Summary
The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidate for a Staff Associate position for the Office of the Director (OD), Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (CRSSP) in Alexandria, VA.
For more information on OD click here.
For more information on CRSSP click here.
ANNOUNCEMENT AMENDMENT: This announcement has been amended to reflect a new maximum salary for the AD-4 to $195,000.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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
The Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (OCRSSP) aims to strengthen the nation’s research enterprise by safeguarding NSF-funded research. OCRSSP works closely with other U.S. federal funding agencies, and the law enforcement and intelligence communities – consistently emphasizing the importance of balancing research security with international collaboration in science and engineering. OCRSSP has dedicated considerable effort and resources to working with the research community and its other partners to:
- Equip researchers with the information and tools necessary to ensure that their work is protected.
- Clarify security issues and mitigate risks.
- Foster transparency, disclosure and other practices that reflect the values of research integrity.
The Policy Analyst will be a member of the team in the Office of the Director (OD), assisting the Chief of Research Security and Strategy (CRSSP) in the formulation of the agency’s policy, legal, and operational issues with respect to research security. The Policy Analyst will help establish and maintain policies that find the appropriate balance that protects intellectual property and pre-publication information while sustaining an open scientific research environment. The successful candidate will interact with other federal and state agencies and the research community and will implement the policies and practices necessary for maintaining the security of fundamental and use-inspired research in the NSF context.
MAJOR DUTIES
- Serve as a standing member of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Research Security subcommittee. Engage with NSTC subcommittee members, foreign governments, and foreign and domestic stakeholders in all areas related to research security.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for policy analysis, development, and implementation that supports NSF’s contribution to the NSTC Research Security subcommittee.
- Coordinate with the NSF Policy Office and Office of the General Counsel in development and execution of implementation plans for new research security requirements, balancing the minimization of administrative burden while establishing necessary protections for the research enterprise.
- Serve as principal advisor to the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (CRSSP) analyzing, developing, and implementing policies and guidance related to research security at the NSF, including but not limited to National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), associated implementation guidance, and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
- Prepare written materials, research and write reports or other working documents on complex program issues providing expert guidance or analysis related to research security.
- Provide advice on the interpretation of the laws, regulations, guidance and policies and make recommendations and decisions related to policy formulation related to research security.
- Develop outreach materials in collaboration with the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs regarding research security policy for use in communication with the research community, federal agencies, and Congressional stakeholders.
A Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance is required in order to receive, understand, and act upon highly classified information related to research security and to appropriately use that information when conducting research security analytics efforts. Scientific research security topics are of strong interest to many other U.S. federal agencies, including the national security, defense, and intelligence communities, as well as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Consequently, these agencies and organizations call upon the incumbent to provide analysis, analytics and data that is important for classified meetings at which attendance is restricted to individuals with Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) clearance; the incumbent offers important expertise in technical areas, data analysis, and analytics and contributes to discussion of classified applications of funded technologies and innovations. Such meetings and discussions are of direct relevance to the mission of NSF, i.e., “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; [ and] to secure the national defense.”
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 position is in not in the bargaining unit.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate 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 an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, eight or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.
Appropriate fields include Biology, Computer Science, Physical Science, STEM Education, Mathematics or Social Science.
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.
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.
- 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
- Knowledge of NSF’s and OCRSSP’s mission and programmatic activities.
- In-depth understanding of U.S. research security policy and the organizations responsible for establishing said policy.
- Ability to cooperate and work with peers across government agencies and national security and/or scientific disciplines.
- Ability to communicate results of research and analysis for policy recommendations.
- 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.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
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
Email
erecruit@nsf.gov
Address
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 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.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
All applicants must submit a resume in any format and may also submit a cover letter.
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
erecruit@nsf.gov
Address
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 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.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request