This position is for a Physical Scientist (Program Director) for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) at the National Science Foundation.
This position is for a Physical Scientist (Program Director) for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS) within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) at the National Science Foundation.
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.
AGS funds research and facilities to add new understanding to the behavior of the Earth's atmosphere and its interactions with the sun. Specific research areas supported by AGS include:
- 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.
AGS supports the atmospheric and related sciences community with a portfolio of cutting-edge community observing facilities and instrumentation, and through the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), an NSF Federally Funded Research and Development Center based in Boulder, Colorado. NCAR's community models, aircraft, observing facilities, computing infrastructure and broader impacts programs collectively support many thousands of researchers in the atmospheric and related sciences. The scientific oversight of NCAR is the responsibility of the AGS division, with leadership, oversight and program management provided by the AGS NCAR and Facilities Section (NFS). NFS also supports the University of Wyoming King Air research platform, a number of use requestable smaller facilities through the Community Instruments and Facilities (CIF) solicitation, and programs in education and the promotion of diversity.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
The NCAR Program Officer will work closely with other program officers in AGS and throughout NSF, the incumbent will participate in the programmatic oversight, management and planning associated with the cooperative agreement under which NCAR is managed and operated. The incumbent will also perform program management activities associated with the Section's other facilities, education, and cross-cutting programs. All members of NFS interact with members of the NSF Large Facilities Office (LFO) on matters pertaining to the management of NSF Major Facilities. Specific duties will include:
Undertake long-range planning and budget development for AGS's funding of NCAR and the section's other programs.
Manage and oversee cross-cutting programs such as Unidata, Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS), and education/outreach initiatives.
Review and evaluate NCAR program and strategic plans to ensure that they align with the needs of the atmospheric and related science community and AGS priorities.
Manage reviews and other evaluations of NCAR programs, facilities, and management.
Review and evaluate proposed infrastructure and facilities projects. Provide programmatic oversight of funded projects, ensuring compliance with relevant federal policies and regulations and scientific requirements.
In collaboration with colleagues in the NCAR and Facilities section and elsewhere in NSF, develop solicitations and other competition material for the programs, education, and other activities. Manage proposal review, ensuring a rigorous and fair process with appropriate participation by members of underrepresented groups.
Serve as a primary liaison between GEO/AGS and NCAR management and staff.
Establish Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements between NSF and other Federal agencies as needed to support collaborative activities.
Undertake other program officer responsibilities as needed.
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after award of the degree, OR a Master's degree in an appropriate field plus eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after award of the degree.
Appropriate fields include Atmospheric Sciences, Geospace Sciences, Earth System Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Facilities Operations, Management, or a closely related field. Relevant experience includes research, research administration/management, and/or science/research/facilities support and logistics planning.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
Additional information
Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.
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 & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions
This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
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.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
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. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. 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 knowledge and understanding of the mission and goals of the National Science Foundation (NSF), how NSF interacts with the scientific community, and the role of NCAR as an NSF Federally Funded Research and Development Center in supporting the atmospheric and related sciences community.
Proven expertise in managing large research-related projects and/or programs, including strategic planning, development of budgets and schedules, resource management, identification and mitigation of risk, and program evaluation.
Proven expertise in financial management and oversight associated with contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
Demonstrated ability to cooperate and work effectively across organizational boundaries.
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 scientific centers and facilities and make recommendations based on findings.
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage cross-disciplinary research programs, including cyberinfrastructure programs, and education and training opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
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.
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
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 upload 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. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
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.
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
- Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
-If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
- As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
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.
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
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 upload 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. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
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.
Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
- Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
-If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
- As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
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.
