Duties

Summary

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 . 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

The Assistant Director provides leadership and direction to the SBE Directorate, which includes four major components. The Division of Social and Economic Sciences, the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences and the SBE Office of Multidisciplinary Activities support disciplinary and multidisciplinary research and education activities. The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics is the nation's principal producer of statistics on the education, employment, funding, and activities of scientists and engineers in all sectors of the U.S. economy as well as internationally. These organizations provide the basic structure for SBE activities. They support both disciplinary and interdisciplinary activities and partner effectively with each other, with other parts of NSF, with other agencies, and internationally. The Assistant Director participates in the coordination and overall management of Directorate activities with the directorate's senior managers and a staff of approximately 130.

Supervisory status
Yes

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

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• One year probationary period required for all new Career SES appointments
• Requires an Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure OGE278
• US Citizenship or appropriate affidavit, depending on position

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. Applicants who do not provide a narrative statement will only be considered for an IPA appointment, if applicable.
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 in the social or behavioral sciences or related field.

2. Substantial research contributions and experience in academic, government and/or private national research and education endeavors as evidenced in publications, innovative leadership in research administration and/or professional leadership awards.

3. Demonstrated ability to work effectively on interdisciplinary matters and science policy with scientific and technical staff from many disciplines.

4. Knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in scientific 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 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 (PTQs) is required.

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

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

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.

The position may also be filled on an 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.

Relocation expenses may be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.

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. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

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

For additional information regarding this vacancy please refer to the Dear Colleague Letter as advertised on NSF's webpage. ( https://www.nsf.gov/od/searches/sbe-210722/nsf_ad_sbe_search_letter.jsp )


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 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.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

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) 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 Executive/Managerial qualification. 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.
Additional Documentation:
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. This also applies to individuals considered for Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments to NSF. 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. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

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