September 22, 2016

Dear Colleague:

The Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI) announces a nation-wide search to fill the position of Program Director for the Infrastructure Management and Extreme Events (IMEE) Program.

Formal consideration of applications will begin on November 1, 2016 and will continue until a selection is made. The intended start date is the Summer of 2017.

Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF-funded research is at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with academic research communities and industry, as well as interaction with other Federal agencies that may lead to development of interagency collaborations. Within this context, Program Directors solicit, receive and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, administer awards, and undertake interaction with research communities in these fields. They are also responsible for service to Foundation-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF’s strategic goals to: 1) Transform the Frontiers of Science and Engineering, 2) Stimulate Innovation and Address Societal Needs through Research and Education, and 3) Excel as a Federal Science Agency. The position requires 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.

The IMEE program supports fundamental, multidisciplinary research on the impact of hazards and extreme events on civil infrastructure and society. The IMEE program is focused on research that bears directly upon activities of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in relation to multi-hazard disasters. The program is deeply multidisciplinary, integrating and extending perspectives of diverse disciplines in engineering, social science and other areas. For more information, see https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13353.

Qualifications for the IMEE Program Director position include a PhD. degree in an appropriate field, along with demonstrated success in appropriate areas of research, research administration, and/or management for a period of six of more years beyond the Ph.D. Familiarity with NSF in general and the IMEE program in particular is highly desirable, as is experience working in interdisciplinary teams and engaging in multidisciplinary hazard and disaster research. Effective oral and written communication skills are essential, as is a strong commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled under one of the following appointment options:

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. For additional information regarding IPA positions, please visit the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/ipa.jsp.

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 institutions 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 institutions 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: https://www.nsf.gov/careers/ and https://www.nsf.gov/careers/rotator/microsite/.

Applications will be accepted from US 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. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will be considered for IPA only. We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

“NSF is relocating to Alexandria, Virginia. In late summer of 2017, NSF will begin the transition from its current location in Arlington, Virginia to 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. The new location is adjacent to a Metro station (Eisenhower Avenue on the Yellow Line) and there is ample parking in the area. There are several amenities nearby, such as restaurants, hotels, and shops.”

Should you or your colleagues be interested in this position, or wish to nominate a suitable candidate, email a single PDF document that includes (I) a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position and (II) a curriculum vitae to the search committee chair, Dr. George Hazelrigg, at ghazelri@nsf.gov.

David Mendonca, Program Director
Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation
Directorate for Engineering
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: (703) 292-7081
Email: mendonca@nsf.gov

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