This position is located in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) within the Office of the Director. OLPA’S goal is to advance NSF's mission through strategic communications aligned to the foundation's objectives. OLPA fulfills this mission by building awareness and support with stakeholders and key audiences through targeted outreach, conveying the societal value and impact of NSF’s supported research efforts through communications tactics, aligning communications efforts across the foundation through strategic plans, products and services, and consistent messages, and engaging and empowering NSF’s workforce to support the foundation’s objectives through timely, effective and relevant communications.
In support of NSF and OLPA’s growing communications activities, OLPA has a need for a person capable of working across all directorates and offices within NSF and across all teams within OLPA. This person must exercise independent judgment and initiate the agency’s and the office’s goals, mission and vision. Specific services will include translating scientific topics to a wide variety of audiences, project management and outreach for a variety of audiences. As a member of OLPA, the Science Policy and Communications Analyst will work directly for the Head of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs but coordinate with the Team Leads of OLPA for assignments.
More information about OLPA office can be found at their website More Information.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) within the Office of the Director. OLPA’S goal is to advance NSF's mission through strategic communications aligned to the foundation's objectives. OLPA fulfills this mission by building awareness and support with stakeholders and key audiences through targeted outreach, conveying the societal value and impact of NSF’s supported research efforts through communications tactics, aligning communications efforts across the foundation through strategic plans, products and services, and consistent messages, and engaging and empowering NSF’s workforce to support the foundation’s objectives through timely, effective and relevant communications.
In support of NSF and OLPA’s growing communications activities, OLPA has a need for a person capable of working across all directorates and offices within NSF and across all teams within OLPA. This person must exercise independent judgment and initiate the agency’s and the office’s goals, mission and vision. Specific services will include translating scientific topics to a wide variety of audiences, project management and outreach for a variety of audiences. As a member of OLPA, the Science Policy and Communications Analyst will work directly for the Head of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs but coordinate with the Team Leads of OLPA for assignments.
More information about OLPA office can be found at their website More Information.
Serves as a confidential science communications advisor and resource to the Head of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs in support of policy, planning, and communication activities agency wide.
Serves as the authority on internal communications, primarily responsible for developing and cascading key agency communication messages throughout the workforce.
Develops, maintains and implements a comprehensive NSF internal communications plan to keep NSF staff informed and engaged about NSF initiatives, policies and processes. Considers such items as topics to emphasize, the most effective was to communicate to intended audiences, the kind of information the audiences want or need.
Works with the Office of the Director and the OLPA Office Head to identify and describe issues to be communicated, keeps OLPA senior staff informed of plans for future communications.
Manages a portfolio of assignments which require selecting, analyzing, articulating and translating key scientific policy issues to internal audiences and Senior Management Officials.
Arrives independently through study and research at defensible positions about the quality and value of major foundation programs and policies in science and is responsible for presenting these positions to the OLPA Office Head for internal use. This analysis also forms the basis for setting priorities in the management of the portfolio of issues maintained by the incumbent.
May draw on others in all parts of the Foundation to assist in developing the issues maintained in the portfolio. The position requires frequent direct contact with the Office Head of OLPA, the Director and Chief Operating Officer as well as other high-level management officials.
Represents OLPA on directorate and foundation wide groups, represents NSF on activities related to mission, vision, policy and program related evaluation, as well as scientific policy and planning.
Establishes and maintains liaisons with internal NSF Directorates and Offices on policy issues with which the NSF Director, OPLA Office Head is concerned.
Handles sensitive and confidential matters related to the NSF Director and Chief Operating Officer, the agency’s management, staffing, labor-management relations, agency budget planning and approaches; future programmatic directions and strategy; pre-announcement details of major NSF awards; sensitive information on agency relations to Congress, the Executive Branch, industry, state and local government officials, and leadership of the science and engineering community; and private/personal views of the Director and Chief Operating Officer on key science policy matters.
Preview questions at bottom of Qualifications & Evaluations--see tab above.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
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.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a Ph.D. in any field of science supported by NSF, plus after award of the Ph.D., four or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master’s degree in any field of science supported by NSF, plus after award of the degree, six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
This position is outside of the competitive civil service.
Additional information
If you do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility, you will not obtain civil service status if selected. If you are currently in the competitive civil service, you will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected.
This Program Director position is included in the bargaining unit.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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
Demonstrated ability to write professionally for varied audiences and consistently meet tight deadlines.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with strong attention to detail.
Ability to communicate and translate complex scientific and technological concepts and write professionally for various target audiences.
Contemporary knowledge of written and oral communication principles, techniques, and methods, to include skill in applying and adapting such knowledge to recurring and/or unprecedented assignments both orally and in writing, using a variety of formats.
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of NSF’s mission, vision, science policy, program activities, initiatives, and functions sufficient to advise senior management officials on multiple aspects of activities.
Ability to establish standards for the development and evaluation of activities through OLPA and internal directorates.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 this affidavit will only be considered for the IPA Program 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 Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
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:
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.
Your application must be submitted online and all document faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Frequently Asked Questions.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have 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.
If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-8044 for assistance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
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 this affidavit will only be considered for the IPA Program 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 Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
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:
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.
Your application must be submitted online and all document faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Frequently Asked Questions.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have 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.
If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-8044 for assistance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
