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Program Director (IPA)

National Science Foundation
Office of the Inspector General

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), National Science Foundation (NSF). The incumbent performs professional inspection, investigation, and oversight work to assess NSF programs and operations for integrity, compliance, and risk.

The position is non-supervisory, time-limited, and filled under the IPA hiring authority.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/04/2026 to 05/11/2026
Salary
$174,922 - $209,600 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 4
Location
1 vacancy 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—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Temporary - This vacancy will be filled as an IPA appointment.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
OIG-26-12952133
Control number
867701500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open for a Rotational Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment. Please see the "Additional Information" section for further information. Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Additional Information" section for further information.

Duties

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As an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Program Director, you will perform the following duties:

  • Conducts inspections, reviews, and investigative analyses of NSF programs and operations.
  • Collects and analyzes information from documents, systems, and interviews.
  • Evaluates compliance with laws, regulations, and NSF policies.
  • Identifies risks and develops recommendations.
  • Prepares reports and briefings.
  • Provides technical advice on investigative and compliance matters.
  • Coordinates with stakeholders.
  • Ensures adherence to professional standards.

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.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

Requires an Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure OGE-450.

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 of study must fall under the OPM series of 1801 - General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, And Compliance Series.

Successful candidates' experience will include experience in investigations or oversight, knowledge of compliance and risk frameworks, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work independently.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

Additional information

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option:

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement.

Salary: The salary noted above is based on the rate of pay for Federal Program Directors. The IPA assignment salary is based on the current salary at the IPA's home institution.

This is a rotator position.

NSF offers a chance for scientists, engineers, and educators to join us as temporary detailees - called rotators. As a rotator, you will be in a prime position to collaborate with others and increase your visibility as you survey the entire breadth of U.S. and international science, engineering, and education in real time. In addition, as a temporary detailee, you can retain your ties to your current institution and return to it with new insights and experience for your team.
Learn more about rotator programs at NSF

It is NSF policy that personnel employed at, or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) individuals detailed to, NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign 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.

Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. 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. Non-Citizens are not eligible for positions requiring a security clearance.

Only applications submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

National Science Foundation

Come join our talented workforce and help us keep the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) at the frontier of discovery!

NSF is on the leading edge of discovery in areas from astronomy to geology to zoology and beyond. In addition to funding research in traditional academic areas, the agency also supports innovative ideas, novel collaborations and numerous projects that may seem like science fiction today, but become the reality of tomorrow.

NSF ensures that research is fully integrated with education so that today's revolutionary work will also be training future scientists and engineers. We are also at the forefront of federal business and operations best practices, ensuring accountability and efficacy of the work we do.

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise. For over 75 years, NSF has remained the premier Federal agency supporting basic research at the frontiers of discovery across all fields, as well as science and engineering education at all levels.

Agency contact information

Talent & Acquisition Management Branch
Email
erecruit@nsf.gov
Address
National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General
401 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
US

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