Summary
The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for an Interdisciplinary (Supervisory Program Director) position for the Statistics and Methods program (SMP) within the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) in Alexandria, VA.
For more information on SBE please click here.
For more information on NCSES please 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
Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Director plans, administers, and evaluates the overall program through their own work, staff assignments, and contractual arrangements with the primary objective of providing policy makers with high quality, timely, accurate and relevant data to fulfill the mission of NCSES related to the S&E enterprise. This position provides key leadership in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data and analysis on the U.S. science and engineering ecosystem, often in a global context. This high-profile leadership position also represents NCSES and NSF widely in the federal government and research community. The position advises on statistical and survey methodological topics and oversees the statistical review and approval of all NCSES products including nationally-representative surveys, administrative data, and congressionally mandated reports. The Program Director will work across NCSES to produce policy-relevant, policy-neutral products that uphold the standards of NCSES's role as a principal statistical agency including accuracy, timeliness, and objectivity. This is a key position in the collection of data and production of products that informs policy formulation and drives societal progress toward strengthening science, technology, and innovation for the nation.
Statistics and Methods Program (also called the Statistics, Methods, and Innovation Program)
The Program Director is responsible for statistical and methodological consultation for NCSES on a wide variety of projects and surveys. The Program Director carries out the specific tasks and responsibilities of the program both through their own work and through delegation to subordinates. The Program Director is responsible for providing guidance on data and product quality including consultation on all statistical and methodological aspects of surveys, analytical and research projects, database systems, reports, and presentations designed and conducted by NCSES staff.
The duties of this position are as follows:
- Directs and mentors staff's work on statistical, methodological, and research activities in support of the sample design, data collection, processing, and analysis of NCSES surveys and related activities.
- Ensures all NCSES statistical activities and products adhere to the NCSES Statistical Standards (https://ncses.nsf.gov/126/assets/91/files/statistical-standards-information-products.pdf).
- Ensures that data concepts, definitions, taxonomies, etc., are consistent across NCSES surveys, analyses, and related activities.
- Develops and maintains time schedules and project management systems and information for statistical and methodological aspects of surveys and analytical and research projects.
- Assures that staff develop and maintain appropriate statistical and methodological skills to provide expert consultation to NCSES, NSF, and the broader community.
- Responsible for monitoring contracts and grants as assigned by the Chief Statistician, Deputy Division Director, and Division Director.
- Serves as a member of the NCSES leadership team and participates in Division-wide decision formation related to budget, publications systems, special studies, and team activities.
Coordination and Representation
- Coordinates projects with representatives of other agencies and organizations related to statistical and methodological activities.
- Represents the NCSES Chief Statistician, Deputy Division Director, and Division Director and the Foundation at meetings and conferences.
General Administrative, Supervision, and Evaluation
- Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of six to ten subordinate professional and technical positions in grades GS-13 to 15/AD 3-4.
- As supervisor, the incumbent must understand and be sensitive to and support the objectives of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program and the needs and aspirations of each individual employee.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
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
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in survey research, statistics, mathematics, social sciences or a related field, plus after award of the Ph.D., six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master's degree in survey research, statistics, mathematics, social sciences or a related field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
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.
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. 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
- Expert knowledge of advanced mathematical statistical and survey methodologies and demonstrated experience in their application to the conduct of large scale demographic and economic census and sample surveys.
- Demonstrated experience in managing a diverse staff of survey methodologists and mathematical statisticians engaged in both a research and production environment and providing leadership to staff working on one or more statistical projects. Evidence of successfully managing several contractors may partially substitute for direct supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience in evaluating the statistical quality of reports and publications created from a variety of external sources such as surveys, censuses, and administrative databases. Experience in analyzing and summarizing statistical and survey data and other relevant scientific and/or administrative data to prepare reports and guides for technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated experience as a leader in developing statistical business processes that incorporate best practices required to produce official statistics. This work includes evaluating existing products and practices for statistical and methodological quality, developing statistical guidelines and quality standards, developing a research agenda for the Center, providing expertise on decisions and priorities regarding the statistical and survey methods used in censuses and surveys, and working collaboratively and effectively with other staff in formulating and implementing the overall policies and programs of the organization.
- Demonstrated experience in resource management, both fiscal and personnel, for a program that encompasses multiple activities. Such experience should include developing and monitoring the implementation of budgets and knowledge of and experience with federal procurement and contracting procedures and regulations.
Required Documents
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
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.
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.