Job Summary
This announcement is for a Biologist in theDirectorate of Biology,Division of Environmental Biology.The Division of Environmental Biology at NSF, supports research and training on evolutionary and ecological processes acting at the level of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems.
Major Duties
The incumbent serves in a developmental capacity with responsibilities for the scientific and analytical support to the Directorate on end-to-end merit review and award management and oversight processes. Specifically:
PROGRAM ANALYSIS AND REPORTING:
- Serves as an analytical resource for scientific attributes of the Directorate portfolio and answers questions about how to access critical program data and analytical information. Develops, maintains, and updates program databases, (e.g., reviewer database, outreach/site visit database, facilities database), including the assignment of scientific attributes, such as expertise of the reviewers and outcomes of outreach and site visits.
- Gathers raw data from multiple scientific sources, such as literature databases and scientific databases in order to design queries; and analyzes and presents findings to management for analysis of scientific and infrastructure trends and business process improvement.
- Prepares analytical, comparative and statistical reports of program activities and scientific accomplishments in biological and related sciences, including analysis and reporting of scientific impacts of the Directorate investments.
- Conducts program analysis of the different areas of biosciences supported by the Directorate. Drafts routine analyses, reports and presentations for other staff review and use.
MERIT REVIEW:
- Works with other staff to organize and oversee the proposal review process and on the classification of scientific areas in each portfolio.
- Responds to routine or complex inquiries from principal investigators/reviewers related to programmatic issues requiring professional scientific knowledge and judgment about research policy.
- Manages technical preparation for Advisory Committee and Committee of Visitors meetings (e.g., data collection, data analysis, preparation of portfolio analyses in scientific areas of strategic importance).
OUTREACH AND COORDINATION:
- Identifies outreach needs from the research community and works with other staff to develop outreach plans, and interfaces with other Divisions/Directorates to plan and coordinate outreach/site visit activities.
- Oversees the coordination of logistical support for outreach activities and workshops; and drafts technical materials related to NSF supported research activities for presentations, tutorials, workshops, training, and poster sessions.
- May represent NSF by staffing booths at workshops and conferences, answering questions and providing information.
BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT:
- Works collaboratively with other team members to restructure work process, standardize procedures, and implement changes for organizations supported.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of administrative procedures and the consistency of their contributions to the accomplishment of organization/program goals and objectives.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
- Plans, develops, coordinates, organizes, implements, communicates, and tracks project plans, guidelines, procedures and timetables, including recommending changes in policy and management activities for these projects.
- Performs management studies to evaluate and measure the progress and success of projects assigned to identify and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of cross-directorate programs and activities.
- Collects pertinent statistical data and narrative information from a variety of sources within and outside NSF.
- Participates in management meetings held to make decisions with regard to modifying or initiating programs or projects.
Competencies:
- Program Analysis and Reporting
- Policy Implementation and Organization Performance
- Customer Service and Communication
- Teamwork
- Project Management and Special Activities
Qualifications
You must have the basic education and/or experience requirement as follows: 1. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement described above, you must have: For the GS-9 level, you must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: researching and retrieving biological and scientific information from databases and other sources of information and precedents; independently preparing routine spreadsheet reports; developing, maintaining and updating program databases; participating in the grant proposal review process; and screening incoming grant proposals for accuracy of information;OR A Master's degree in biological science or a field directly related; OR Completion of at least 2 years of graduate education in an accredited college or university in Biology or a field directly related; OR Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience that meets the total experience requirements.
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the federal service. Examples of specialized experience include providing scientific and analytical support for merit review and award management and oversight processes; preparing analytical and statistical reports of program activities and scientific accomplishments in biological sciences; and scientific and technical analysis, documentation, and writing in support of reports and presentations regarding the biological research portfolios. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience that meets the total experience requirements.
Pay Range
$59,534.00 - $93,638.00