Geologist (Program Director) AD-1350-04, GEO/EAR (Closes: 9/30/2013)

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 would include geochemistry, petrology, economic geology, and/or volcanology.  In addition, familiarity with the NASA planetary science programs is highly desirable.

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date of the job announcement. 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 or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.

Quality Ranking Factors 

Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and theories applicable to geology as demonstrated by publications, invited talks, and/or professional recognition. Ability to manage an externally reviewed proposal driven grants program, through the evaluation of research and educational activities, and the allocating of resources to meet a spectrum of program goals. Professional analytical and technical writing skills which evidence experience in presentation of extensive inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues related to the Earth science community and make recommendations and decisions based on findings. Ability to recognize and formulate programmatic plans that respond to emerging areas of research. Ability to interact effectively with members of the Earth scientific community, representatives of other federal agencies, foreign national programs and peers to effectively present, advocate and advance program policies, plans and goals. Knowledge of NSF's and EAR's mission and programmatic activities.Ability to work effectively in a team setting in pursuit of program goals and objectives.
To preview questions please click here.

View the original article here

Program Director, Hydrologic Sciences Program, Division of Earth Sciences, GEO, AD-1350-04 (Closes: 2/3/2014)

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 60 years, the National Science Foundation (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.

The position of Program Director for Hydrologic Sciences Program (HS) is in the Surface Earth Processes (SEP) Section within the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO). EAR administers programs in support of basic research, facilities, and a wide spectrum of other scientific activities. Programs are devoted to increasing basic knowledge of the structure and evolution of the Earth, and supports research on a complex interplay of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes. More information about EAR programs can be found here.

The Hydrologic Sciences program supports theoretical observational, and experimental research and modeling of water processes including precipitation and evapotranspiration, snow accumulation and melting, overland and channel flow/transport, subsurface (vadose zone, aquifers) flow, biogeochemical reactions and chemical fate and transport. Subfields encompassed by HS include: hydrometeorology, ecohydrology, aquatic geochemistry, erosion and sedimentation, solute flow and transport, flood analysis, low flows and drought, snow, wetlands and lakes. The program also interacts and cooperates with programs in geomorphology and land use dynamics, low temperature geochemistry, ecosystems, meteorology, atmospheric sciences, climate dynamics, environmental engineering and others on projects of mutual interest. The HS program is also active in the critical zone observatory program and a systems approach to surface Earth processes through Frontiers of Earth Systems Dynamics, Water Sustainability and Climate and the Integrated Earth Systems programs.

View the original article here

Social Scientist (Program Director in the Law and Social Sciences Program), AD-0101-04 (Closes: 2/25/2014)

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 60 years, the National Science Foundation (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.

The National Science Foundation is seeking a candidate for a Program Director position in the Law and Social Sciences (LSS) Program within the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES), Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE).

SES supports research to develop and advance scientific knowledge focusing on economic, legal, political and social systems, organizations and institutions. In addition, SES supports research on the intellectual and social contexts that govern the development and use of science and technology. SES programs consider proposals that fall squarely within disciplines, but they also encourage and support interdisciplinary projects, which are evaluated through joint review among Programs in SES, as well as joint review with programs in other Divisions, and NSF-wide multi-disciplinary panels, as appropriate.

More information about SES programs, including the LSS Program can be found here.

View the original article here

Biological Science Administrator (Program Director), Division of Biological Infrastructure, Directorate for Biological Sciences, AD-0401-04 (Closes: 1/13/2014)

The responsibilities of the NSF Program Director are constantly evolving. The 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 U.S. 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.

Responsibilities of the Program Director include, for example, long-range planning and budget development for the areas of science represented by the program or program cluster, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, the preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in the research supported, and coordination and liaison with other programs in NSF, other Federal agencies and organizations.

Additional duties and responsibilities include the following:

PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities. Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to insure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflicts of interest, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and insuring participation by women, minorities and disabled scientists.Provides scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, and other research programs, and cross-directorate programs.Advises and assists in the development of short-and-long range plans, establishing goals and objectives for support of research programs. Plans the budget for the program considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among competitive projects, and manages post-award evaluation.Controls waste, fraud and abuse. REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP Represents the Program, Division and the Foundation within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organizations, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions.Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.Participates in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to program area and/or Division.Pursues affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) goals.Pursues and/or is responsive to assignment on special projects and temporary function teams across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs.Contributes ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission. Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward NSF goals, trends and opportunities papers, and budget plans.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities.Maintains familiarity with salient current research developments. Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit.Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management.

View the original article here

Science Assistant (Multi-Disciplinary), AD-01 (Closes: 12/2/2013)

To qualify for this position, candidates must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited institution leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in the sciences, engineering, or management. Applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree in the sciences or engineering fields. Transcripts must be upload or faxed using a fax cover sheet prior to the closing date of the vacancy in order to be eligible for the position.
To be included on an applicant referral list you must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited institution leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in the sciences, engineering, or management (or, for temporary positions in the Office of the General Counsel, a bachelor's degree in one of these fields and acceptance by an accredited law school).

To be included on an applicant referral list you must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
You will be required to provide proof of education from an accredited institution prior to the closing date of the announcement.

Candidates will be evaluated based on the relevance of their academic degree(s) to the primary discipline of the position being filled. To preview questions please click here. Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire.  In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.

To preview questions please click here.

View the original article here

Biological Science Administrator (Program Director), Division of Biological Infrastructure, Directorate for Biological Sciences, AD-0401-04 (Closes: 1/13/2014)

The responsibilities of the NSF Program Director are constantly evolving. The 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 U.S. 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.

Responsibilities of the Program Director include, for example, long-range planning and budget development for the areas of science represented by the program or program cluster, the administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations, the preparation of press releases, feature articles and material describing advances in the research supported, and coordination and liaison with other programs in NSF, other Federal agencies and organizations.

Additional duties and responsibilities include the following:

PROGRAM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Maintains a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities. Manages program resources to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to insure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflicts of interest, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Manages an effective, timely merit review process, with attention to increasing the size and quality of the reviewer pools and insuring participation by women, minorities and disabled scientists.Provides scientific expertise, evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international programs, and other research programs, and cross-directorate programs.Advises and assists in the development of short-and-long range plans, establishing goals and objectives for support of research programs. Plans the budget for the program considering past, present and future fiscal years, allocates resources within the budget by distributing scarce resources among competitive projects, and manages post-award evaluation.Controls waste, fraud and abuse. REPRESENTATION, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP Represents the Program, Division and the Foundation within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, with other appropriate agencies and organizations, and with the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions.Creates and maintains linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission.Participates in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to program area and/or Division.Pursues affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) goals.Pursues and/or is responsive to assignment on special projects and temporary function teams across the Foundation to solve problems, improve staff communication, and effect coordination for special programs.Contributes ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission. Prepares and disseminates a variety of informational documents which may include data on progress being made toward NSF goals, trends and opportunities papers, and budget plans.PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Establishes contacts and maintains active involvement in Program and related areas through participation in professional activities.Maintains familiarity with salient current research developments. Pursues individual research as workload and travel funds permit.Expands administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management.

View the original article here