National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

NIST Senior Earthquake Engineering Research Positions

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) anticipates recruiting new senior staff members in the earthquake engineering area in support of its role in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). Senior engineers with strong backgrounds in seismic structural design and analysis, development of seismic provisions in national model building codes, structural dynamics, performance-based engineering, numerical modeling of structural behavior, non-linear structural analysis, software development, and building performance and design will be sought to lead comprehensive in-house research programs, manage extramural research efforts, and assist with NEHRP leadership responsibilities.

NIST is interested in senior engineers with earned Ph.D. degrees in the structural engineering field, or equivalent experience, in research and practice. Positions will be filled at grade levels that are commensurate with the individual’s education and experience. Positions will likely be filled at the ZP-V (GS-15) level.

These are excellent opportunities for individuals with strong technical credentials in academia or industry who want to consider public service leadership, are interested in a challenging career in research, and who seek the challenge of participating in developing a new cutting-edge NEHRP research program. For those already in government service, this is an excellent opportunity to work in a premier federal science agency with top-notch scientific and engineering researchers.

The NIST staff includes three Nobel laureates, a MacArthur Fellow winner, a National Medal of Science winner, an astronaut who has flown twice on the Space Shuttle as a mission specialist, and several members of the National Academies. NIST is integral to the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) that was announced by the President in February 2006. The ACI calls for a doubling of the inflation-adjusted budget for NIST's core laboratory and facilities programs over the next decade. BFRL is one of the Nation's primary federal laboratories serving the construction and building industries and has statutory responsibilities for fire prevention and control, earthquake hazards reduction, windstorm impact reduction, and building and fire safety investigations.

NIST would appreciate hearing from candidates as soon as possible, but will entertain applications until the positions are filled. While U.S. citizenship is required for permanent NIST positions, non-U.S. citizens employed by U.S. universities may be considered for assignments to NIST under provisions of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA).

Interested applicants should submit resumes with contact information to Amber Stillrich, email: amber.stillrich@nist.gov, telephone: 301-975-3777. Anyone who needs additional information may contact NEHRP Director Jack Hayes (email: jack.hayes@nist.gov, telephone: 301-975-5640) for the third area.

Employment Information

• Salary and Bonuses
  Salary will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The 2007 annual salary for a ZP-V position ranges from $110,363 to $143,471. Salary limits are typically modified each year based on approved cost of living adjustments. NIST employees are also considered for performance-related pay increases and bonuses as part of the annual performance appraisal process. NIST also has authority to provide recruitment bonuses under certain circumstances.
  
• Benefits
  Federal employees are offered a generous benefits package. This includes a wide choice of health insurance plans, group life insurance, flexible spending accounts for dependent care and medical care, health savings accounts, long-term care insurance, and retirement plan (with a tax-deferred 401K savings plan). Detailed information on these benefit programs may be found at http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/new_employees.asp. A child care center is available on the NIST campus.
  
• Location
  NIST is located on a 578-acre campus about 25 miles from the center of Washington, D.C., in Gaithersburg, MD, just off Interstate 270 in Montgomery County. NIST has free parking on site and is well connected to the Metro (subway) system via a shuttle service for official visitors and staff. The Montgomery County Public Schools are among the finest in the Nation.
  
• Relocation
  Where appropriate, NIST will cover relocation expenses in accordance with federal regulations, such as moving household goods, travel to NIST for the employee and immediate family members, house hunting trip, and temporary living quarters and per diem expenses. NIST will not cover costs associated with real estate transactions such as the purchase or sale of a house.

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