PROGRAM MANAGER (STATION MANAGER, ANTARCTICA), AD-0340-04 Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. OPP-25-12807180 Department National Science Foundation
Salary $173,190.00 to $207,500.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/29/2025 Close Date 10/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

This position is for a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) for the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) Section in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP). The Station Manager provides on-site, day-to-day oversight of Antarctic station operations from McMurdo and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field locations.

For more information about GEO, click here.
For more information about OPP, click here.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all US citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements. Please see the "Other Information" section for further information.

Duties

As a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) you will alternate between on-ice assignments at McMurdo Station and off-ice program support in the United States. Each assignment period will span six (6) months. During these rotations, you will be responsible for the following duties:

Off-Ice (non-deployment periods)
When not deployed, the Station Manager participates in planning, review, and training activities, including but not limited to:

  • Attending the Annual Planning Meeting with USAP agencies and partners.
  • Participating in projects, programs, or budget reviews.
  • Completing required training and readiness activities.
On-Ice (deployment periods)
While deployed at McMurdo Station, the Station Manager:
  • Serves as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, authorized to search, detain, and arrest for specific offenses alleged to have been committed by U.S. persons at any Antarctic location.
  • Provides daily oversight of infrastructure and facility operations at McMurdo Station and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field sites.
  • Prioritizes efforts when resource conflicts or limitations occur.
  • Provides technical direction, where applicable, to contractors on station operations.
  • Coordinates closely with AIL colleagues to ensure mission requirements are met.
  • Implements and enforces regulations on conservation, environmental protection, and compliance with permits issued under USAP auspices.
  • Maintains internal controls on support aspects of USAP to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, in accordance with OMB Circular A-123.
  • May serve as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), representing OPP in monitoring contractor performance under various contracts and agreements.
  • Provides regular written and oral status updates to AIL staff and leadership.
  • Serves as Director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies or Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
  • Conducts program performance reviews and compliance audits of USAP support contractors.
  • Coordinates with international Antarctic programs as necessary.
  • Deploys to other Antarctic stations as directed.
Service as NSF Representative, Antarctica
When delegated, the Station Manager assumes the duties of the NSF Representative, Antarctica, which include:
  • Coordinating NSF science and contractor requirements with other USAP organizations (including Commander, Support Forces Antarctica).
  • Advising OPP leadership on progress and challenges in operations relative to program plans.
  • Serving as on-site federal representative for oversight and direction of NSF contractor activities at McMurdo, South Pole, and inland field sites.
  • Coordinating with the NSF Science Representative to ensure adequate support for all domestic and international Antarctic research programs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

This position is outside the competitive civil service.

Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination according to standards used for U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) medical/dental screening for travel to Antarctica. Please review the Office of Polar Program Physical Qualification (PQ) Guidelines that can be found here.

After onboarding, appointment is contingent upon successful completion of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Course.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.

Qualifications

The Station Manager must hold an advanced degree and possess significant operational leadership experience. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least six (6) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.; OR A Master's degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least eight (8) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.

Relevant disciplines include civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, or electronics engineering; facilities operations and management; or a closely related field. This should be complemented by professional experience aligned with the mission of the Office of Polar Programs or directly relevant to the responsibilities of the position.

Must demonstrate the ability to:
  • Manage large-scale, complex operations in remote or austere environments.
  • Lead and oversee multidisciplinary teams.
  • Direct logistics, infrastructure operations, and research station support.
  • Apply knowledge of contracts, interagency agreements, or cooperative partnerships.
  • Exercise independent judgment and decision-making under high-risk and resource constrained conditions.
Highly desired experience will be considered:
  • Direct leadership experience in polar, expeditionary, or extreme-environment operations.
  • Proven ability to manage remote research stations, large field programs, or comparable facilities in isolated settings.
  • Expertise in emergency management, search and rescue coordination, or law enforcement authority in support of federal operations.
  • Experience serving as a federal representative in interagency, international, or contractor oversight roles.
  • Demonstrated success in resolving complex logistical and operational challenges involving multiple stakeholders, including international partners, the U.S. military, contractors, and research organizations.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

Additional information

Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.

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. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions

This announcement is open to All US Citizens 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

Required Documents

All applicants must submit a resume in any format. Resume length should be limited to no more than two pages. It is also highly encouraged that applicants submit a cover letter detailing experience relevant to the position.

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 upload 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. Additionally, you are encouraged to list all applicable awards either in your CV or in a supplemental statement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials. If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, you MUST submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.

All uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete and submit an application online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website at https://www.USAJOBS.gov. An account must be established at the OPM website following the instructions provided in order to apply for the position. Once you have completed the USAJOBS process, you will be re-directed to the USA Staffing system to complete your application process, answer the online questions, and submit all required documents. Applications submitted other than the USAJOBS online application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED under this announcement.
- Your application and all supporting documents must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying online for this position will be able to apply until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. Please allow adequate time to complete your application.
-If you encounter technical difficulties during the process, please submit a USA Staffing Help Ticket for assistance. If you have technical difficulties applying to the vacancy on the USAJOBS website, click on Contact USAJOBS. It is suggested that you do not wait until the last day to apply for a vacancy announcement. We will not accept applications other than those submitted through USAJOBS.
- As the applicant, it is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and submitted is received and is accurate. Ensure that your application includes the required documents listed under "Required Documents" and that they are uploaded in the appropriate fields.
- If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of this application and hiring process, please notify the point of contact on this job opportunity announcement.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

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.

Agency contact information

Staffing and Classification Branch
Address
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF POLAR PROGRAMS
2415 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA 22314
US

Next steps

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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