March 14, 2013

The Engineering Education and Centers Division (EEC) in the Directorate for Engineering (ENG), announces a nationwide search for an individual to serve as Program Director for the Broadening Participation in Engineering Program (BPE). The rotational assignment will be made for one year, and it may be extended for additional years by mutual agreement. Formal consideration of interested applicants will begin April 1, 2013 and will continue until a selection is made. The selected applicant is expected to start between July 1, 2013 and September 30, 2013

Through its funding portfolio, the BPE Program focuses on effective means of creating diverse pathways to engineering careers for all members of society, particularly those currently under-represented in the engineering workforce. The objective of the program is to improve the quality and diversity of the engineering workforce through targeted, systemic investments that achieve demonstrable short term and long term impact. The selected individual is expected to:

• Develop the ENG broadening participation strategy to maximize the impact of ENG investments.
• Solicit, review, and effectively manage a portfolio of awards in broadening participation.
• Work with other experts internal and external to NSF to evaluate the long term impact of ENG’s broadening participation portfolio.
• Serve as a resource for ENG through their expertise on current scholarship and research for effective broadening participation strategies.
• Work closely with other program officers and administrative staff across the Engineering Directorate on methods to improve existing review, outreach, and other efforts to meet NSF goals of broadening participation.
• Participate in intra- and inter-agency broadening participation workgroups, as appropriate, to effectively leverage ENG investments

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the overall mission of the agency. To discharge 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.

Required qualifications include a Ph.D. degree or equivalent professional experience in an engineering discipline, plus six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience in academe, industry, or government. The appointee is expected to have knowledge of research in an engineering discipline as well as the scholarship of broadening participation as evidenced by leading research efforts, scholarly publications in this area or other relevant measures. Experience in managing programs that enhance the recruitment, retention and successful career development of underrepresented groups in engineering and related disciplines is highly desirable. Leadership experience in engineering education or broadening participation efforts (departmental, college, university, societies, journals, etc.) is required. In addition, demonstrated achievements in classroom teaching and student advising are important attributes for the successful applicant. Also desirable are knowledge of the general scientific and engineering community and strong skills in written and oral communication. The appointee is expected to function effectively both within specific programs and as part of a team, contributing to and coordinating with offices throughout NSF and with other Federal and state government agencies and private sector organizations. The National Science Foundation especially encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities, as well as individuals from Minority Serving Institutions.

This position may 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 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 rotator programs, please visit https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/.

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens. Due to a recent change in Federal Appropriations Law, only Non-Citizens who are permanent US residents and actively seeking citizenship can be considered for Federal appointments (i.e., Visiting Scientists, Engineers and Educators (VSEE) program, Temporary Excepted Service). Therefore, you are required to provide documentation that confirms you are actively seeking citizenship at the time you submit your application. Non-citizens who do not provide documentation will be considered only for the IPA program.

Individuals interested in applying for this Program Director position should send a current CV and statement of interest to:

Engineering Education and Centers Division
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 585
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: 703-292-8380
Attn: Dr. Theresa Maldonado, Division Director
Email: tmaldona@nsf.gov

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A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITY OF OUR NATION.