The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Advisor, Office of Strategic Initiatives position within the Directorate Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) in Alexandria, VA.
The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Senior Advisor, Office of Strategic Initiatives position within the Directorate Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) in Alexandria, VA.
This Vacancy is open to current federal employees only.
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.
The Directorate is responsible for research and education in the mathematical and physical
sciences. MPS is a complex directorate with five divisions encompassing the fields of astronomy, chemistry, materials research, mathematics, and physics, plus the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI). The five disciplinary areas represent the core intellectual foundation of science and engineering and, as a consequence, have connections to almost every other activity at NSF. The Directorate has responsibilities that range from its critical investment in the support of creative individuals and their students to complex facilities and instrumentation that push the frontiers of science and engineering.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) is a focal point in the Directorate for taking advantage of
new opportunities in research and education. Each year a few areas of emphasis are targeted for high-priority funding consideration. Past examples include investments in important research areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Information Science, sustainability science, and catalyzing new partnerships within NSF, with other agencies, and with private entities.
MAJOR DUTIES
Serves as a member of the MPS senior leadership team by consulting regularly with the five MPS Division Directors regarding OSI, participating in policy development and strategic planning for the Directorate, building broad organizational consensus, and successfully recommending, modifying and representing science policies and plans.
Plans and establishes budget request and evaluation of OSI.
Develops, coordinates and operates specified MPS activities with other governmental agencies, industry and those having international implications.
Advises Assistant Director, Deputy Assistant Director, and other directorate senior staff on cross-divisional needs and issues. Provides expert policy and advice on developing and promoting core strategies and implementation plans to facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary research and workforce development activities with MPS.
Provides advisory assistance to the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director in activities involving the review of program initiatives and major new projects, long-range plans, and major program implementation issues.
Oversees intra-MPS/interagency groups, and provides expert guidance, leadership, and representation in multidisciplinary coordination and cross-directorate partnerships.
Serves as senior policy-level resource within MPS concerning interactions with various elements of the Foundation, senior officials in other Federal agencies, Congress, the Administration, and the scientific and engineering research and academic communities.
Implements representation of under-represented minority groups, women and persons with disabilities on advisory committees, review panels, and other mechanisms through which the scientific community provides assistance to the Foundation.
Participates with MPS senior management in identifying and implementing internal controls to prevent or deter the fraud, waste and abuse of government resources and to promote responsive management in MPS programs.
Participates in professional activities to keep abreast of current research and educational trends.
As assigned by the Assistant Director, the Senior Advisor prepares and coordinates scientific briefings, reports, or meetings related to topics of strategic interest to the Directorate; develops presentation materials for the Assistant Director; and performs other duties encompassing senior-level liaison activities in support of the organization's mission.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director or per interest of the incumbent.
Your application should contain the following information:
1. Resume or other application format of your choice. Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately.
2. Narrative statement addressing your background in terms of the required qualifications and professional skills should be addressed in your cover letter. Your responses should be clear and concise and show the level of responsibility and the level of accomplishment associated with your experience.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a cover letter that describes your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. 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.
Qualifications
The incumbent must have a doctoral degree in a field supported by or closely related to MPS, plus:
Substantial research and strong evidence of scholarship and leadership in the mathematical and physical sciences or a closely related field as evidenced in publications and other professional contributions.
Ability to support the senior leadership of MPS in recommending and implementing new or modified policies and plans in scientific, fiscal, and administrative matters to improve the activities of management.
Demonstrated ability to conceptualize effectively and communicate with others regarding complex issues and ideas in a clear and concise manner.
Experience in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research areas, preferably including participation in a team research environment.
Experience in interagency interaction and outreach to the scientific community.
Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Candidates who do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not obtain civil service status if selected. Candidates currently in the competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected. Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health benefits, and life insurance) are applicable.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed to this position.
You are highly encouraged to address the following professional skills within your cover letter, which will be used to evaluate your experience, education and training as related to the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position during the review process.
You must meet eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
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 position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position.
Only applications submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position.
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.
Your application should contain the following information:
1. Resume or CV format of your choice.
Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a cover letter that describes your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. 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 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.
Your application should contain the following information:
1. Resume or CV format of your choice.
Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a cover letter that describes your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. 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 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.
