Dear Colleague Letter: Division of Ocean Sciences, for Associate Program Directors in Biological Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, Physical Oceanography

Employment Opportunity--Dear Colleague Letter
Date: March 16, 2009
Dear Colleague:

The Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE), Ocean Section (OS) announces a nationwide search to fill Associate Program Director positions for the Programs of:

- Biological Oceanography (BioOCE),
- Chemical Oceanography (ChemOCE), and
- Physical Oceanography (PhysOCE).

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Associate Program Directors help administer specific research areas. They are NSF program managers who help solicit, receive, and review research and education proposals, make funding recommendations, and administer awards. They are also responsible for interaction with other Federal Agencies forming and guiding interagency collaborations and for service to Foundation-wide activities.

NSF program managers bear the primary responsibility for carrying out the Foundation’s overall mission to support innovative and merit-evaluated activities in fundamental research and education that contribute to the nation’s technological strength, security and welfare. The positions require a commitment to high standards of intellectualism and ethical conduct, a considerable breadth of interest, receptivity to new ideas, a strong sense of fairness, good judgment, and a high degree of personal integrity.

These positions are open until filled.  Formal consideration of interested applicants will begin May 1, 2009 and will continue until a selection is made.  Persons wishing to apply for this position are referred to the Section Head (listed below) and to the Divisional webpage http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=OCE, for a description of the Programs.  Interested persons are also encouraged to contact the Program Director below, who are also listed on the program web pages, for more information.

Biological Oceanography	-	Dr. David Garrison
Chemical Oceanography	-	Dr. Donald Rice
Physical Oceanography	-	Dr. Eric Itsweire

Qualifications of a successful candidate include a PhD degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, an established record of research and education in a field appropriate to the position, and managerial experience in academe, industry or government, plus at least four years of successful research and research administration. The position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and familiarity with NSF programs and activities is highly desirable. The incumbent is expected to function effectively, both as an individual within the specific NSF program, and as a member of crosscutting and interactive team. The incumbent must also demonstrate a capability to work across government agencies to promote NSF activities and to leverage program funds through interagency collaborations.

Associate Program Director positions recruited under this announcement may be filled with one of the following appointment options:

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.   The individual remains an employee of the home institution, and NSF provides funding toward the assignee’s salary and benefits.

Visiting Scientist Appointment.  Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act.  Visiting Scientists are on non-paid leave status from their home institution and appointed to NSF’s payroll as Federal employees.  NSF withholds Social Security taxes and pays the home institution’s contributions to maintain retirement and fringe benefits (i.e., health benefits and life insurance), either directly to the home institution or to the carrier.

Temporary Excepted Service Appointment.  Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act.  Candidates who do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not obtain civil service status if selected.  Candidates currently in the competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected.  Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health benefits, and life insurance) are applicable for appointments of more than one year.

For additional information about NSF’s rotational programs, please see the section “ROTATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND EDUCATORS” on the NSF website at http://www.nsf.gov/about/career_opps.

Applicants for the Associate Program Director positions should indicate in the cover letter that they are applying to the BioOCE, ChemOCE, or PhysOCE program. Please submit your application to:  

Oceanography Associate Program Directors Search
Dr. Phillip Taylor, Head of the Ocean Section
Division of Ocean Sciences
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230

Applications also will be received electronically. Please make electronic submissions to prtaylor@nsf.gov.