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This position reports directly to the Head of the Large Facilities Office (LFO). LFO is part of NSF's Office of Budget, Finance, and Award Management (BFA) and is NSF's primary resource for all policy and processes related to the development, implementation, and oversight of Major Facilities, and is the agency’s primary resource on project management good practices and lessons learned. For NSF, Major Facilities are defined as research infrastructure.
Learn more about this agency08/25/2020 to 09/15/2020
$121,316 - $170,800 per year
GS 14 - 15
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Some travel is required.
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
15
No
No
BFA-2020-0009
577147000
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Current or former Federal employees with competitive status obtained through a permanent Federal competitive service appointment OR individuals with eligibility for noncompetitive special appointing authority OR ICTAP/CTAP eligibles OR veterans eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act.
Position serves as a Facilities Advisor under the supervision of the Head of the Large Facilities Office within the Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management (BFA). In addition to funding research and education in science and engineering, NSF supports the construction and operation of numerous, complex and unique major research facilities, which require significant oversight compared to standard grants.
Policy, Procedure and Documentation Support
Develops NSF policies and procedures for all Major Facility lifecycle stages, with a primary focus on design and construction.
Researches regulations, policies, procedures, and good practices utilized by other Federal agencies and the private sector. Provides relevant advice regarding the development of NSF's administrative systems, policies, and procedures necessary to ensure efficient and effective oversight of federal funds.
Develops a variety of written reports and oral presentations. Analyzes and produces documents including position papers, justifications, and memoranda on a variety of LFO and BFA-wide subjects. Represents LFO and BFA management during internal and external briefings related to Major Facilities.
Program Assistance:
Assists with planning, organizing, conducting, and documenting of external panel reviews of cost, scope, schedule, performance and Recipient management of NSF's Major Facility and Mid-scale projects during design, construction and operations.
Provides guidance and interpretation of NSF and government-wide regulations, policies and procedures.
Participates as a member of NSF’s Integrated Project Teams (IPT), which provide coordinated oversight for the execution of Major Facilities.
Plans periodic internal seminars for NSF staff and external workshops with the community to share lessons learned and good practices for various aspects of the management and oversight of Major Facilities.
Agency Assurance (as assigned):
Provides an independent assessment to the Head of LFO on Major Facility status, risks, business systems and practices, reviews and site visits.
Acts as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for contracts related to Major Facilities oversight including but not limited to Business Systems Reviews (BSR's) independent cost estimate reviews, and other support to LFO and/or the agency. Develops and administers interagency agreements to support NSF oversight.
Manages external and internal web content, manages internal agency information, utilizes financial and award system coding, provides comment during clearances of agency documentation, and other related LFO business activities.
Provides expert advice and assessments to other NSF organizations in areas specific to Major Facilities cost and schedule estimating for design, construction and operations such as contingencies and project risks.t.
Works with the NSF Academy to develop and arrange curriculum material that will be of particular benefit to staff involved in the planning and oversight of Major Facilities.
Provides advice regarding NSF responses to Congressional, Government Accountability Office, and Office of Inspector General inquiries and findings and of the impact of proposed corrective actions.
Competencies:
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
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
To qualify at GS-14, you need to possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service. An example of specialized experience is advising management on the development and implementation, and management of a program for the planning, construction, or operation of research infrastructure.
To qualify at GS-15, you need to possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service. An example of specialized experience is advising senior management and leadership on the development, implementation, and impacts of a program for the planning, construction, or operation of research infrastructure.
The ideal candidate should possess: 1. A high degree of general knowledge of, and experience with, the planning and management of large, scientific facilities similar to the NSF's. 2. The ability to apply his/her knowledge to help plan and execute a broad oversight program that will vary due to the complexity and diversity of NSF's Facility projects. 3. Strong interpersonal relationship skills and a proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively in small teams and a diverse set of stakeholders toward the achievement of common goals. 4. Effectiveness at developing and negotiating the implementation of recommendations with NSF staff and award Recipients related to improving project management as well as NSF oversight and assurance.
Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.
Relocation Expenses will not be paid.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least “Very Good” on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources
Veteran's Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
For additional information on the NSF eRecruit system, please visit our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.
Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher.
In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.
If you are an NSF employee on or eligible for a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status. All applicants are required to provide a resume, in any format they choose. Cover letters are optional.
If you are not an NSF employee as described above, but you are eligible under merit promotion, under an Interchange Agreements, under a non-competitive authority, or under a similar authority, you will be required to submit supporting documentation. This will typically require the submission of one or more of the following documents:
1. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50s) or comparable federal agency forms to verify your eligibility for reinstatement and/or grade/step/salary if you are a current or former permanent federal civil service employee.
• SF-50 must indicate that appointment is/was to a competitive service position with permanent tenure or conditional tenure within the last three years; OR, to a similar position in the excepted service at an agency that has an Interchange Agreement.
• An example of a comparable agency form is a personnel action from a DOD Non-appropriated Fund organization or from the US Postal Service for a current and continuing appointment without a break in service.
• Documents that are NOT comparable and NOT acceptable substitutes for a SF-50 include a SF-52, a Performance Appraisal form, a Personnel Action Request (PAR), or a Request for Personnel Action (RPA).
2. Performance appraisals and awards. If you do not possess or are unable to submit a performance appraisal at the time of application submission, further requests will be made during the interview and selection process.
3. DD-214 (Member-4 copy); and if applicable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Notice of Compensable Disability Rating from applicants requesting consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Veteran Recruitment Act (VRA), or the disabled veterans appointing authority.
4. Schedule A Certification – from applicants requesting consideration under the Schedule A appointing authority for disabled applicants.
5. Other – Documentation which verifies you are eligible to be appointed to a permanent position in the federal competitive civil service.
If you are requesting consideration under a Special Hiring Authority listed below, you must submit the required documentation as outlined in the regulation or Executive Order. Please also annotate your application to reflect that you are applying under a special hiring authority. If you are requesting consideration under a Special Hiring Authority not listed below, please email eRecruit@nsf.gov or reach out to the point of contact listed on the vacancy announcement.
• Returned Peace Corp Volunteers
• Certain Military Spouses (Executive Order 13473)
• Former Overseas Employees
• Foreign Service Employees
• Career Service Employees
• Postal Rate Commission Employees
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employees
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employees
If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) or
CTAP, you must submit documentation provided by your current or former employing agency verifying your eligibility for that program. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-8044 for assistance.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
We highly recommend that all candidates opt to receive email notifications for job status updates.
You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/577147000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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If you are intrigued by the idea of working at a unique federal agency that has a tremendous impact on the funding and advancement of science, engineering and education, then the National Science Foundation is the place for you. In addition to funding research in traditional academic areas, NSF also supports innovative ideas, novel collaborations and numerous projects that may seem like science fiction today, but become the reality of tomorrow.
NSF has the advantages of a small agency environment that fosters collaboration, creativity and opportunities to contribute to major agency-wide projects. Consistently ranked by its employees as one of the top federal agencies in managing its workforce, NSF maintains a creative, flexible, and collegial atmosphere and is respected in both the federal and scientific arenas for its work in promoting science, technology, education and management best practices. Join our team at one of the best places to work in the federal government and use your knowledge and imagination to keep NSF at the frontier of discovery!
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