screened for basic eligibility according to the qualification requirements. Eligible applicants will be reviewed by an Evaluation Panel according to the criteria based on the qualification requirements. 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
Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

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.

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.