The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Director in the Geospace Facilities (GF) Program, in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) in Alexandria, VA. The AGS supports research that adds new understanding of the behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, magnetosphere and its interactions with the Sun. Specific programs included:
Studies of the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of earth's upper and lower atmosphere and its space environment.
Research on climate processes and variations.
Studies to understand the natural global cycles of gases and particles in earth's atmosphere.
The research programs covered by this position are located in the Geospace Section, Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Directorate for Geosciences. The section consists of these science programs: Aeronomy, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar-Terrestrial Research, and Space Weather Research, as well as the Geospace Facilities Programs are responsible for managing major upper atmospheric sciences activities supported by the Foundation.
Geospace Facilities- The Geospace Facilities Program promotes basic research on the structure and dynamics of the Earth's upper atmosphere through the support of several large incoherent-scatter radar facilities. The radars are located at widely distributed sites throughout North and South America, including Alaska, Northern Canada, Puerto Rico, and Peru, as well as in Greenland. Each of the incoherent scatter facilities is also equipped with powerful optical and electromagnetic diagnostics instruments. Research efforts utilizing these facilities have strong links to the Geospace Section science programs: Aeronomy, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar-terrestrial Research, and Space Weather Research.
The incumbent of this position serves as a recognized authority in the area of experimental space physics and aeronomy. More information about AGS may be found at https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=AGS
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Director in the Geospace Facilities (GF) Program, in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) in Alexandria, VA. The AGS supports research that adds new understanding of the behavior of the Earth's atmosphere, magnetosphere and its interactions with the Sun. Specific programs included:
Studies of the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of earth's upper and lower atmosphere and its space environment.
Research on climate processes and variations.
Studies to understand the natural global cycles of gases and particles in earth's atmosphere.
The research programs covered by this position are located in the Geospace Section, Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, Directorate for Geosciences. The section consists of these science programs: Aeronomy, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar-Terrestrial Research, and Space Weather Research, as well as the Geospace Facilities Programs are responsible for managing major upper atmospheric sciences activities supported by the Foundation.
Geospace Facilities- The Geospace Facilities Program promotes basic research on the structure and dynamics of the Earth's upper atmosphere through the support of several large incoherent-scatter radar facilities. The radars are located at widely distributed sites throughout North and South America, including Alaska, Northern Canada, Puerto Rico, and Peru, as well as in Greenland. Each of the incoherent scatter facilities is also equipped with powerful optical and electromagnetic diagnostics instruments. Research efforts utilizing these facilities have strong links to the Geospace Section science programs: Aeronomy, Magnetospheric Physics, Solar-terrestrial Research, and Space Weather Research.
The incumbent of this position serves as a recognized authority in the area of experimental space physics and aeronomy. More information about AGS may be found at https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=AGS
The responsibilities of the Program Director in AGS includes long-range planning and budget development for program or program cluster, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, the continual evaluation and oversight funded projects, preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in the research supported, and coordination and partnership with other programs in NSF, other Federal agencies and organizations. Additional duties and responsibilities includes:
PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
The Program Director:
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.
Incorporate cross-directorate responsibilities into program administration.
Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size, diversity, 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 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
The Program Director:
Represents the Program, Division 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 functional teams from 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 papers, and budget plans.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Program Director:
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 responsibilities.
Preview questions at bottom of Qualifications & Evaluations.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.
Please preview "Evaluations" section and "Qualifications" for additional requirements and Quality Ranking Factors.
Qualifications
The incumbent of this position serves as a recognized authority in the area of geospace facilities, physical science, physics, geospace sciences, or a relevant discipline (including, but not limited to, astronomy, geophysics, atmospheric science, and electrical engineering).
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in atmospheric, geospace sciences, or physics plus after award of the Ph.D. six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or management experience pertinent to the position.
The successful applicant should demonstrate not only knowledge in atmospheric or geospace science but also a commitment to high scientific standards, considerable breadth of scientific interest and receptivity to new ideas. Also necessary are a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity and ethics, decisiveness, and an ability effectively to lead individuals and teams across a variety of institutional cultures within Federal and state government agencies, legislative bodies, and private sector organizations.
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 in the bargaining unit.
Relocation expenses may be paid subject to funds availability.
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.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
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
Knowledge and understanding of the mission and goals of the National Science Foundation (NSF) as well as how NSF interacts with the scientific community.
Demonstrated ability to cooperate and work with peers in other scientific disciplines and to advocate program plans and policies to individuals in the Foundation, other government agencies, and academic institutions.
Ability to organize, implement and manage a proposal-driven grant program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of goals, including ensuring integrity and consistency in the grant award/decline management process.
Demonstrated ability to provide intellectual leadership to achieve results that significantly enhance the strength and potential of the national geospace science research community
Proven expertise in managing research-related projects and/or programs, including strategic planning, development of budgets and schedules, resource management, identification and mitigation of risk, and program evaluation.
Demonstrated research, analytical, and technical writing skills that evidence the ability to perform extensive inquiry into a wide range of significant issues related to research programs and facilities and make recommendations based on findings.
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.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
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 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.
We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
You can fax or upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@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 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.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Esienhower Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
United States
Next steps
Shortly after the announcement closes, you will be notified as to whether or not you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you do, you will receive further consideration and evaluation. If the position is in the bargaining unit, and your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews for positions not in the bargaining unit may be conducted at the discretion of the selecting official. All qualified applicants will receive final notification of the outcome of the job opportunity announcement.
You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website or by tweeting @NSF_Vacancies.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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.
We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
You can fax or upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@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 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.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Esienhower Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
United States
Next steps
Shortly after the announcement closes, you will be notified as to whether or not you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you do, you will receive further consideration and evaluation. If the position is in the bargaining unit, and your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews for positions not in the bargaining unit may be conducted at the discretion of the selecting official. All qualified applicants will receive final notification of the outcome of the job opportunity announcement.
You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website or by tweeting @NSF_Vacancies.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
