Dear Colleague Letter:Division of Earth Sciences, for Associate/Program Directors in Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry, Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology, and Hydrologic Sciences

Employment Opportunity--Dear Colleague Letter
Date: October 15, 2009

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), Surface Earth Processes Section announces a nationwide search to fill Associate/Program Director positions for the Programs of:

Geobiology and Low Temperature Geochemistry (GG)
Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology (SGP)
Hydrologic Sciences (HS)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Associate/ Program Directors help administer specific research areas. They are NSF program managers who help solicit, receive, and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, and administer awards. They are also responsible for interaction with other Federal Agencies forming and guiding interagency collaborations and for service to Foundation-wide activities.

NSF program managers bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Foundation’s overall mission to support innovative and merit-evaluated activities in fundamental research and education that contribute to the nation’s technological strength, security and welfare. The positions require a commitment to high standards of intellectualism and ethical conduct, a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.

Formal consideration of interested applicants will begin December 1, 2009 and will continue until a selection is made.  Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the Section Head (listed below) and to the Divisional webpage http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=ear, for a description of the Programs.  Interested persons are also encouraged to contact the Program Director below, who are also listed on the program web pages, for more information.

Qualifications of a successful candidate include a PhD degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, an established record of research and education in a field appropriate to the position, and managerial experience in academe, industry or government, plus at least four years (Associate Program Director) / six years (Program Director) of successful research and research administration. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The incumbent is expected to function effectively, both as an individual within the specific NSF program, and as a member of crosscutting and interactive team. The incumbent must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

Associate/Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may 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:  http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/.

Individuals interested in applying for these positions should send a current CV and statement of interest with the Program they are interested in to:

Dr. Enriqueta Barrera
Acting Section Head, Surface Earth Processes
Division of Earth Sciences, Suite 785
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230
Fax: 703-292-8553
Email: ebarrera@nsf.gov

NSF IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO EMPLOYING
A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.