Application timeline
Position Summary
The Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) is offering a detail opportunity to serve as the Senior Advisor for Facilities, Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Office of the Assistant Director (OAD). This detail is open to all qualified permanent NSF employees. The initial appointment will be 120-days, with the possibility to extend up to one year. For purposes of pay and benefits, the selectee will continue to encumber the position from which detailed. Further, the individual selected will be required to file an “Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report” (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 at the beginning and completion of the detail assignment.
MPS coordinates the investment of $1.6 billion annually for research and education projects in the mathematical and physical sciences and related areas. Through a staff of approximately 180 in five divisions and the Office of Strategic Initiatives, it provides program support in astronomical sciences, chemistry, materials science, mathematical sciences, and physics. MPS also oversees the management of the largest number of Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) scale projects and major multi-user facilities, through their full life cycle.
The Senior Advisor for Facilities (SAF) serves to advise the MPS Assistant Director (AD) on all aspects of MREFC-scale facilities design and development, construction, and operations and maintenance, as well as coordination of mid-scale activities. In doing so, the SAF is a resource for general institutional knowledge concerning NSF policy, procedures, practice, and culture. He/she will work closely with the Office of the Chief Officer for Research Facilities, Research Infrastructure Office, and other science directorates. The SAF also serves as a member of the MPS senior staff, providing advice to the AD and Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) on other related issues.
Position Description
The SAF serves as a member of the directorate leadership team and, as such, assists the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director by providing scientific and strategic analysis and program planning for all MPS scientific facilities. The SAF must possess a Ph.D. and have a strong, fundamental understanding of a broad range of scientific research, including astronomy, physics, and materials research conducted by the MPS facilities. Major duties include:
• Works closely with all directorate senior leaders and agency officials to plan, facilitate, evaluate, and oversee broad and complex directorate-wide activities related to MPS scientific facilities.
• Engages in strategic planning and oversees budget preparation and evaluation for the entire PS facilities portfolio including midscale activities.
• Provides guidance to the Assistant Director on strategic assessment of projects, including readiness for Director's Review Board (DRB) and National Science Board (NSB) actions, need for advisory structures, coordination with other agencies; working with MPS OAD, and the Office of the Director (OD) in developing process for assessing priorities of large projects across MPS disciplines.
• Coordinates and oversees the facilities-related interface between MPS and other offices and functions within NSF such as the Office of the Chief Officer for Research Facilities (OCORF), Research Infrastructure Office (RIO), Director's Review Board (DRB), National Science Board Office (NSBO), Office of General Counsel (OGC), Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support (DACS), and Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA).
• Provides assistance in all planning and preparation of the MPS facilities and MREFC project sections of the NSF budget, as well as material requested by the RIO, OD, and the NSB and its various committees including the Committee on Awards and Facilities.
• Mentors and coaches MPS senior leadership and staff on complex facilities-related issues and events that occur over the full life cycle of major research facilities.
• Maintaining awareness, through strong communication with the managing units, of plans for all major projects and NSF-conducted facility reviews. Through the SAF, the MPS OAD is consulted on the charge and review committee membership for such reviews.
• Provides critical analyses and assists in the development of NSB packages and NSB presentations as needed: providing guidance to ensure that the strategic view of projects within the overall NSF science portfolio is presented, that management plans of the projects and NSF are effective and robust, that appropriate responses are planned in case of difficulties developing in the project. In addition, will provide guidance on the response to critiques from DRB and NSB.
• Working with MPS facilities and projects, facilities in other directorates, and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure to assess common needs and to make recommendations on how to best leverage the emerging national cyberinfrastructure, strengthening the projects while facilitating collaborative, compute- and data-driven science activities enabled by large facilities.
• Oversees the MPS master schedule for all NSB approvals and information items associated with MPS MREFC projects and MREFC-scale facilities, including allowance of time for adequate MPS OAD review; DRB submissions and subsequent revision, presentation dry runs, etc.
The position requires an individual with a strong work ethic and initiative; and excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and project management skills. Additional requirements include:
Ph.D. in a field of science or engineering or equivalent professional experience in a field related to the NSF mission or in a field relevant to the duties required.
QUALITY RANKING FACTORS: Final ranking is based on an evaluation of experience, education, and training as they relate to the knowledge, skills and abilities specified in the following factors:
- Experience working with facilities-related projects, events, and relevant stakeholders.
- Significant involvement in policy, budgeting, planning, and project management related to scientific research facilities.
- Superior skill in applying analytic reasoning to complex issues and problems, identifying the key priorities, solutions, and options, and making recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and express complex issues and ideas in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with high-level staff and those in other stakeholder organizations.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of NSF's mission, goals, policies, procedures, and processes.
Interested applicants must submit a resume and a narrative statement addressing their background in terms of the qualification requirements. Applications must be received by 11:59 P.M. on the closing date. Applications may be submitted electronically to:
Krystal Mendenhall
Email: kmendenh@nsf.gov
Phone: (703) 292-4345