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Section Head, Integrated Activities Section

National Science Foundation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to March 10, 2017.

Please DO NOT USE the APPLY ONLINE BUTTON when applying for this announcement. Your application material should be sent to the email address indicated in the How To Apply section below.

The January 23, 2017, Presidential Memorandum, entitled “Hiring Freeze,” ordered government agencies (including the National Science Foundation) to freeze all hiring of Federal civilian employees. In an effort to ensure NSF is best positioned to resume hiring after the hiring freeze expires and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issues its plan to reduce the size of the Federal Government’s workforce, NSF will continue its recruitment efforts (post job vacancy announcements, evaluate and screen applicants, interview, etc.). NO EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS WILL BE FILLED UNTIL RESOLUTION OF THE HIRING FREEZE, or the position qualifies for a hiring exemption pursuant to OMB guidance. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this process.

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 60 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.

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, veteran's 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.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/13/2017 to 03/10/2017
Salary
$163,519 to - $179,600 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
Arlington, VA
1 vacancy
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation may be paid contingent on availability of funds.
Appointment type
Permanent - SES Career
Work schedule
Full-time - Full-time.
Service
Promotion potential
00
Supervisory status
Yes
Announcement number
EAR-2017-0002
Control number
462369900

This job is open to

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Duties

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The Head of the Integrated Activities Section serves as a member of the Division leadership team and as the Directorate’s principal spokesperson for its cross-cutting activities. The incumbent is responsible for the overall planning, management and commitment of budgeted funds for the section, which includes the following programs: Education and Human Resources, Instrumentation and Facilities (including Geoinformatics), and cross-cutting research programs Integrated Earth Systems, EarthScope, GeoPRISMS, Critical Zone Observatories, and Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change. This section also includes the division’s communications and analysis group. The incumbent guides the Section in formulating and implementing its research objectives and manages its administrative, fiscal and personnel aspects. The responsibilities of the Head of the Integrated Activities Section include the coordination of activities with the division’s Disciplinary Programs Section and other relevant organizations within the Foundation, other Federal agencies, community organizations and international partners.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Background Investigation

Professional/Technical

Essential

1. Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience, in at least one of the major sub disciplinary fields of the Earth Sciences (e.g., geology, paleontology, hydrology, geochemistry, geophysics, tectonics).

2. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship and leadership in one or more of the major fields in Earth Sciences as evidenced by publications and other professional contributions.

3. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where research and education in science and engineering is conducted. Knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in computing research and education support.

4. Demonstrated broad knowledge of diverse fields that border on the main Earth Sciences disciplines.

Qualifications

Executive/Managerial

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, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

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 Qualifications (ECQs/EMs); but a narrative statement for each of the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) is recommended for this position.

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

Additional information

NSF is relocating! In late summer of 2017, NSF will begin the transition from its current location in Arlington, Virginia to 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. The new location is adjacent to Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station on the Yellow Line, and has ample parking and amenities (hotels, restaurants, and shops) nearby.

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

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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