Program Specialist, NF

Summary This temporary position is located in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE). Program Specialists play a key role at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in monitoring program effectiveness through data management, analysis, communication, outreach, and continuous improvement activities. Responsibilities As a Program Specialist, you will play a key role in monitoring program effectiveness by providing comprehensive analytical support in the areas of proposal processing, logistics, data management and analysis and providing input for continuous improvement to the overall processes. Program Specialists: Assist Program Directors in reviewing proposals to organize into panels, researching, and identifying reviewer pools and supporting technical correspondence. Assist Program Directors in developing outreach plans and presentation methods. Interface with other Divisions/Directorates to plan and coordinate outreach/site visit activities. Conduct literature searches and web-based queries to seek out potential research opportunities. Conduct moderately complex to complex analyses concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of substantive program operations. Gather, analyze, and present data for further program analysis utilizing research trends and results tracking to inform policy related to scientific content. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement to databases, data gathering, and analytical approaches. Provide data input and feed back to strategic support staff as requested or necessary. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a US citizen. Selectee will be required to have a background investigation prior to onboarding. Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. Additional Requirements: Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade/equivalent. You must meet eligibility & qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire & any external assessment that is included. 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 the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403. 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 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. Qualifications To qualify at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service performing technical and analytical support activities to improve the efficiency of program operations. OR A master`s or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR A combination of post-high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-9 level include: engaging in ongoing analysis of business processes to continually identify and recommend solutions to problems; developing and presenting factual evidence both in writing and before an audience to support enhancements in the methods of performing work; reviewing data for trends related to business processes, interpreting those trends, and determining causes and possible courses of action; To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service performing complex analysis in support of program operations. OR possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR possess 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR possess a combination of post-high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position. Examples of specialized experience for the GS-11 level are: analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of business operations and programmatic processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques; choosing, interpreting, or adapting guidelines for application to specific issues or subjects studied; planning and carrying out projects to improve administrative support efficiency/productivity; gathering data and analyzing/evaluating/interpreting trends to enhance work performance; completing reports and making recommendations to managers related to internal administrative operations. Experience refers to paid/unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) & other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, & skills & can provide valuable training/experience that translates directly to paid work. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Education may be substituted for experience as described in "Qualifications." If qualifying based on education, you must submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met. Additional Information This position is for a temporary promotion or detail not-to-exceed 120 days. Appointment may be extended up to 1-year or made permanent. Relocation Expenses will not be paid. This position is in the bargaining unit represented by AFGE Local 3403. 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 Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least "Very Good" on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the VA letter or other required documentation as specified on the SF-15. 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. This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.