Duties

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for an Interdisciplinary (Program Director) position for the Convergence Accelerator Office in the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) within the Office of the Director (OD), Alexandria, VA.

For more information on OD please click here .

For more information on OIA please click here .

For more information on NSF Convergence Accelerator please click here .

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Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the NSF Program Director are constantly evolving. The Program Director 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 three interrelated strategic outcome goals of Transform the Frontiers, Innovate for Society, and Perform As a Model Organization.

The individual selected for this temporary position will provide stability and agency expertise to the NSF Convergence Accelerator. With other Convergence Accelerator staff members, the selected candidate will participate in planning, implementing, assessing, and optimizing the various initiatives and activities of the program. Each staff member will contribute to the Office's responsibilities for establishing goals and objectives, initiating new program thrusts, and/or revising and improving current activities. In addition, he/she will possess strong skills in partnership development, entrepreneurship, the management of fast-paced teams, and/or the transition of convergence, interdisciplinary research into practice.

The selected individual will also work in close collaboration with the NSF Convergence Accelerator Office Head, and assist other staff by providing information on new developments and opportunities; by maintaining and further strengthening linkages with collaborative programs at NSF and other relevant Federal agencies; by participating in technical management and financial oversight of various funded projects; and/or by representing the NSF Convergence Accelerator at relevant national and international events.

Specific Duties include:

PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

• Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities.
• Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to insure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict of interests, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists.
• Incorporates cross-directorate responsibilities into program administration.
• Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and insuring participation by women, minorities and disabled scientists.
• Provides scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, and other research programs, and cross-directorate programs.
• Advises and assists in the development of short-and-long range plans, establishing goals and objectives for support of research programs.
• Plans the budget for the program/programs considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among major competitive programs, and manages post-award evaluation.
• Controls waste, fraud and abuse.
  

REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP

• Represents the Program, Office and the Foundation within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organizations, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions.
• Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.
• Participates in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to program area and/or Division.
• Pursues affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) goals.
• Pursues and/or is responsive to assignment on special projects and temporary function teams across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs.
• Contributes ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission.
• Develops policies and plans for strengthening support of research and education programs.
• Provides information to the community on how NSF is pursuing its mission and gathers data and impressions from the community on the effectiveness of NSF's performance of its mission.
• Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward NSF goals, trends and opportunities, and budget plans.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities.
• Maintains familiarity with salient current research developments.
• Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit.
• Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
04

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 ( Foreign Talent Definitions ). 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.

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 Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Mathematical Sciences. plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master's degree in Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Mathematical Sciences, plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration,

The desired candidates will possess strong skills in partnership development, entrepreneurship, the management of fast-paced teams, and/or the transition of convergence, interdisciplinary research into practice

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 MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds

This announcement is open to current NSF employees who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please note: NSF IPA's are not considered agency employees and are not eligible to apply.

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 and understanding of scientific principles and theories applicable to your area of discipline demonstrated by publications, invited talks, and/or professional recognition.

Skill in evaluation of research and education activities for a multidisciplinary program. Ability to manage an externally reviewed proposal driven grants program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of program goals.

Professional analytical and technical writing skills which evidence experience in presentation of extensive inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues and make recommendations and decisions based on findings.

Ability to interact effectively with members of the scientific community, representatives of other federal agencies, foreign national programs 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.

Experience in assessing scientific investments and the outcomes associated with those investments overtime.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

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.

You should upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@nsf.gov and 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 uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.

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.