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Division Director, Division of Physics

National Science Foundation
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is for the Division Director for the Division of Physics in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

For more information about the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences:
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) | NSF - National Science Foundation

For more information about the Division of Physics:
Division of Physics (PHY) | NSF - National Science Foundation

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/17/2023 to 05/31/2023
Salary
$185,335 to - $206,950 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Alexandria, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses may be paid contingent upon availability of funds.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MPS-EXEC-2023-0001
Control number
707560000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open with the following options: Career SES and Limited Term SES. Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information. All new SES members serve a one-year probationary period. ***This position is also being advertised for appointment under the IPA authority. For more information, please click on the linked vacancy below, MPS-EXEC-2023-0002.***

Duties

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The mission of the Division of Physics (PHY) is to enable fundamental research and education across the intellectual frontiers of the field. Programs in eight subareas support research that covers a broad spectrum of energy, time, and distance scales. PHY seeks a deep understanding of processes that describe the formation and current structure of the cosmos, from elementary particles to gravitational waves, the behavior of matter at all energies where quantum effects dominate, the physical description of the living world, and the structure of atomic and molecular entities that shape and control the everyday world that we live in. PHY also supports the development of new tools and techniques needed to expand and refine our understanding within these many areas - from particle accelerators to probe physics at the energy frontier, to femtosecond lasers to probe and control atomic and molecular systems, to LIGO, a new window on the universe. The knowledge gained through basic research will ultimately have broad impact on other fields of science and on the health, economic strength, and defense of society, while the research activity itself will contribute to the formation of the Nation's advanced high-tech workforce.

The Division Director leads a team of program officers in managing a broad portfolio of investments in physics research and education. The incumbent has managerial and oversight responsibilities for the effective use of Division staff and resources in meeting organizational goals and objectives. This includes directing the activities of the Division, assessing the needs and trends in research and education related to the Division's programs, implementing overall strategic planning, and policy setting. The Division Director supervises and provides leadership and guidance to senior level PHY staff (Deputy Division Director and the Senior Advisor), PHY program officers, administrative and support personnel. The Division Director determines funding requirements, prepares and justifies budget estimates, balances program needs, allocates resources, oversees the evaluation of proposals and recommendations for awards and declinations, and represents NSF to relevant external groups. The Division Director fosters partnerships with other Divisions, Directorates, Federal agencies, scientific organizations, and the academic community.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  1. One year probationary period required for all new Career SES appointments
  2. Requires an Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure OGE-278
  3. US Citizenship or appropriate affidavit, depending on position

Qualifications

EXCUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): 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 ECQs. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as "ineligible."

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 ECQ 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 ECQ 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 ECQ 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.

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the MTQs for this vacancy. You must address each MTQ qualification separately.

1. Education, strongly preferred at the Ph.D. level, or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience, in physics or a closely related field.

2. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship in areas related to physics as evidenced by publications, innovative leadership in research administration, and professional leadership and awards in these technical areas.

3. Skill in balancing complex and diverse program demands and available resources in response to major advances or changing needs of science and engineering research and technology.

4. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where research and education in science and engineering is conducted including knowledge of grant administration and fiscal management with experience in physics research support.

When responding to the MTQ and ECQ 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 ECQs and MTQs.

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 who do not provide narrative statements addressing both the ECQ and MTQ qualifications will be rated as ineligible.

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 Core Qualifications (ECQ); but a narrative statement for each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) is required.

To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification (ECQs) statements, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Executive Qualifications.
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-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.

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.

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

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.

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