August 7, 2015

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) within the Directorate of Geosciences (GEO) announces a nationwide search for a rotating Program Director position with the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) in the Integrative Programs Section.

The Integrative Programs Section (IPS) in OCE supports the acquisition, construction, conversion, and operation of major shared-use oceanographic facilities needed to carry out oceanographic-related research programs. IPS oversees the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), which is transitioning from construction into operations. Accordingly, OCE is expanding OOI management to include an additional Program Director within IPS to broadly oversee synergies with the OOI science community.

We seek a highly motivated candidate to join an expanded NSF OOI Management Team that includes Program Directors from OCE science programs, the current OOI Program Director within IPS, and other OCE personnel. The individual selected will report to the Integrative Programs Section Head. Duties and opportunities will include, but not be limited to, developing and implementing (1) an independent and robust science community engagement strategy and, (2) an external advisory structure for OOI that includes close interaction with the existing University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Ocean Observing Science Committee (OOSG). Efforts will include engaging the science community in addressing topics related to data management, including sampling plans and Quality Assurance and Quality Control. The individual selected will serve as the coordinator for internal NSF and external engagement with other federal agency partners and the national and international science community on OOI science-related topics. The individual will also participate in Division, Directorate, and Agency interdisciplinary programs and activities that require understanding science and scientific impacts across various fields, including biological, physical, and chemical oceanography, and marine geology and geophysics.

The OCE Division supports research, infrastructure, and education to advance understanding of all aspects of the global oceans and ocean basins, including their interactions with people and the integrated Earth system. These activities provide knowledge critical to addressing many of our nation's most pressing challenges involving earth processes. OCE supports and promotes collaboration and facilitates development of a diverse scientific and educational community, including international efforts. The Division works with the U.S. ocean sciences academic community to direct funding towards advancing the frontiers of knowledge, developing the next generation of researchers, and enhancing the public's understanding of ocean sciences. The Division represents this community in the Federal context coordinates with other Federal agencies and with international partners on research funding and infrastructure management, and participates in development of policy through national and international forums and programs.

Formal consideration of interested applications will begin September 7, 2015 and will continue until a selection is made.

NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the agency's overall mission to support innovative and merit-reviewed activities in basic research and education that contribute to the nation's technical strength, security, and welfare. To fulfill 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.

This specific position requires an individual with broad expertise and demonstrated experience in oceanography disciplines, with past ocean observatories experience being highly beneficial. Applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in an area of oceanography or a related discipline, plus at least six years of successful research, research administration and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after award of the Ph.D. 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 and in a highly collaborative manner, both as an individual within the specific NSF program and as a member of crosscutting and interactive NSF teams. The incumbent must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program activities through interagency collaborations.

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under 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 of 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, Engineer or Educator (VSEE) 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 status 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.

Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the Divisional web page, https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?org=OCE, for a description of the relevant programs. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Integrative Programs Section Head: Bauke (Bob) Houtman (703)-292-7704) or bhoutman@nsf.gov) for more information.

For additional information on NSF's rotational programs, please visit: https://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps/rotators/.

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 to be considered for Federal appointments (i.e., Visiting Scientists, Engineers and Educators (VSEE) program and Temporary Excepted Service). Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will be considered only for the IPA program.

Applications of interest should be submitted electronically and must include contact information, a current CV, a letter briefly describing the candidate's background that specifically relates to the program objectives, availability time frame, and a list of references.

Please make electronic submission to:

Bauke (Bob) Houtman, Head
Integrative Programs Section
Division of Ocean Sciences
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
Telephone: 703-292-7704
E-mail: bhoutman@nsf.gov

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