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Duties

Responsibilities of this program director include working across Programs in the Research Resources (RR) Cluster within the Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) in the Directorate for Biological Sciences. This will include, for example, long-range planning and budget development for the areas of science represented by the programs, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, the preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in research and broader impacts supported, as well as coordination and liaison with other NSF programs, Federal agencies and organizations.

Program Planning and Management

Maintain a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprises across the clusters within the Division as well as through activities across the Directorate, Foundation or with other agencies.
Manage program resources to provide optimal and appropriate judgement to insure integrity and consistency in the award/declination process without conflict of interests, and with a balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions associated with the biological sciences, and participation of all qualified scientists.
Manage an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and insuring participation by women, minorities and disabled scientists.
Advise and assist in the development of short- and long-range plans, establishing goals and objectives for research and training programs across both the RR and HR clusters as work flows require. Plan budgets for the programs considering past, present and future years, allocate resources within programs, and manage post award evaluation.

Representation, Communication and Leadership

Represent the Programs, Division and Foundation within the scientific and education/training communities, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organization, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policies and positions.
Create and maintain linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.
Participate in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to Program areas and/or Division priorities.
Pursue affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity goals.
Pursue and/or be 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.
Contribute ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission. Develop policies and plans for strengthening research and education programs across the RR and HR clusters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Background investigation.
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

Applicants should have a Ph.D. or equivalent in Biology, plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, leadership, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position. A broad understanding of the disciplinary areas of the Biological Sciences is desired, as well as a knowledge of the general scientific community, skill in oral and written communication and preparation of technical reports, and at least six years of successful independent research normally expected of the academic rank of associate professor or higher. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated leadership and experience working with biological informatics, scientific natural history collections and/or collections data and infrastructure. Also desirable is knowledge and/or experience in software development for biological informatics, data management, and visualization and imaging standards and practices especially with respect to collections, digitization, as well as other types of research resources supported by the Division.

Some administrative experience and experience working in teams is desirable. Appointees are expected to function effectively both with specific programs and as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams. Skills in multidisciplinary research are highly desirable.

This position 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 will be paid, contingent upon availability of funds.

For additional information on the NSF eRecruit system, please visit our NSF eRecruit Frequently Asked Questions.

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 of NSF's and DBI's mission and programmatic activities.
Ability to manage a range of proposal-driven grant programs, allocating resources to meet a broad spectrum of program goals.
Demonstrated research, collaborative, and leadership experience and accomplishments in working with various communities from undergraduate research, postdoctoral training, biological informatics and data management, scientific natural history collections and/or collections data across disciplinary, organizational and national boundaries.
Ability to communicate with a broad range of audiences from STEM researchers and educators to decision makers to the general public.

To preview questions please click here.

Required Documents

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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:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

Help

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.

Agency contact information

Anja Lindsley

Phone: 703-292-4396
TDD: 703-292-8044
Fax: 000-000-000
Email: alindsle@nsf.gov

Address: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Eisenhower 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.

Required Documents

Help

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:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

Help

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.

Agency contact information

Anja Lindsley

Phone: 703-292-4396
TDD: 703-292-8044
Fax: 000-000-000
Email: alindsle@nsf.gov

Address: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Eisenhower 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.