Job Description Summary:

***NOTE THAT A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION***

In 2013, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance offshore energy safety and the protection of human health and the environment in the Gulf region and other U.S. outer continental shelf areas. The Program seeks to improve understanding of the region’s human, environmental, and energy systems and foster application of these insights to benefit communities and ecosystems in the Gulf and other regions with offshore hydrocarbon production in the outer continental shelf of the United States.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is for a Program Officer (PO) for the GRP’s Environmental Protection and Stewardship unit (GEPS). The PO is responsible for developing and managing one or more applied research programs or projects that align with the mission of the Gulf Research Program (GRP) in accordance with the GRP’s Strategic Plan and the settlement agreement. The incumbent develops program or project strategy and budget, supervises staff, and ensures program or project meets objectives, timelines, and budget. Assembles and manages committees/panels and serves as staff liaison between committee/panel members, the GRP, and the National Academies. The PO position requires skills in project management, staff supervision, applied research, analysis, technical writing, public speaking, meeting facilitation, and proficient oral and written communication with a broad range of audiences.

Successful candidates will have an advanced knowledge of the Gulf region’s physical and/or biological science, and ideally, expertise in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, or related wetlands science. The incumbent will work in a team environment with expert volunteers from outside of the institution and internal GRP and National Academies staff in designing programmatic activities, projects, or programs. Types of projects could include those that focus on improving understanding the dynamics and implications of a changing environment, coastal changes, or ecosystem functions in the Gulf region, specifically in the Mississippi Delta and in Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Incumbent applies in-depth professional level knowledge and program management experience to solve a full range of medium to complex problems. Assignments are broadly defined and require the incumbent to have judgment and creativity to narrow, scope, and complete. Incumbent has oversight of project management and staff supervision.

The incumbent is expected to carry out the roles and responsibilities of the job with minimal oversight by the Program Director.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Manage the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative (MissDelta), a 5 year, $25-million long-term project focused on the lower Mississippi River Delta and the implications and consequences on the Deltaic plain due to environmental change, sea level rise, and subsidence. Will work closely with an established standing committee and principal investigators to track milestones, ensure project deliverables stay on time, and identify ways to enhance the impact of this project. 

2. Leads multiple efforts related to the Mississippi River 100 activities, a centennial initiative around the impact of the great flood of 1927 that will culminate in 2027. Will have primary responsibility for a scenario-based serious game on the changing river, similar in approach to this 2021 GRP project.

3. Works with the Program Director to design, implement, and manage complex program(s) or project(s) involving physical, biological, and environmental sciences in close with supervisor. Develops program or project strategy, manages budget, supervises staff, and ensures program or project meets objectives.

4. Organizes, staffs, and executes large and small workshops and/or meetings. Develops agendas, establishes purpose and objectives, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries.

5. Manages staff with minimal oversight by Program Director. Assigns tasks and provides guidance and feedback to staff. Mentors staff and ensures required training is accomplished and participates in performance reviews. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies.

6. Supports committee members, workshop participants, etc. in all aspects of work in fulfillment of the projects’ statements of work.

7. Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, academia, and other organizations. Represents the unit, the GRP and the National Academies within and outside of the National Academies.

8. Ensures that projects proceed within budget and on schedule, as per the statement of work and project design.  Collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.

9. Conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities. Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Develops written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers). Drafts and edits materials for publication. For studies and other applicable programs, synthesizes and edits research findings and technical data and determines the relevance of data for purposes of activity.

10. Where applicable, independently plans and implements extensive communications activities related to assigned programs or projects.  Works with GRP Communications team to creates and maintain materials, web sites, and social media channels to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities.

11. Where applicable and with director/senior program manager oversight, recruits potential committee/panel nominees and assembles appointment packages. Communicates and coordinates with the committee/panel chair and members. Identifies and gathers research materials for the committee. Facilitates the flow of information among committee/panel members, consultants, staff, and other applicable parties.  

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects, as assigned.

 JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge in hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, environmental science and policy. Knowledge of the Gulf region and the institutions, agencies, and communities based there is a plus. Strong program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and share technical/scientific issues with diverse audiences. Ability to solve problems using originality and ingenuity. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues. Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to independently develop and manage multiple and complex projects, and ability to work in or form successful team environments. Ability to train and develop staff. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Ability to develop relationships with co-workers, employees in other National Academies' departments, and external constituents through effective communication. Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with many levels of staff and constituents.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Master's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience. Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying scientific/technical/policy information in verbal and written form.

Preferred Education: Strong preference for a Ph.D. in related field.

Physical Capabilities: Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration: None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls: Typically reports to Program Director/Senior Program Manager. General direction is provided. May supervise project/program staff with minimal oversight by Program Director/Senior Program Manager.

Compensation Range: An estimated compensation range for this position is $88,450 - $110,560. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.   This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units

Job Family:

PROG

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia