May 6, 2016

Dear Colleague: The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) within the Directorate of Geosciences (GEO) announces a nationwide search for a Program Director (Rotator) in the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program. .

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility 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.

The Marine Geology and Geophysics Program supports research on all aspects of the geology and geophysics of the oceans and Great Lakes. Within this broad purview, the Program supports research on past ocean states and associated climates derived from marine archives, and on the genesis, evolution, deposition, erosion, and transport of sediments in ocean basins and on the continental shelves. To assist with review of proposals on these topics, the Program seeks an individual with broad expertise and demonstrated experience in low-temperature geochemistry, paleoceanography, sedimentary geology, paleoclimate, or other related fields. The selected individual will work closely with other Program Directors to balance the award portfolio across the entire range of disciplines supported by the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program.

The Program Director position requires excellent oral and written communication skills. Familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The successful applicant will be expected to work effectively within a team environment both within the Program and as a member of crosscutting and interactive teams. For example, he or she will be expected to participate in the Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2) program, a cross-divisional competition focused on paleoclimate research.

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled through one of the following appointment options:

Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment (IPA) Act: Individuals eligible for an IPA assignment with a Federal agency include employees of State and local government agencies or institutions of higher education, Indian tribal governments, and other eligible organizations in instances where such assignments would be of mutual benefit to the organizations involved. Initial assignments under IPA provisions may be made for a period up to two years, with a possible extension for up to an additional two-year period. The individual remains an employee of the home institution and NSF provides the negotiated funding toward the assignee's salary and benefits. Initial IPA assignments are made for a one-year period and may be extended by mutual agreement..

Visiting Scientist, Engineer or Educator (VSEE) Appointment: Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Visiting Scientists are on non-paid leave status from their home institution and placed on the NSF payroll. NSF withholds Social Security taxes and pays the home institution's contributions to maintain retirement and fringe benefits (i.e., health benefits and life insurance), either directly to the home institution or to the carrier. Appointments are usually made for a one-year period and may be extended for an additional year by mutual agreement.

Temporary Excepted Service Appointment: 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 for appointments of more than one year. Temporary appointments may not exceed three years.

Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the OCE Division web page, https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?org=OCE, for more detailed description of the relevant programs. For additional information on temporary/rotator appointments at NSF, please visit: https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/.

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law require Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application to be considered for Federal appointments (i.e., Visiting Scientists, Engineers and Educators (VSEE) program and Temporary Excepted Service). Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will be considered only for the IPA program. We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

Applications of interest should be submitted electronically and must include contact information, a current CV, and a statement briefly describing the candidate's background that specifically relates to the position duties and requirements. Applicants may also wish to include their timeframe of availability and a list of references.

Applications will be accepted until June 15, 2016.

Questions and application materials should be sent to:

Dr. Candace Major
Lead Program Director
Marine Geology and Geophysics Program
Division of Ocean Sciences
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 525
Arlington, Virginia 22230
Phone: (703) 292-7597
Fax: (703) 292-9147
cmajor@nsf.gov