Dear Colleague Letter: Employment Opportunities for Temporary Program Directors in the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) (Open Until Filled)
February 4, 2019
Dear Colleague:
We are seeking qualified candidates for temporary rotator appointments as Program Director in the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), Directorate of Geosciences (GEO), Alexandria, VA.
EAR supports research that improves understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth. In addition to programs administered in support of basic research, EAR supports workforce and education opportunities, facilities, and a wide spectrum of other scientific activities. Information about EAR and its programs can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR.
Individuals interested in rotating as Temporary Program Directors in one of the following programs are encouraged to apply.
- Geobiology and Low-Temperature Geochemistry
- Geophysics
- Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics
- Hydrologic Sciences
- Instrumentation and Facilities
- Petrology and Geochemistry
- Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology
- Tectonics
Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Directors are guided by the goals of NSF's Strategic Plan: (1) Transform the Frontiers of Science and Engineering, (2) Stimulate Innovation and Address Societal Needs through Research and Education, and (3) Excel as a Federal Science Agency. It is expected that the rotating Program Director will be knowledgeable in the scientific areas covered by the program and will help identify emerging opportunities in the Geosciences.
The responsibilities of a Program Director include long-range planning for the areas of science represented by the program; administration of the merit review process and proposal recommendations; preparation of material describing advances in the research supported; and coordination with other NSF programs as well as those at other Federal agencies and organizations. In addition, the incumbent will be involved in the design, development, analysis, documentation, management and implementation of programs and activities within the program and across disciplinary boundaries.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
The successful applicant requires not only knowledge in the appropriate scientific discipline but also a commitment to high scientific standards, considerable breadth of scientific interest, and receptivity to new ideas. Also necessary are a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity and ethics, decisiveness, and an ability to effectively lead teams across a variety of institutional cultures within Federal and state government agencies, legislative bodies, and private sector organizations.
The Program Director positions recruited under this announcement will be filled with 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 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 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.
For additional information on NSF's rotational programs, please see "Programs for Scientists, Engineers, and Educators" on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/ and https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/microsite/.
Applications will be accepted from U.S. 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. This also applies to individuals considered for Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments to NSF. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered eligible. 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.
Individuals interested in applying for these Program Director positions should send a current CV and letter of interest to:
Dr. Lina Patino
Acting Division Director
Division of Earth Sciences, E 8328
National Science Foundation
2415 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22314
Email: lpatino@nsf.gov
NSF is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Employing a Highly Qualified Staff that Reflects the Diversity of Our Nation.