Physical Science Administrator (Program Director)

Summary
The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for a Physical Science Administrator (Program Director) position for the Antarctic Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (AOAS) Program, in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP) Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) in Alexandria, VA.
For more information on GEO please click here.
For more information on OPP please click here.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.
Duties
The Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) supports cutting-edge research that (1) expands fundamental knowledge of the Antarctic region and the natural laboratory it represents across a range of disciplines, (2) improves understanding of interactions between the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region and the Earth system, and (3) utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic continent as an observing platform. The ANT Antarctic Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (AOAS) supports field, laboratory, remote sensing, and modeling projects that aim to increase understanding of the history and dynamics of the Antarctic ice sheets, sea ice and ice shelves. The U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean with logistics provided by OPP's Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section (AIL).
The AOAS Program Director manages the AOAS sciences proposal-driven research portfolio, communicates with the scientific community and funding partners, and interacts with colleagues throughout NSF. The AOAS Program Director manages the proposal merit review process, coordinating as needed with Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) for field-based projects, other programs in the Antarctic and Arctic sections of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and across NSF, and other funding agencies and international partners to achieve program goals. NSF Program Directors are primarily responsible 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. They are also responsible for service to NSF-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF's strategic goals to: (1) Empower STEM talent to fully participate in science and engineering; (2) Create new knowledge about our universe, the world and ourselves; (3) Benefit society by translating knowledge into solutions; and (4) Excel at NSF operations and management.
Applicants are not required to have had prior Antarctic or polar experience to be considered for this position. However, the incumbent must demonstrate experience leading sea-going research programs or demonstrate experience managing a similar sized research and ship-focused portfolio for another federal agency. This can include experience in one or more of the research areas described above.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
A. Management

1. Manages the merit review process for the AOAS Program in accordance with NSF policies and develop recommendations for awards based on reviewer advice, knowledge of the research proposed, and appropriate regard for program balance.
2. Provides leadership on the science priorities and specifications for the AOAS program, including significant infrastructure such as the next Antarctic Research Vessel.
3. Serves as a conduit between the science community and NSF.
4. Oversees NSF-funded Antarctic science projects and facilities within the AOAS portfolio.

B. Planning

1. Leads and facilitates research community activities to develop long-range scientific plans for ocean and atmospheric science research in the Antarctic with awareness for the total scope and nature of polar research activities, the resources available or required, including crewed and uncrewed ships, and the national and international interests to be served. Be an agent for change when improvement, innovation, or redirection of activities is warranted.
2. Develops educational and other initiatives to promote diversity in the AOAS Program.
3. Works with other Section and Office managers to plan and implement Antarctic field projects and ensure efficient utilization of resources by projects deployed to Antarctica.

C. Coordination

1. Represents the AOAS Program on national and international scientific committees having a related scientific purview.
2. Serves as the focal point for the coordination of program plans related to AOAS with other NSF programs, other Federal agencies, and with other nations' Antarctic programs.
3. Serves on NSF committees and working groups, as required.

D. Deployment

1. Essential to duties of this position is deployment as NSF Science Representative to Antarctica for periods of several weeks each year. This requires that the Program Director be cleared medically for remote deployment.
2. As part of annual Antarctic deployment, the incumbent reviews field programs and evaluates existing support modes and practices to streamline science support requirements and improve science support infrastructure for research across all research areas supported by the Antarctic Sciences Section.

Requirements
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.
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a physical examination according to U.S. Antarctic Program medical and dental standards for extended summer deployment to Antarctica.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in an appropriate field (see below), plus after award of the Ph.D. six or more years of relevant experience pertinent to the position; OR a Masters' degree in an appropriate field, plus after award of the Master's degree, eight or more years of experience pertinent to the position that demonstrates progressively increasing level of responsibility.
Appropriate fields are atmospheric science, ocean science or a closely related discipline. Relevant experience includes research, research administration/management, and/or science/research/facilities support and logistics planning
A commitment to high scientific standards, considerable breadth of scientific interest and receptivity to new ideas. Also necessary are a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity and ethics, decisiveness, and an ability to effectively lead individuals and teams across a variety of institutional cultures within Federal and state government agencies, legislative bodies, and private sector organizations. Applicants are not required to have had prior Antarctic or polar experience to be considered for this position. However, applicants must demonstrate a robust glaciological or closely related research program or demonstrate experience managing a similar portfolio for another federal agency.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
Additional information
Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.
It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions
This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility 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.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
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.

• Benefits
  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, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. 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

1. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and theories relevant to Antarctic Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences as evidenced by publications, invited talks, and/or other professional experience.
2. Proven expertise in managing large research-related projects and/or programs, including strategic planning, development of budgets and schedules, resource management, identification and mitigation of risk, and program evaluation.
3. Professional bearing, strong interpersonal communication skills, and ability to present and convincingly defend program policies and plans to peers, the science community, representatives of other federal agencies, foreign national programs, managers of related organizations, and senior managers in NSF.
4. Demonstrated research, analytical and technical writing skills that evidence the ability to manage an externally-reviewed proposal-driven grants program and to perform extensive inquiry into a wide variety of significant issues and make recommendations and decisions based on findings.
5. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage cross-disciplinary research programs and education and training opportunities for a diverse community of undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

• Benefits
  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.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
  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.
  You are strongly encouraged to upload a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
  Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. 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.
  All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM...