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You are viewing a Dear Colleague Letter.

A Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) is an informal correspondence which is written by a Requesting Office and distributed to communities within a specific program area, to attract individuals eligible under a Visiting Scientist, Engineer, and Educator (VSEE) appointment, an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment and/or a Federal Temporary appointment. These letters may be circulated in paper form through internal mail, distributed electronically using listservs or accessed through NSF.gov’s Career Page.

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment Opportunities at the U.S. National Science Foundation, Directorate for Geosciences (NSF GEO)

Directorate: Geosciences (GEO)
Job Type:
STEM
Appointment Type:
Temporary / Rotator

Application timeline

Date Posted:
Closing date: Open until filled

Position Description

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences (NSF GEO) is seeking highly qualified individuals interested in serving in science, technology, engineering and mathematics positions through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program. This NSF GEO Directorate-wide informal outreach effort to identify candidates with strong scientific, technical, leadership and program management expertise who are interested in contributing to NSF's mission to promote the progress of science and advance the national health, prosperity and welfare.  
 
IPA assignments provide a unique opportunity for eligible individuals from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and other entities to contribute their expertise while gaining valuable federal experience supporting national science and engineering priorities. 

The position recruited under this announcement will be filled under the following appointment option(s):

Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Assignment: 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. 

It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General.

This opportunity is open only to individuals eligible for appointment under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program. Applicants must meet all IPA eligibility requirements at the time of application. In accordance with the U.S. National Science Foundation requirements, IPAs must be United States citizens.

NSF GEO is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience in the following GEO disciplines, strategic leadership, research administration, innovation and collaboration across academia, industry and government. 

GEO is seeking candidates to support the following areas of research:  

  • Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS): Research to advance understanding of Earth's atmosphere and the near-Earth space environment, including the physical and chemical processes that drive variability and coupling across these regions, and across spatial and temporal scales.
  • Earth Sciences (EAR): Research to advance understanding of Earth's interior and surface processes, past and present, including the structure, physics and chemical evolution of Earth's interior; water, landscape and critical zone processes; and life and environments through time.
  • Ocean Sciences (OCE): Research to advance understanding of the ocean basins and Great Lakes and their role in the Earth system, including biological, chemical and physical oceanography and the geological and geophysical processes of the ocean.   

The directorate supports activities that build capacity across the geosciences, including education and workforce development; physical and cyberinfrastructure; and critical and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum information science. 

The directorate welcomes interest from individuals with expertise in any areas of the geosciences.   
 

Interested individuals should submit the following materials: 
 
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).  
• Brief statement of interest highlighting relevant experience and areas of expertise.  
• Current contact information.  
 
Application materials or questions about this Dear Colleague Letter should be submitted to: geo-jobs@nsf.gov. 
 
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Be advised that IPA participants will be eligible for either one year of per diem allowance, in accordance with U.S. General Services Administration rates, or a round-trip household goods move to support the rotational assignment. 
 
We encourage you to share this opportunity with qualified colleagues and professional networks. Questions regarding the IPA program or opportunities at NSF may also be directed to Lindsey Moraz, Excepted Service Unit Chief, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer at LMORAZ@NSF.GOV. 

 
Thank you for your interest in supporting the mission of the U.S. National Science Foundation. 
 

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