National Science Foundation Excepted Position Vacancy ANNOUNCEMENT NO: E20060053 OPEN: 02/16/06 CLOSE: 03/17/06 THIS IS A PERMANENT POSITION. Individuals wishing to apply for a one or two year visiting scientist appointment, intergovernmental personnel act (IPA) assignment or federal temporary appointment see vacancy number E20060052-rotator. POSITION VACANT: Science Metrics Advisor, AD-4. Annual salary ranges from $91,407 to $142,449. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: Science Metrics Advisor, AD-4 LOCATION: Office of the Assistant Director, Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. RELOCATION: Expenses will be paid. BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: This position is included in the bargaining unit and will be filled in accordance with the merit staffing provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Article VIII. AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All Sources THIS POSITION IS OUTSIDE THE COMPETITIVE CIVIL SERVICE 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, life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year. Disabled veterans with 30% service-connected disabilities as well as other applicants with severe disabilities will be considered without regard to the closing date if applications are received prior to final selection. The Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) supports research, education, and infrastructure in the social, behavioral, cognitive, and economic sciences, primarily through grants to investigators at universities and other institutions. SBE also supports the collection and dissemination of statistics on the science and engineering enterprise. The goal of the new Science Metrics Program is to reach a point where the nation’s public and private sectors are able to evaluate reliably the returns they have received from past research and development (R&D) investments and to forecast, within tolerable margins of errors, likely returns from future investments in science and engineering. The Science Metrics Program will include the development of tools and research across a broad spectrum of sciences to enable policy makers to understand the implications of the choices they must make among various research programs. The Science Metrics initiative will develop an ongoing “science of science policy” and include work that allows a better understanding of the composition and growth (or decline) of the S&E workforce in the United States and abroad, and of international trends in R&D. There are currently two main research aspects of the Science Metrics program: 1) Stimulating and initiating research investments to improve and expand Science Metrics, such as enhancements and additions to existing surveys as well as the development of new survey areas where data do not now exist. This focus will also include improving the comparability, scope and availability of international data. In order to accomplish these goals, it will be necessary to reach out to the private sector as well as to academic researchers, and to coordinate domestic efforts with efforts in other nations and international agencies that address similar concerns as they seek to enhance our understanding of the globalization of science and technology. 2) Producing usable knowledge from data. Efforts in this area will include model building, the development of econometric, behavioral and other statistical tools as well as qualitative studies and tools tailored to the problem of understanding innovation and returns to science investments. Also necessary will be focused studies that bring tools and data together to yield rich understandings of how innovation occurs and why some science investments pay off while others do not. The ultimate goal will be to develop a vertically integrated understanding of the science R&D enterprise in the U.S. and in other countries, including an assessment of the underpinnings and ramifications of innovation among individuals, organizations and societies. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The individual selected for this position serves as an advisor to the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director on all scientific, policy and management matters relating to the support of research in the social, behavioral and economic sciences. Collaborates with the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director in the development and formulation of policy for determining which phases of research should be emphasized and supported by the foundation and formulates criteria for evaluating research in progress in Federal agencies and in public and private institutions. Provides assistant with research and fiscal data to aid in the formulation of the Science Metrics program budget. Determines the needs for special studies and works with the directorate’s scientific staff in the development of such studies. Coordinates special projects for the Science Metrics Program. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: For AD-4: Applicants must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in one of the following; social science, behavioral science, statistics, mathematical statistics, or economics plus six or more years of research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the program is required. QUALITY RANKING FACTORS: 1. Broad knowledge and understanding of the complex linkage between research and development (R&D) investments and social change. 2. Thorough understanding of existing surveys and the proven ability to develop new survey areas where data did not exist. 3. Demonstrated ability to organize, implement and manage a proposal- driven grants program, allocating resources to meet a broad spectrum of program goals. 4. Ability to produce usable knowledge from data. This includes model building, the development of econometric, behavioral and other statistical tools as well as qualitative studies and tools tailored to the problem of understanding innovation and returns on science investments. 5. Skills of collaboration and alliance building demonstrated through service as a representative on national, international committees, boards, or panels for a public or private institution. BASIS FOR RATING: Final ranking is based on an evaluation of your experience, education and training as they relate to the knowledge, skills and abilities specified in the Quality Ranking Factors. Current performance appraisal, letter(s) of recommendation, and awards may also be used in the evaluation process. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Appointment to the position is contingent upon successful completion of the appropriate background investigation. Satisfactory completion of a one-year trial period may also be required. HOW TO APPLY: You may apply for this position with the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), the older Application for Federal Employment (SF-171), a resume, or other application format of your choice - so long as it contains the necessary information (summarized below). You must also submit a current Performance Appraisal or letter(s) of recommendation from professionals who can comment on your capabilities. In order to ensure full consideration, it is recommended that you submit a supplemental statement which specifically addresses how your background and experience relate to each Quality Ranking Factor listed on this announcement. You must specify the job announcement number, and title and grade(s) of the job for which you are applying. You should also provide the following information: s Your country of citizenship. s Your social security number. s Information about your education, including (1) high school graduation date and (2) college/university information - your major, and type and year of degree(s). If no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether they are semester or quarter hours. s Information about all your work experience related to this job, including job titles, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and annual salary. If you held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately. s If you have Federal civilian experience, indicate the highest grade held, the job series, and dates held. s The brochure Applying for a Federal Job provides information on the Federal job application process; it is available by calling the number listed below. If your application does not provide all the information requested in the vacancy announcement, you may lose consideration for this job. The National Science Foundation provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact listed on this vacancy announcement. You may submit your application via e-mail to ywoodwar@nsf.gov or submit all application material to National Science Foundation, Division of Human Resource Management, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 315, Arlington, VA 22230. Attn: Announcement Number E20060053. In addition to the required application materials, you are asked to complete and submit the attached Applicant Survey form. Submission of this form is voluntary and will not affect your application for employment. The information is used for statistical purposes only. 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