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The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for a Science Education Administrator (Program Director) position for the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program in the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), Alexandria, VA.
For more information on EHR please click here.
For more information DRL please click here.
Learn more about this agency12/01/2021 to 01/11/2022
$148,933 - $190,947 per year
AD 04
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Yes—Relocation MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds.
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
04
No
No
DRL-2022-0004
624690000
Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.
DRL is seeking Program Director(s) with expertise in Informal Science Education.
The Program Director(s) selected for this position will work primarily in the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program. AISL supports innovative research, evaluation, and practice across the full domain of informal learning settings and across the human lifespan. This includes the development of theory, methods, measurement, innovation, and capacity building in informal STEM learning environments. A major goal of the program is to enhance the science and practice of broadening participation in STEM in informal learning environments.
NSF Program Directors have an unparalleled opportunity and responsibility to ensure NSF funded activities are at the forefront of advancing fundamental knowledge. In support of that, Program Directors are responsible for extensive interaction with informal and formal educational organizations, academic and industry research communities, 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 proposals; make funding recommendations; administer awards; and undertake interaction with research and learning communities across many sectors and subsectors. They are also responsible for service to the Foundation-wide activities and initiatives that together accomplish NSF’s strategic goals to:
1) Expand knowledge in science, engineering, and learning.
2) Advance the capability of the Nation to meet current and future challenges.
3) Enhance NSF’s performance of its mission.
The position requires a commitment to high intellectual and ethical standards, a considerable breath of interest, receptivity to new ideas, an understanding of and commitment to broadening participation, and a strong sense of fairness, good judgement, and a high degree of personal integrity.
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 (Foreign Talent Definitions). 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.
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.
You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.
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 position is in the bargaining unit.
Please preview "Evaluations" section and "Qualifications" for additional requirements and Quality Ranking Factors.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Related Fields, plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master’s degree in Related Fields, plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
A related field includes science, technology, engineering, or mathematics education, education research, the learning sciences, or a STEM-related field, or fields associated with informal education or public engagement with STEM.
A successful candidate will have experience in one or more of the following: (1) research and development with an emphasis on (a) adult learning and development, (b) early childhood STEM learning, and/or (c) positive youth development and STEM learning; (2) research on identity, interest, and engagement in the context of STEM in informal settings; (3) research and development with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion in informal settings; (4) research and development on STEM learning in informal environments; and/or (5) the science of science communication. The ability to mentor or support researchers and developers in the area and to evaluate proposals and work products are essential. Ideal candidates will have expertise or experience in a STEM discipline and/or have worked in an informal STEM learning organization. Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies is highly desired.
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Relocation expenses MAY be paid contingent upon the availability of funds
This announcement is open to (All US Citizens OR current NSF employees) who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens 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 not be considered.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used.
We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.
Quality Ranking Factors
All applicants must submit a resume in any format, and may also submit a cover letter.
In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.
You should upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@nsf.gov; please ask him/her to put your name and the job announcement number in the subject line.
Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials.
All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.
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 must be submitted online and all document uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy 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.
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.
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) 292-5090 for assistance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.
Shortly after the announcement closes, you will be notified as to whether or not you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you do, you will receive further consideration and evaluation. If the position is in the bargaining unit, and your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be contacted for an interview if interviews are conducted. Interviews for positions not in the bargaining unit may be conducted at the discretion of the selecting official. All qualified applicants will receive final notification of the outcome of the job opportunity announcement.
You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website.
Applicants should click ‘Track this Application’ in the Applicant Dashboard to receive application updates.
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/624690000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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