Duties

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The responsibility of the NSF 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 United States 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.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the proposal evaluation process to guarantee review integrity, developing funding recommendations based on scientific merit, agency policy, and program priorities.
• Manage assigned program portfolios by overseeing active awards, ensuring full compliance, and monitoring emerging scientific trends to make programmatic adjustments.
• Shape long-range program priorities and strategic initiatives through cross-functional and cross-directorate collaborations to advance agency-wide goals.
• Represent the agency to external academic, scientific, and research communities while building strategic partnerships with government, industry, and non-profit entities.
• Provide informal leadership, technical guidance, and professional mentorship to various levels of STEM assistants, analysts, associate program directors, and support staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

1. U.S. citizen or meets the eligibility requirements with signed affidavit.
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.

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.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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 will have demonstrated a high degree of attainment in their field of specialization and must have a:

1. Bachelor's degree in an appropriate STEM field or a related professional discipline plus nine 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 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
3. Doctorate 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 completion of the 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.

Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Candidates who do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not obtain civil service status if selected. Candidates currently in the competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected. Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health benefits, and life insurance) are applicable.

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

You are highly encouraged to address the professional skills listed above within your cover letter, which will be used to evaluate your experience, education and training as related to the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position during the review process.

You must meet eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

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

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.