Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Assistant Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources

National Science Foundation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement has been amended to extend the closing date to October 15, 2021.

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.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/09/2021 to 10/15/2021
Salary
$174,225 to - $199,300 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
Alexandria, VA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation may be paid contingent on the availability of funds.
Appointment type
Multiple - SES career or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
00 - All new SES members serve a one-year probationary period.
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
EHR-EXEC-2021-0004
Control number
613630500

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Additional Information" section for further information.

Duties

Help

The Assistant Director (AD), Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) is responsible for the conduct of the NSF’s programs which support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and education. The AD serves as the Director’s principal advisor in matters relating to the purview of the Directorate. The AD is responsible for formulating long-range plans, annual programs and priorities, and research policy within the framework of statutory and National Science Board authority.

EHR is organized into four divisions under the leadership of Division Directors who report to the Assistant Director. The major program areas supported by the Directorate include graduate education, human resource development, research on learning in formal and informal settings, and undergraduate education. The mission of EHR is to achieve excellence in U.S. STEM education at all levels and in all settings (both formal and informal) in order to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians and educators and a well-informed citizenry that have access to the ideas and tools of science and engineering. The purpose of these activities is to enhance the quality of life of all citizens and the health, prosperity, welfare and security of the nation.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

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.

Key Requirements

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

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. or Ed.D level in STEM education, public education policy, or a STEM discipline; or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience in research and/or policy in at least one of the fields represented in the EHR Directorate (e.g., K-12, undergraduate, and/or graduate STEM education, learning in informal environments, learning sciences, STEM learning and learning environments, workforce development, broadening participation, and disciplinary STEM education.)

2. Senior management experience in academic, government, not-for-profit, and/or private sector national research and education endeavors directed at the enhancement of STEM education. Ability to establish a vision for the future of STEM education and learning.

3. Skill in building on the expertise and knowledge of researchers and educators in multiple disciplines to develop, implement, and research approaches and programs that address important cross-cutting national challenges and priorities in STEM.

4. Demonstrated knowledge of STEM education policy issues at Federal and/or state level, as related to EHR responsibilities and mission.


•    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.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.