National Science Foundation Senior Executive Service Vacancy ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: S20040087-C OPEN: 05/19/2004 CLOSE: 07/18/2004 POSITION VACANT: Head, Research Grants Section, Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) LOCATION: Arlington, Virginia SALARY RANGE: $133,000 - $145,600 per annum AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All Qualified Applicants Announcement is for a career appointment. Position is also announced on a two-to-three year limited term appointment basis in S20040087-LTD and on an Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment basis in S20040087-IPA. Statement of Duties: The Head of the Research Grants Section is responsible to the Director, Division of Earth Sciences for the overall planning, management and commitment of budgeted funds for the Research Grant Section which includes programs in Geobiology and Environmental Geochemistry, Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics, Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology, Hydrologic Sciences and Education and Human Resources. The Section supports both disciplinary and multidisciplinary programs. The incumbent guides the Section in formulating and implementing its research objectives and manages its administrative, fiscal and personnel aspects. The responsibilities of the Head of the Research Grants Section include the coordination of activities with other relevant organizations within the Foundation, other Federal agencies, community organizations and international partners. Additional responsibilities include undertaking the design, development, analysis, documentation, management and implementation of science and educational activities within the surficial earth sciences and across disciplinary boundaries. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS EXECUTIVE/MANAGERIAL Essential 1. Leading Change. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement an organizational vision that integrates key national science, technology, and education goals. Includes understanding of the relative roles and relationships of Federal, academic and private organizations involved in the development and support of programs to improve the status of engineering, science, technology, and mathematics research and education. Includes the ability to formulate effective program strategies consistent with the overall goals of the organization. 2. Leading People. Demonstrated ability to achieve organizational objectives by creatively managing and motivating staff. Includes the knowledge and ability to promote quality through the effective use of performance standards and assessment. Includes leveraging diversity and other differences, promoting developmental opportunities for staff, fostering commitment and team spirit, and constructively resolving conflicts. 3. Results-Driven Leadership. Demonstrated knowledge and ability in planning, prioritizing, and coordinating large, complex programs. Includes the ability to make timely and effective decisions and to produce results through strategic planning, and the implementation and evaluation of programs and policies. Includes the ability to address and balance complex and diverse program requirements within available resources. 4. Business Acumen. Demonstrated ability to utilize human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner that instills public trust and accomplishes the organization’s mission, and to take advantage of new technologies to enhance the effectiveness of decision making. Includes demonstrated ability in recruiting and selecting staff, allocating financial resources, and managing budgetary processes. 5. Building Coalitions/Communication. Demonstrated ability to serve as the senior spokesperson for a major organization involved in the support of engineering, science and technology development initiatives, and to foster partnerships. Includes the ability to coordinate organizational strategy and initiatives with representatives of engineering, scientific and business communities and with representatives of state governments. Includes ability to interact constructively with Congress, Federal officials, representatives of professional organizations and the public. PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL EssentialsStrong leadership capability in engineering education reform. Candidates should be prepared to take a strong leadership role in promoting active learning, use of technology in the classroom environment and as a course management tool and other energizing methods to improve learning. Increasingly, the new engineer requires, in addition to strong technical capability, skills in communication and persuasion, the ability to lead and work effectively as a member of a team, understanding of the non-technical forces that profoundly affect engineering decisions, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The new engineering education paradigm may be characterized by active, project based learning; horizontal and vertical integration of subject matter; introduction of mathematical and scientific concepts in the context of application; close interaction with industry; broad use of information technology and cyberinfrastructure; and a faculty devoted to developing emerging professionals as mentors and coaches who can educate while broadening engineering education to accommodate diversity that is truly reflective of American diversity. The EEC Division Director must be committed to implementing this education reform mission. 1. Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience in at least one of the major subdisciplinary fields of the Earth Sciences (e.g. , geology, paleontology, hydrology, environmental geochemistry). 2. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship in one or more of the major fields in the earth sciences as evidenced in publications, recognized professional standing in the research community, professional awards, and/or innovative leadership in research administration. 3. Knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in scientific research support. 4. Demonstrated broad knowledge of diverse fields that border on the main earth sciences disciplines. GENERAL INFORMATION The Senior Executive Service (SES) covers managerial positions above GS- 15 in the Federal Service. Persons appointed to the SES are eligible for health benefits, life insurance, social security, Federal retirement and thrift savings plan coverage, and participate in the Federal leave system. Career appointees are eligible for bonuses based on performance in addition to base pay. Competitive status is not required, veteran’s preference does not apply and there are no grade restrictions. New appointees to the SES are required to serve a one-year probationary period. Final selection of career appointees requires the approval of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. OPM approval will be based on the selectee’s background in the following 5 executive core qualification areas: (1) Leading Change, (2) Leading People, (3) Results Driven Leadership, (4) Business Acumen, and (5) Building Coalitions/Communication. These areas are incorporated in the 5 executive/managerial requirements for the position. Information about the leadership requirements for SES-level positions is available on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.opm.gov/ses/handbook.html. The individual selected will be required to file an “Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report” (SF-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. EVALUATION METHOD Applicants will be screened for basic eligibility according to the essential qualification requirements. Eligible applicants will be reviewed by an Evaluation Panel according to criteria based on the qualification requirements. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the appropriate official who will recommend selection. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, physical disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non- merit reason. Any applicant may request information or appeal the procedures and operations of the merit staffing process to the Executive Resources Board. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please ensure that your application includes the documents listed below and reflects your background in terms of the qualification requirements for the position. 1.) Resume or other application format of your choice. Your application should contain the following information: Country of citizenship. Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s). Information about all your work experience, 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 salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately. The brochure Applying for a Federal Job (OF 510) provides information on the federal job application process; it is available on OPM’s website at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.htm. 2.) Narrative statement addressing your background in terms of (a) the executive/managerial and (b) the professional/technical requirements. 3.) NSF Form 1232, “Applicant Survey.” Submission of this form is voluntary and will not affect your application for employment. The information provided will be used only for statistical purposes. APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Applications must be received by the closing date on this announcement. Applications may be transmitted electronically to execsrch@nsf.gov or mailed or delivered to the following address: National Science Foundation, Division of Human Resource Management, Executive Personnel, Room 315, ATTN: S20040087-C, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Inquiries or questions should be directed to: Executive Personnel Staff at (703) 292-8755; hearing impaired individuals should call TDD (703) 292-8044. Additional information on the NSF mission, structure, programs and operations may be accessed through our Homepage http://www.nsf.gov/. 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 on this vacancy announcement. NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.