Program Director Job Announcement Number: E20080108-Rotator

Job Description

Job Summary:

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 50 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.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency’s overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation’s technical strength, security, and welfare. To fulfill this responsibility requires not only knowledge in the appropriate disciplines, but also a commitment to high standards, a considerable breadth of interest and receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Play an important role in shaping the direction of future research and education in your discipline by:

Serving as the liaison to your scientific community on behalf of NSF, and as your community’s representative to the Federal government.

Communicating with members of your scientific community about what you and they envision, identifying new directions and trends in your field, and working with colleagues to help push the vision forward and shape the leading edge of science.

Developing ideas for new workshops and/or solicitations which take advantage of new technologies and new interdisciplinary linkages.

Selecting top researchers and experts for the peer review process, and managing proposal review at all junctures, including orchestrating advisory panels, sending proposals out for external review, ensuring compliance with NSF regulations and procedures, and communicating with potential principal investigators and awarded grantees.

Making funding decisions and recommending awards to the most worthy proposals, ensuring that those funded reflect a diverse range of scientific opportunities and have strong broader impacts (e.g., advancing discovery and understanding; promoting teaching, and learning; broadening participation of underrepresented groups; enhancing infrastructure for research and education).

Participating in NSF-wide and interagency meetings, coordinating groups, conferences, special task groups, and other initiatives to collaborate with peers and experts across disciplines, Federal and state agencies, and private-sector organizations.

SALARY RANGE: 98,033.00 - 152,775.00 USD per year

BENEFITS:

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro Station in Arlington, Virginia, a few blocks from Route 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Some of the benefits offered by the NSF include the following:

Flexible working hours

Telecommuting

Physical Fitness Facility on site

NSF Federal Credit Union on site

Health Services Unit on site

Employee Assistance Progam

Position Information: This vacancy announcement covers a variety of professional disciplines. One application is sufficient to apply for any position being filled through this announcement.

OTHER INFORMATION:

These positions will be filled by the following options: (1) a one to two year Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) appointment, (2) a one to three year Federal temporary appointment or (3) a one to two year assignment under the provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment (assignment may extend for up to four years). Federal Temporary and VSEE appointments will be made under the excepted authority of the NSF Act with a current salary range of $98,033 to $152,775. When an IPA assignee’s annualized academic salary is below the minimum of the Federal rate of pay ($98,033) for the Program Director position, supplemental pay is provided for the difference. When an IPA assignee’s annualized academic salary exceeds the maximum Federal rate of pay ($152,775), the Federal rate of pay for the Program Director position will be used to calculate the rate of pay for the summer.

Visiting Scientist Engineer and Educator Appointments:

You will be on a non-pay leave status from your home institution and appointed to NSF’s payroll as a Federal employee. NSF withholds Social Security taxes and provides reimbursement to your home institution for fringe benefits.

Additional information on Visiting Scientist appointments can be found at the following link: http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/vsee.jsp.

Federal Temporary Appointments:

Federal temporary appointments are limited to 3 years. The usual civil service benefits (retirement, health, and life insurance) are applicable for Federal temporary appointments of more than one year.

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignments:

Under the provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act, you will continue on the payroll of your home institution and the home institution will continue to administer your pay and benefits. NSF reimburses your home institution for NSF’s negotiated share of the cost of the assignment. Individuals eligible for IPA assignments include employees of State and local government agencies, institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers and qualified nonprofit organizations.

Additional information on IPA assignments can be found at the following link: http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/ipa.jsp.

Job Requirements

You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in a scientific discipline supported by NSF. In addition, you must have six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the program.

You will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the specific duties of the position(s) for which you are being considered.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your CV (or resume) may be electronically submitted to rotatorinventory@nsf.gov; please put your name in the subject line of the email transmitting your CV. Only one application is required for all positions being filled under this talent inventory announcement. There is no need to submit other documents at this time. If required, we will request additional information from you after we receive your CV.

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey Form found at http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/forms/fm1232.doc. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do NOT include your social security number or birth date on your resume.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Lindsey Boswell
Phone: 703 292-4350
TDD: 703-292-8044
Email: rotatorinventory@nsf.gov

Or write:
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 315
Arlington, VA 22230
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You will receive an email to acknowledge receipt of your resume, usually within five days. If additional information is required, it will be requested via email.