The National Science Foundation has multiple multidisciplinary openings for Science Assistants, to serve as a vital scientific and administrative support function to NSF's scientific directorates. These positions are being filled under an "Application Pool" process. Normally multiple vacancies are filled depending on an applicant's educational/work experience background in disciplines such as: Education, Biology, Social Science, Math, Computer Science, Physical Science, and Engineering.
Summary
The National Science Foundation has multiple multidisciplinary openings for Science Assistants, to serve as a vital scientific and administrative support function to NSF's scientific directorates. These positions are being filled under an "Application Pool" process. Normally multiple vacancies are filled depending on an applicant's educational/work experience background in disciplines such as: Education, Biology, Social Science, Math, Computer Science, Physical Science, and Engineering.
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information
Conduct analyses and provide reports and related presentations of information on the Division's (or Office's) scientific programs.
Provide scientific input to relevant aspects of the merit review process, including developing solicitations; reading proposals for responsiveness to the solicitation and preliminary grouping of proposals.
Attend panel meetings and provide feedback on completeness of panel summaries and/or minutes of the scientific discussion.
Provide assistance to program officers and division management in overseeing scientific progress on awards, including working with principal investigators and program officers to collect high quality, scientifically accurate highlights and results.
Develop data and report on scientific portfolios for Committees of Visitors and other results-oriented activities.
Provide assistance to Division (or Office) management in enhancing interactions with the scientific community, including interactions with Advisory Committees.
Participate in outreach meetings, including activities with schools and interacts with relevant elements of the National Academies.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
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
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement Safer Federal Workforce Task Force 2 pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.
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.
Please preview "Evaluations" section and "Qualifications" for additional requirements and Quality Ranking Factors.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited institution leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in the sciences, engineering, or management. Applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree in the sciences or engineering fields. Transcripts must be upload or faxed using a fax cover sheet prior to the closing date of the vacancy in order to be eligible for the position.
To be included on an applicant referral list you must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
Education
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited institution leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in the sciences, engineering, or management (or, for temporary positions in the Office of the General Counsel, a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields and acceptance by an accredited law school).
Additional information
Relocation expenses will NOT be paid.
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.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
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.
Candidates will be evaluated based on the relevance of their academic degree(s) to the primary discipline of the position being filled. To preview questions please click here. Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.
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.
All applicants must submit resume of their choice and transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable).
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.
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.
Your application must be submitted online and all document uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. Since referrals may occur prior to the closing date, we urge you to submit all required documents as soon as possible; you cannot be referred until you have submitted a complete application package. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS INCLUDE: A RESUME AND TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable).
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 Applicant Guide.
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) 292-5090 assistance. 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.
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.
Referrals of applications will be made as requests are received. Applicant referrals will commence on or after (insert date). Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and to submit their school transcripts along with their application in order to be referred once requests are received. If transcripts are not received by the time of a request, the applicant will not be eligible for that particular request, but may be eligible for later requests depending on when their transcripts are received. Applications received by the closing date of this announcement will continue to be considered for up to 90 days after the closing date. Failure to answer all of the job related questions may result in your application not being considered.
NOTE: NSF Science Assistants are only eligible to serve a single two-year appointment.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Eisenhower Ave
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. 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
Applicants should click ‘Track this Application’ in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants must submit resume of their choice and transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable).
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.
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.
Your application must be submitted online and all document uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. Since referrals may occur prior to the closing date, we urge you to submit all required documents as soon as possible; you cannot be referred until you have submitted a complete application package. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS INCLUDE: A RESUME AND TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable).
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 Applicant Guide.
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) 292-5090 assistance. 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.
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.
Referrals of applications will be made as requests are received. Applicant referrals will commence on or after (insert date). Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and to submit their school transcripts along with their application in order to be referred once requests are received. If transcripts are not received by the time of a request, the applicant will not be eligible for that particular request, but may be eligible for later requests depending on when their transcripts are received. Applications received by the closing date of this announcement will continue to be considered for up to 90 days after the closing date. Failure to answer all of the job related questions may result in your application not being considered.
NOTE: NSF Science Assistants are only eligible to serve a single two-year appointment.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
2415 Eisenhower Ave
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. 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
Applicants should click ‘Track this Application’ in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
