Deputy Office Director (Detail Only)

📍 Alexandria, Virginia · 🏛 National Science Foundation · 💰 $202,542–$209,600 per year · 🎓 AD 5 · 🧭 Social Science (0101) · ⏳ Closes Nov 16, 2026 · 5 days left · 🗓 Posted Nov 9, 2026
Browse: More National Science Foundation jobs · More Social Science jobs · Federal jobs in Virginia

About this job

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified candidates for the Acting Deputy Office Director (Interdisciplinary) detail within the Office of the Director (OD), Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) in Alexandria, VA. For more information on OD please click here. For more information on OISE please click here.

Duties

The Deputy Office Director serves as a senior scientific and organizational leader responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and management oversight for an NSF organizational component. The position requires substantial professional achievement and leadership expertise in one or more NSF-supported scientific, engineering, STEM, social science, education, or interdisciplinary research fields and may be filled under multiple professional occupational series consistent with NSF interdisciplinary leadership positions. The incumbent assists the Office/Directorate Head in managing programs, operations, workforce, resources, and organizational priorities; serves as the principal advisor on management and operational matters; exercises delegated authority for day-to-day operations; supervises staff and subordinate supervisors; and represents the organization internally and externally. The Deputy Office Director may serve as Acting Office/Directorate Head when designated. Major Duties and Responsibilities Provides senior-level leadership and management oversight to ensure the organization's programs, operations, workforce, and resources support NSF's mission and strategic objectives. Provides oversight of organizational programs, projects, and operational activities to ensure quality, integrity, compliance, accountability, and achievement of established objectives. Exercises delegated responsibility for managing organizational resources and advising the Office/Director Head on budget formulation, execution, resource allocation, and long-range planning. Provides direct supervision and leadership to assigned employees and subordinate supervisors and exercises management oversight of workforce planning, performance, development, and accountability within designated organizational areas. Provides management advice and coordinates the implementation of agency policies, requirements, and organizational priorities within assigned areas of responsibility. Provides leadership in identifying, assessing, and mitigating organizational risks and ensuring the integrity of management and operational processes. Leads continuous improvement efforts to strengthen organizational performance, operational effectiveness, and the quality of services and outcomes.

Qualifications

The incumbent must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field; or Master's degree with relevant experience; or equivalent professional experience in a field aligned with the NSF mission. Candidates must demonstrate extensive, progressively responsible experience in scientific research, research administration, or program leadership that includes: Providing leadership and strategic direction for major scientific programs, portfolios, or facilities. Managing or overseeing policy development, budgeting, planning, and project management activities related to scientific research. Identifying emerging scientific trends and recommending programmatic priorities or new directions. Advising senior leadership and interacting on a peer basis with senior scientific and managerial officials across Federal agencies, academia, industry, and international organizations. Applying strong analytical skills to assess complex issues, establish priorities, and develop actionable recommendations. Appointment to this position will be made under the Excepted Authority of the NSF Act. Candidates who do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility will not obtain civil service status if selected. Candidates currently in the competitive service will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected. Usual civil service benefits (retirement, health benefits, and life insurance) are applicable. You must meet eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Experience must demonstrate the ability to exercise independent judgment, influence strategic outcomes, and contribute to organizational leadership at a senior level.

Education

Please refer to the Qualifications section.

Requirements

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. * Applicants do not need to seek their supervisor's approval to apply for this detail opportunity. However, supervisory approval is needed prior to making the detail effective. * Candidates selected for a detail will remain at their current grade and rate of pay. * This detail is for a period of 120-days and may be extended up to one year. *The detail may be terminated at any time during this period. Upon conclusion of the detail, you will be returned to your former office and position/grade. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire and 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. It is NSF policy that personnel employed at, or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) individuals detailed to, NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment and referral to the Office of Inspector General. NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for situational telework. Situational telework may be approved on an occasional basis in accordance with agency policy, supervisory approval, and operational requirements. Selected candidates interested in telework, or other workplace flexibility arrangements, should discuss available options with the selecting official. Participation in telework is voluntary and requires an approved telework agreement.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and research relevant to the duties of the position. In some cases, additional assessment processes may also be used. You are highly encouraged to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process. Quality Ranking Factors 1. Strategic Scientific Leadership Describe your experience providing leadership and strategic direction for major scientific programs, portfolios, or research facilities. Include examples of how you established long-term goals, aligned resources, and ensured mission impact. 2. Program Management, Budgeting, and Policy Oversight Explain your experience managing or overseeing scientific research programs, including responsibilities related to budgeting, policy development, planning, and project execution. What approaches have you used to ensure accountability, efficiency, and successful outcomes? 3. Identification of Emerging Trends and Innovation Provide an example of how you identified emerging scientific trends or gaps and translated that insight into programmatic priorities, new initiatives, or strategic shifts. What impact did your recommendations have? 4. Executive-Level Advising and External Engagement Describe your experience advising senior leadership and collaborating with high-level stakeholders across Federal agencies, academia, industry, or international organizations. How have you influenced decision-making or advanced organizational objectives? 5. Analytical Problem Solving and Decision-Making Discuss a complex scientific or organizational challenge you faced that required strong analytical skills. How did you assess the issue, prioritize competing demands, and develop actionable recommendations? What was the outcome?

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, visit the USAJOBS Help Center. 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.

Applications are handled only on the official announcement. This page is a readable copy of the public announcement data — the official version controls if anything differs.

Apply on USAJobs (official) ↗

Required documents

All applicants are required to submit a legible resume that is no longer than two pages. In addition to the two-page resume, a Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be submitted as a Supplemental Application document. Your application should contain the following information: Information about your education, your major, and type and year of degree(s); and Information about all your work experience, including job titles, duties, and accomplishments, employer's name and phone number, number of hours worked per week, starting and ending dates (month and year), and salary. If you have held various positions with the same employer, describe each separately. You are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter and QRF responses that describe your background in terms of the professional skills associated with this position. 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 resume.

What to expect next

You will receive updates throughout the process notifying you of your status. 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.

Other information

This announcement is open to current NSF federal employees only. If you do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility, you will not obtain civil service status if selected. If you are currently in the competitive civil service, you will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected. This position is excluded from the bargaining unit. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. Only applications submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Frequently asked questions

How much does this Deputy Office Director (Detail Only) job pay?

The announcement lists a salary of $202,542–$209,600 per year (AD 5).

When is the last day to apply?

Applications close on Nov 16, 2026 — 5 days from today.

Where is this job located?

This position is located in Alexandria, Virginia with the National Science Foundation.

How do I apply?

Applications are submitted through the official announcement on USAJobs. Use the Apply button on this page to go to the official posting — this site never takes applications itself.

More jobs at National Science Foundation

All National Science Foundation jobs →

More Social Science jobs

All Social Science jobs →

Data: USAJobs (U.S. Office of Personnel Management), retrieved 2026-11-11 · Announcement OISE-27-13095986 · Official announcement. FederalJobs is unofficial and is not affiliated with OPM or the agency.
Deputy Office Director (Detail Only)
Nov 16, 2026 deadlineApply