This Senior Grants Policy Specialist position is located within the Financial Assistance Requirements Branch (FARB), Office of Award Management (OAM), at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This position is responsible for establishing and providing guidance on NSF financial assistance policies that are responsive to both Federal law and regulations and also meet the needs of the NSF's diverse national and international scientific programs.
Summary
This Senior Grants Policy Specialist position is located within the Financial Assistance Requirements Branch (FARB), Office of Award Management (OAM), at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This position is responsible for establishing and providing guidance on NSF financial assistance policies that are responsive to both Federal law and regulations and also meet the needs of the NSF's diverse national and international scientific programs.
As a Senior Grants Policy Specialist, your will perform the following duties:
Evaluate and implement administrative guidance from oversight agencies. Develop NSF policies and guidance based on administrative initiatives from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and other agencies, assess their impact on NSF and grantee communities, and coordinate responses to audits and public notices.
Develop, update, and interpret NSF grant policies and procedures. Plan, develop, and establish policies for proposals and awards, sets and updates standard terms and conditions for grants and cooperative agreements, and interpret legislative changes to ensure consistency across diverse organizations.
Serve as lead policy expert. Act as NSF's lead policy expert, representing the Foundation on interagency committees for the Protection of Human Subjects, and review and advise on responses to Congressional inquiries, grant terminations, disputes, and appeals.
Advise and support NSF staff and grantee community on complex grant policy issues. Provide expert advice to senior grant specialists, program officials, and grantees; analyze and evaluate complex issues; interpret and communicate NSF policies; and recommend changes to regulations and government-wide guidance.
Resolve grant program issues and develop guidance materials. Resolve issues identified in program evaluation and systems development efforts related to NSF proposal and award systems.
Conduct outreach, training, and serve as NSF's grant policy authority. Develop and deliver training programs for NSF staff and recipient organizations, maintain liaison with grants professionals, and represent NSF at meetings and conferences to provide information and guidance on grant policies.
Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
Selectee may be required to serve a 2-year trial/1-year probationary period.
Additional Requirements:
Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade/equivalent.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
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.
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.
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.
Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-14 level, you have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service developing, interpreting, and implementing complex federal grant policies and procedures, including advising senior officials and resolving issues across diverse organizations.
Examples of specialized experience may include:
Evaluating complex federal financial assistance policies, regulations, and guidance.
Analyzing legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial assistance programs.
Representing an organization in interagency policy activities.
In addition to the specialized experience, applicants must meet the Selective Placement Factor (SPF) below to be found qualified. Please ensure that the experience is identified in your resume.
I am a technical expert in developing, interpreting, implementing, or providing authoritative guidance on federal financial assistance policies, regulations, and procedures at an agency-wide or government-wide level in accordance with 2 CFR 200.
Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.
Additional information
Relocation Expenses not be paid.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
ICTAP and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least "Very Good" on the assessment. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources.
Veterans' Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference), DD-214, and official documentation of a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more or other required documentation as specified on the SF-15.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the U.S. National Science Foundation.
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.
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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and all the assessments required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
External Awareness
Grants Management
Grants Management Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
Problem Solving
Written Communication
In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this vacancy will utilize a multiple hurdle assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants.
The first hurdle will consist of a Selective Placement Factor (SPF) resume review. Qualified applicants' resumes will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel to determine if their resumes meet the SPF identified in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
The second hurdle will consist of a structured resume review. Applicants who pass the first hurdle will have their resumes reviewed by a SME panel against pre-determined evaluation criteria. This hurdle will be used to determine referral to the hiring official for consideration.
In the merit promotion selection process, formal performance appraisals may be considered if voluntarily submitted by the applicant.
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.
All applicants are required to submit a legible resume/CV that is no longer than two pages.The resume should include a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year, and indicates hours worked per week. If you are a civilian Federal employee, you should include your pay plan and grade for each applicable position.
Applicants may submit an optional cover letter.
If you are an NSF employee on or eligible for a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status.
Performance appraisals may be considered during the evaluation process if voluntarily submitted
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH, OR ANY OTHER PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
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 Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm ET 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.
US National Science Foundation, Office of Award Management
401 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
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 are required to submit a legible resume/CV that is no longer than two pages.The resume should include a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year, and indicates hours worked per week. If you are a civilian Federal employee, you should include your pay plan and grade for each applicable position.
Applicants may submit an optional cover letter.
If you are an NSF employee on or eligible for a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status.
Performance appraisals may be considered during the evaluation process if voluntarily submitted
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DATE OF BIRTH, OR ANY OTHER PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
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 Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm ET 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.
US National Science Foundation, Office of Award Management
401 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
US
Next steps
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.
