Division Director

Duties

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is ranked in the top 5 best places to work amongst midsize agencies in the federal government, and the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) is ranked in the top 5 best places to work amongst 411 agency subcomponents in the federal government. BIO is responsible for managing and funding major research programs and facilities supported by the NSF in the biological sciences.

The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports fundamental research on populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. Scientific emphases range across many evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes at all spatial and temporal scales. The Division Director manages the Division, coordinates Division activities with the Assistant Director, BIO, and serves as the Foundation's principal spokesperson in the field of environmental biosciences.  The Division Director also:

• Recommends research that should be emphasized and supported by the Foundation.  Keeps current with the scientific research programs undertaken by agencies of the Federal government and public and private institutions, and coordinates the Foundation's scientific research programs with those undertaken by individuals and research groups.
• Represents NSF on national and international committees, boards, panels, etc., in matters dealing with the major disciplines over which the Division has cognizance.  Interprets NSF policies for groups and acts as liaison between these and the Foundation.
• Directs the preparation of annual and long-range budget requirements for the Division.
• Initiates actions to provide further consideration of emerging and newly developed areas of special interest to the Division.
• Determines the need for special studies and provides guidance to the scientific staff in the development of such studies by defining the purpose of the study and area of emphasis.
• Directs the proposal processing activities of the Division:
• establishing administrative procedures for reviewing proposals and awarding research grants and contracts;
• managing cooperative interagency agreements;
• reviewing proposals recommended by program officers for award of declination;
• post-award monitoring and evaluation
• Is responsible for the development and revision of suitable internal Division structures, the arrangement of program and project goals and levels of effort, and the continuing review, evaluation, and coordination of all Division activities.
• Implements the representation of minority group employees, women, and individuals with disabilities on advisory committees, review panels and all other mechanisms by which the scientific community provides assistance to NSF.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• One year probationary period required for all new Career SES appointments
• Requires an Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure OGE278
• US Citizenship or appropriate affidavit, depending on position

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. Foreign Talent Definitions

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement, subject to such exceptions as required by law. This policy applies to all NSF staff, to include employees, Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignees, Visiting Scientists, Engineers, and Educators (VSEEs), as well as fellows and interns. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or on-boarding with the agency, if after November 22. Upon selection, NSF will provide additional information regarding what documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement. 

Qualifications

EXECUTIVE/MANAGERIAL (E/Ms): Unless you are currently under a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program approved by OPM, you must submit written statements (narrative format) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the E/M qualifications. Applicants who do not provide a narrative statement will only be considered for an IPA appointment, if applicable. 

Essential

1. Leading Change.  This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People.  This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

3. Results-Driven Leadership.  This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent in this E/M is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen.  This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions.  This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, non-profit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL (P/Ts): All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the P/T qualifications. You must address each P/T qualification separately.

Essential

1. Education strongly preferred at the Ph.D. level, or equivalent professional experience, or a combination of education and equivalent experience, in environmental biology.
2. Substantial research contributions and strong evidence of scholarship and leadership in environmental biology as evidenced in publications and professional and leadership activities.
3. Skill in recognizing, developing, and implementing approaches and programs which build on the expertise and knowledge of researchers and educators in other disciplines to develop solutions to important cross-cutting research and education problems.
4. Broad understanding of universities and other institutions where research and education in science and engineering is conducted. Knowledge of grant and contract administration, fiscal management, and budget preparation with experience in scientific research support.

•    When responding to the P/T and E/M qualifications, you must clearly show that you possess the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties of this position by submitting narrative responses in which you detail your experience in each of the E/Ms and P/Ts.
•    Your examples should be clear and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of the programs managed and program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.

Applicants who do not provide narrative statements addressing both the E/M and P/T qualifications will only be considered for an IPA assignment, if applicable.

Applicants currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to address the Executive/Managerial (E/M) Qualifications (ECQs); but a narrative statement for each of the Professional/Technical (P/T) Qualifications (PTQs) is required.