Salary: $178,063 – $198,800

Summary:

Become a part of our mission to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the US science and engineering enterprise. For over 70 years, the National Science Foundation. National Science Foundation (NSF) has remained the premier Federal agency supporting basic research at the frontiers of discovery across all fields, as well as science and engineering education at all levels.

Description:

The Division Director leads a team of program officers in managing a broad portfolio of investments in materials research and education. The incumbent has managerial and oversight responsibilities for the effective use of Division staff and resources in meeting organizational goals and objectives. This includes directing the activities of the Division, assessing the needs and trends in research and education related to the Division’s program, implementing overall strategic planning, and policy setting. The Director supervises and provides leadership and guidance to senior level DMR staff (Deputy Division Director), DMR program officers, administrative and support personnel. The Director determines funding requirements, prepares and justifies budget estimates, balances program needs, allocates resources, oversees the evaluation of proposals and recommendations for awards and declinations, and represents NSF to relevant external groups. The Director fosters partnerships with other Divisions, Directorates, Federal agencies, scientific organizations, and the academic community.

The mission of the Division of Materials Research is to make new discoveries about the behavior of matter and materials; to create new materials and new knowledge about materials phenomena; to address fundamental materials questions that often transcend traditional scientific and engineering disciplines and may lead to new technologies; to prepare the next generation of materials researchers; to develop and support the instruments and facilities that are crucial to advance the field; and to share the excitement and significance of materials science with the public at large.

The successful candidate will possess an established record of significant achievement in research administration as well as leadership responsibility in academe, industry, or government. In addition to having a strong record of research and education accomplishments within his or her technical communities, the Division Director must be experienced and competent in technical, financial, and administrative management. He/she must work well with people, be an effective communicator, and act as a mentor to continuously develop the diversity of talents and skills of his or her colleagues at all levels.

Qualifications:

EXECUTIVE/MANAGERIAL (E/Ms): Unless you are currently under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the E/M qualifications. Applicants who do not provide a narrative statement will only be considered for an IPA appointment, if applicable.

Essential

1. Leading Change. This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People. This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

3. Results-Driven Leadership. This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen. This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions. This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, non-profit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL (P/Ts): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the P/T qualifications. You must address each P/T qualification separately.

Essential

1. Education, strongly preferred at the Ph.D. level, or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience, in materials research or a closely related field.

2. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship in areas related to materials research as evidenced by publications, innovative leadership in research administration, and professional leadership and awards in these technical areas.

3. Skill in balancing complex and diverse program demands and available resources in response to major advances or changing needs of science and engineering research and technology and demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgment in recommending the initiation of research in the field of materials research or a closely related field.

4. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where research and education in science and engineering is conducted including knowledge of grant administration and fiscal management with experience in materials research support.

When responding to the P/T and E/M qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the E/Ms and P/Ts.

Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the programs managed and program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Applicants who do not provide narrative statements addressing both the E/M and P/T qualifications will only be considered for an IPA assignment, if applicable.

Applicants currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to address the Executive/Managerial (E/M) qualifications; but a narrative statement for each of the Professional/Technical (P/T) qualifications is required.

To view additional information on the proper preparation of Executive Core Qualification (ECQs) statements, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management’s Guide to Executive Qualifications.
http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/

• How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted from U.S. Citizens. Due to a change in Federal Appropriations Law, only Non-Citizens who are permanent U.S, residents and actively seeking citizenship can be considered. Therefore, you are required to provide documentation (NSF Citizenship Affidavit https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/forms/affidavit_eligibility_of_employment.pdf) that confirms you are actively seeking citizenship at the time you submit your application. Non-citizens who do not provide documentation will not be considered. Application Instructions: You may view the vacancy announcement and application instructions for this position at USAJOBS – Job Announcement.

• Vacancy Contact:

David Smith
703-292-5090
execsrch@nsf.gov

• Application Submission Email Address: USAJOBS – Job Announcement

• Application Timeline

o Open Date: 3/3/2022
o Close Date: 5/30/2022