Duties

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The Associate Program Director serves in an intermediate program management role within the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supporting the administration, evaluation, and oversight of scientific and STEM-related programs. The incumbent contributes to merit review activities, proposal evaluation, portfolio management, and funding recommendation development while working collaboratively with Program Directors, external stakeholders, and organizational leadership.

Major Duties:

• Evaluate proposals and synthesize merit review outcomes to make and support programmatic recommendations.
• Participate in and support merit review panels, including reviewer engagement and analysis of panel feedback.
• Contribute to the development of funding recommendations and programmatic justifications.
• Co-manage proposal and award portfolios within assigned program areas.
• Monitor award activities and support stewardship of federal investments.
• Engage with members of the research and scientific community regarding program priorities and processes.
• Support program planning, reporting, data analysis, and cross-cutting initiatives.
• Provide guidance and support to junior staff involved in merit review operations.
• Contribute to the development of program priorities, strategic initiatives, and long-range planning efforts.
• Monitor emerging scientific trends and policies and recommend programmatic adjustments or innovations.
• Contribute to cross-functional and cross-directorate collaborations to advance NSF strategic goals.
• Provide mentorship to STEM Assistants, STEM Analysts, and support staff.
• Engages, where appropriate, with external stakeholders such as government entities, industry, and non-profit organizations to support partnership development and relationship management.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. citizen.
2. Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding.
3. Selectee may be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

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.

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

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 must have a:

1. Bachelor'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

2. Master's 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 the completion of the pertinent degree; OR

3. Doctorate degree (PhD) in an appropriate STEM field or a related professional discipline plus one 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 the completion of the pertinent 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.

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

Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.

This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the U.S. National Science Foundation.

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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.

Benefits

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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.