Summary

This position is for the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy in the Office of the Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

Duties

The Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (OCRSSP) identifies risks to the U.S. research enterprise and develops research security policy and best practices to address and mitigate those risks. The CRSSP leads the office and serves as the Foundation's principal advisor to the Director, Deputy Director, and Chief Science Officer on all aspects of research security. The CRSSP provides executive leadership and agency-wide strategic direction to protect the integrity and security of NSF-supported research while enabling secure and responsible international scientific collaboration. The incumbent directs the formulation, coordination, and implementation of NSF research security policies applicable to the NSF workforce, awardee institutions, and the broader research community. The CRSSP leads NSF's engagement with other federal agencies, the scientific community, and international counterparts on research security strategy and policy, and represents the Foundation in congressional engagements, interagency policy deliberations, professional meetings, and international forums, including relevant National Science Technology Council and White House research and technology protection activities.

In leading OCRSSP, the incumbent directs the office's personnel, resources, and contractor-supported activities. The CRSSP establishes office priorities, sets performance expectations, and ensures accountability for mission delivery.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Subject to a 1-year SES probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Must file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:

• Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back.
• FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation).
• SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information).

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your 2-page resume. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. A sample 2-page resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16-17).

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

• TQ 1: Demonstrated expertise in international and domestic aspects of research security, including coordinating with multiple organizations, understanding national security considerations for research protection, and engaging effectively with high-level officials across federal agencies, research institutions, and major scientific professional organizations.
• TQ 2: Broad understanding of universities and other institutions of higher education, including large non-profit consortia, where STEM research is conducted in international collaborations.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

Additional information

The Senior Executive Service (SES) covers managerial positions above GS-15 in the Federal Service. Persons appointed to the SES are eligible for health benefits, life insurance, social security, Federal retirement and thrift savings plan coverage, and participate in the Federal leave system. Competitive status is not required, and there are no grade restrictions.

Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.

The selected candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

U.S citizenship is required.

Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: The Agency structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Agency.

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.