The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for Program Director positions. These positions may be established within any Directorate/Office.
Please visit www.nsf.gov for more information about the Foundation.
Summary
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for Program Director positions. These positions may be established within any Directorate/Office.
Please visit www.nsf.gov for more information about the Foundation.
The responsibility of the NSF Program Director is guided by the goals of NSF's Strategic Plan: 1) enable the United States to uphold a position of world leadership in all aspects of science, mathematics, and engineering, 2) promote the discovery, integration, dissemination, and employment of new knowledge in service to society, and 3) achieve excellence in United States science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education at all levels. The core strategies NSF staff employ include developing intellectual capital, strengthening the physical infrastructure, integrating research and education, and promoting partnerships.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the proposal evaluation process to guarantee review integrity, developing funding recommendations based on scientific merit, agency policy, and program priorities.
Manage assigned program portfolios by overseeing active awards, ensuring full compliance, and monitoring emerging scientific trends to make programmatic adjustments.
Shape long-range program priorities and strategic initiatives through cross-functional and cross-directorate collaborations to advance agency-wide goals.
Represent the agency to external academic, scientific, and research communities while building strategic partnerships with government, industry, and non-profit entities.
Provide informal leadership, technical guidance, and professional mentorship to various levels of STEM assistants, analysts, associate program directors, and support staff.
U.S. citizen or meets the eligibility requirements with signed affidavit.
Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
Selectee may be required to serve a 2-year trial period.
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.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks candidates within the following scientific, engineering, educational, and analytical disciplines supported by the agency. In addition, successful candidates will have knowledge of NSF merit review processes, federal assistance principles, portfolio management, and STEM program administration, as well as the ability to analyze scientific and technical information and communicate recommendations effectively.
Individuals appointed at this level will have demonstrated a high degree of attainment in their field of specialization and must have a:
Bachelor's degree in an appropriate STEM field or a related professional discipline plus nine or more years of scientific research, research administration, merit review, and/or managerial experience that is pertinent to the position being filled and was gained after completion of the pertinent degree; or
Master's degree in an appropriate STEM field or a related professional discipline plus six or more years of scientific research, research administration, merit review, and/or managerial experience that is pertinent to the position being filled and was gained after completion of the pertinent degree; or
Doctorate degree in an appropriate STEM field or a related professional discipline plus three or more years of scientific research, research administration, merit review, and/or managerial experience that is pertinent to the position being filled and was gained after completion of the degree.
Degrees in the following fields are particularly desirable:
Social and Behavioral Sciences (0101 Series): Behavioral or social sciences and related disciplines, including economics, sociology, psychology, geography, archaeology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and other closely related fields.
Biological Sciences (0401 Series): Biological sciences and related disciplines, including microbiology, immunology, neurobiology, cell biology, bioengineering, molecular biophysics, genomics, computational biology, evolutionary biology, ecology, physiology, genetics, forestry, soil science, fish and wildlife sciences, plant and animal sciences, environmental science, and related fields.
Engineering (0801 Series): Engineering disciplines such as civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical, computer, chemical, agricultural, industrial, biomedical, biochemical, aerospace, robotics, nuclear, petroleum, mining, geological, materials, safety, and other engineering specialties.
Physical Sciences and Mathematics (1301 Series): Physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, and related fields, including physics, chemistry, geology, hydrology, geophysics, oceanography, atmospheric science, earth science, astronomy, biotechnology, materials science, environmental science, and other interdisciplinary scientific disciplines.
Mathematics and Data Sciences (1501 Series): Mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, operations research, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, data science, analytics, and related quantitative disciplines.
Education and Learning Sciences (1701 Series): Education and subject-matter disciplines relevant to STEM education, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education; curriculum and instruction; instructional systems; educational technology; learning sciences; educational leadership; training and development; and education research.
NSF also encourages applications from individuals with strong interdisciplinary backgrounds and those interested in advancing programs that span multiple science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
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 professional skills listed above 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.
If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
Additional information
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.
You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used.
You are highly encouraged to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.
Quality Ranking Factors
Experience leading scientific, research, or federal assistance programs involving proposal evaluation and funding recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to independently exercise judgment in program management, strategic planning, and resource stewardship.
Experience overseeing complex portfolios, awards, grants, or cooperative agreements in a scientific or federal environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, collaborations, or organizational efforts involving multiple stakeholders.
Experience representing an organization or program to external scientific, academic, governmental, or research communities.
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 that is no longer than two pages. In addition to the two-page resume, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be submitted as a Supplemental Application document.
Your application should contain the following information:
1. 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 using month/year (MM/YYYY), 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 Quality Ranking Factors highlighting your qualifications and professional skills should be addressed. Your responses should be clear and concise and show the level of responsibility and the level of accomplishment associated with your experience.
3. Applicants are encouraged to submit professional references as a supplemental document with their application. References will not be contacted during the initial review process and will only be contacted if requested by the hiring official as part of the selection process.
In order to be considered for federal appointments, 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.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the month and year (MM/YYYY) that each degree was obtained on your resume.
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, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. 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.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
All applicants are required to submit a legible resume that is no longer than two pages. In addition to the two-page resume, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be submitted as a Supplemental Application document.
Your application should contain the following information:
1. 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 using month/year (MM/YYYY), 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 Quality Ranking Factors highlighting your qualifications and professional skills should be addressed. Your responses should be clear and concise and show the level of responsibility and the level of accomplishment associated with your experience.
3. Applicants are encouraged to submit professional references as a supplemental document with their application. References will not be contacted during the initial review process and will only be contacted if requested by the hiring official as part of the selection process.
In order to be considered for federal appointments, 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.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the month and year (MM/YYYY) that each degree was obtained on your resume.
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, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. 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.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
