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Interdisciplinary (Antarctic Research Support Manager)

National Science Foundation
Office of Polar Programs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The National Science Foundation is seeking a qualified candidate for an Interdisciplinary (Antarctic Research Support Manager) position for the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section within the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP) in Alexandria, VA.

For more information on GEO please click here.

For more information on OPP please click here.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/19/2024 to 09/04/2024
Salary
$169,430 to - $204,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 4
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Alexandria, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
OPP-24-12440564
Control number
805363700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

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The management and funding of the United States Antarctic Program is the responsibility of the National Science Foundation. In addition to funding and planning the scientific program, the Office of Polar Programs is responsible for management of the logistics support to ensure that the scientific objectives can be met in an orderly and efficient manner. The Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) Section of the Office of Polar Programs is organized to fulfill these logistics functions both at NSF headquarters and in the field. The position of the Antarctic Research Support Manager is an important part of the Research Support Organization.

The incumbent is responsible for the planning, development, and coordination of operational support plans for over one hundred scientific projects that annually take place on the continent of Antarctica and on research vessels in the Southern Ocean.

As part of his/her duties, the incumbent annually oversees the evaluation of logistics and science support requirements associated with science proposals.

After award, the Antarctic Research Support Manager works with support contractors and colleagues across the NSF and with other Government agencies to develop annual and multi-year plans for support of the research in Antarctica.

A good working knowledge of science support techniques and technologies is required, including but are not limited to, aircraft and surface logistics, marine research, field laboratory systems, data processing, and communications.

The incumbent consults with other government agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, NASA, and/or NOAA concerning USAP capabilities that may have application to other agencies missions.

The Antarctic Research Support Manager actively participates in the development and management of the multi-million dollar budgets for the civilian support contractor.

The incumbent is expected to serve as the Contracting Officers Technical Representative and Program Manager on support contracts in AIL as assigned, to help develop solicitation packages for new contracts, and to serve as a technical expert in evaluating bids in areas of technical development and science support.


Principal Duties and Responsibilities in Antarctica

He/she will be required to deploy to Antarctica to coordinate the support of the field and marine projects. Occasionally acts as the National Science Foundation's Representative at those stations in Antarctica. When in this position the incumbent is responsible for operational aspects of the integrated U.S. program in Antarctica in accordance with the promulgated plans for the season. The incumbent will also be responsible for the on-site monitoring and oversight of national and program policies in Antarctica, including research vessels in the Southern Ocean. These deployments
normally last from 0.5 to 2.5 months.

Coordinates and helps make adjustments to established priorities for support among science and NSF contractor projects,

Tasks both the contractors and military support personnel in carrying out the operational support plan to ensure successful field support. Reports to NSF/OPP any instances where the operational management is not making a reasonable effort to fulfill the objectives of the U.S. Antarctic Program.

Works closely with the U.S. Science Representative(s) in Antarctica and with science Program Officers inside and outside of NSF as well as scientists working in Antarctica, evaluating their changing program needs and adjusting field and marine support so that the intended scientific work can be completed effectively.

Advises the OPP and supporting contractors and support units, on the progress of science support, of current program plans, requirements and problems, and future needs. Assists in the dissemination of information about the U.S. Antarctic Program to visitors, including members of Congress or other senior government officials, members of the press and public information media, tourists, and others having an interest in Antarctica and having the occasion to visit it.

Implements regulations in conservation and land management, ensures the compliance with permits issued for collecting biological specimens, and other regulatory measures affecting personnel working in Antarctica under grants from the National Science Foundation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination according to standards used for USAP medical/dental screening for travel to Antarctica.

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master's degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

Appropriate fields include Biological Sciences, General Engineering, Physics, Geophysics, Geology or Oceanography.

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

Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination according to standards used for USAP medical/dental screening for travel to Antarctica.

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.

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

  1. Knowledge and understanding of remote logistics, research support, and project management as demonstrated by work experience or participation in field and/or marine research activities.
  2. Ability to plan, develop, and coordinate operational resources that provide support to NSF research programs funded through an externally reviewed proposal-driven grants program. Includes the ability to oversee the annual evaluation of field science support requirements for proposed and funded research project support for the U.S. Antarctic Program.
  3. Understanding of budgeting, long range planning, and management of external contractors to effectively support research activities.
  4. Ability to interact effectively with members of the scientific community, representatives of other Federal agencies, representatives of foreign national Antarctic programs, and peers to effectively present, advocate, and advance program policies, plans and goals.
  5. Ability to coordinate and manage complex logistical operations and to act as senior representative for U.S. operations in Antarctica during field deployments.

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