Application timeline
Position Summary
The Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) announces a nationwide search for rotator Program Directors across several of its programs at the National Science Foundation. NSF Program Directors bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Agency’s overall mission – to support innovative and merit-reviewed projects in basic research and education that contribute to the nation’s technical strength, security, and welfare. To discharge this responsibility requires not only knowledge in the appropriate STEM and education fields, but also a commitment to high standards, a considerable breadth of interest in and receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.
Formal consideration of applications will begin on March 20, 2023 and will continue until selections are made.
Position Description
EES is interested in candidates who have the knowledge and experience working with a diverse group of individuals, have expertise in one of the STEM disciplines or in STEM education, and in promoting diversity in STEM with emphasis on broadening participation of underrepresented groups and institutional capacity building. The successful candidates will have the ability to provide leadership across NSF and in the external scientific community. This program officer position will be assigned to work with at least two EES programs and activities noted here: Excellence Awards in Science and Engineering (EASE), which is made up of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST ) programs, NSF’s Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES program (INCLUDES), EES activities to broaden the participation of persons with disabilities in STEM and STEM Education (PWD), or Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP). The incumbent will also have the opportunity to contribute to other EES/EDU programs.
The Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) serves as a focal point for NSF's agency-wide commitment to enhancing the quality and excellence of STEM education and research through broadening participation by historically underrepresented groups - minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Priority is placed on investments that promise innovation and transformative strategies that focus on creating and testing models that ensure the full participation of and provide opportunities for the educators, researchers, and institutions dedicated to serving these populations. Programs and activities within EES have a strong focus on partnerships and collaborations to maximize the preparation of a well-trained scientific and instructional workforce for the new millennium. The EASE, INCLUDES, TCUP, and PWD are some of the programs activities within the EES that support these priorities.
Excellence Awards in Science and Engineering (EASE) Program: The EASE is made up of the PAESMEM and PAEMST programs who recognize the men and women who educate our children and youngsters at the K-12 level, and those who provide the important component of mentoring to ensure completion of education and successful career building (https://www.nsf.gov/edu/EASE.jsp). The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) honors those individuals and groups that have enhanced the participation of individuals from historically underrepresented groups and disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who might not otherwise have considered or have access to opportunities in STEM disciplines and professions. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) recognizes outstanding teachers of mathematics and science. By honoring teachers and mentors with a Presidential award for excellence in their practice, the Federal Government acknowledges their importance to the health and prosperity of the nation - the two key strategic missions of the National Science Foundation. NSF administers these awards program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
INCLUDES: This program started as one the NSF’s 10 Big Ideas in 2016. It is a comprehensive national initiative to enhance U.S. leadership in STEM discoveries and innovations, focused on NSF’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in these fields. In 2021, NSF INCLUDES was renamed as NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES in honor of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (INCLUDES), who championed inclusion and diversity in STEM. The vision of INCLUDES is to catalyze the STEM enterprise to work collaboratively for inclusive change, resulting in a STEM workforce that reflects the diversity of the Nation’s population. More specifically, INCLUDES seeks to improve collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the preparation, increasing the participation, and ensuring the contributions of individuals from groups that have been historically underrepresented and underserved in the STEM enterprise such as African Americans, Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific Islanders, persons with disabilities, persons from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and women and girls. Significant advancement in the inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM will result in a new generation of STEM talent and leadership to secure our nation’s future and long-term economic competitiveness (https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/inclusion-across-nation-comm… ).
Tribal Colleges and University Program (TCUP): The TCUP provides awards to federally recognized Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, linguistics, economics and bioeconomics, statistics, and other social and behavioral sciences; natural sciences; computer science, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and cybersecurity), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), STEM education, research, and outreach. (https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/tribal-colleges-universities…)
EES activities to broaden the participation of persons with disabilities in STEM and STEM Education (PWD): EES provides awards to advance STEM and STEM education engagement, access, and research by and about persons with disabilities. Funding is provided by EES programs to support awards in response to two NSF dear colleague letters: Dear Colleague Letter 21-110: Persons with Disabilities – STEM Engagement and Access (https://www.nsf.gov/ehr/PWDSEAPrograms.jsp) and Dear Colleague Letter 21-114: Research to Improve STEM Teaching, Learning, and Workforce Development for Persons with Disabilities( https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21114/nsf21114.jsp?org=NSF).
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.
Candidates must have a Ph.D. or Doctorate degree in a scientific discipline supported by the NSF, plus at least six years of successful post-Ph.D. research, research administration, and/or managerial experience relevant to the EASE and INCLUDES Programs. Ideal candidates must have significant experience in teaching and research at the K-12 school level, undergraduate level, graduate level, or in a community college environment, as well as demonstrated administrative experience in higher education. The individual selected must be able to interact on a peer basis with senior scientific and managerial personnel throughout NSF, other Federal agencies, academia, and the private sector.
Desirable characteristics include knowledge of the general scientific community and minority serving institutions, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong skills in written and oral communication skills. All appointees are expected to function effectively both within specific programs and as part of a team, contributing to and coordinating with offices throughout the Foundation and with other Federal and state government agencies and private sector organizations.
You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position. 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:
- Ability to design, plan, coordinate and manage a complex portfolio and program deliverables to achieve organizational objectives.
- Ability to manage an externally-reviewed proposal-driven grants program, allocating resources to meet a spectrum of program goals.
- Research, analytical, presentation, and technical writing skills that evidence the ability to communicate effectively with representatives from the STEM education community, K-12 schools, state, local and federal government, and other organizations to develop and advocate programs, policies, and plans.
- Ability to interact, on a peer basis, with senior scientific and managerial personnel throughout NSF, other Federal agencies, academia and the private sector.
Applicants should indicate which programs they are applying to within the cover letter and subject line of the email. Please submit a current CV and statement of interest to eesrecruit@nsf.gov or contact Shelitia Holland at sholland@nsf.gov.
Vacancy Contact:
Shelitia Holland