Job Description Summary

** Cover Letter Required **

The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) in the National Academies’ Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS) is seeking to hire EITHER a program officer or a senior program officer. DEPS’s mission is to provide independent and authoritative science, technology, engineering and related policy advice to the federal government and to the nation and to promote communications between the science and technology community, the federal government, and the interested public. CSTB conducts a program of consensus studies and convening activities on issues in computing and communications technologies, their societal implications, and governance. Current areas of emphasis include (1) artificial intelligence and other emerging computing technologies and their societal, ethical, and policy implications, (2) cybersecurity and cyber resilience, and (3) cyber infrastructure for scientific research.

The successful candidate will report to the senior director, CSTB.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Project Development, Management & Administration

Program Officer: Designs and leads projects with minimal oversight. Develops program strategy, manages budget, and oversees staff. Assembles committees and supports the consensus-building process.

Senior Program Officer: Designs and manages multiple complex projects and works independently. Develops comprehensive program strategies and provides strategic direction across multiple projects. Builds and guides high-profile committees through complex and sensitive topics.

Sponsor Stewardship

Program Officer: Maintains relationships with sponsors across government research agencies, industry, and foundations. Conducts background research for new studies. Writes prospectuses and proposals for new and continuing funding.

Senior Program Officer: Maintains strategic relationships with major sponsors. Identifies opportunities and develops new program areas. Builds multi-sponsor coalitions for major initiatives.

Advanced Research and Writing

Program Officer: Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Synthesizes research findings and technical data into accessible formats for diverse audiences.

Senior Program Officer: Leads development of complex technical and policy frameworks. Ensures technical quality and policy relevance across program portfolio. Provides thought leadership in one or more key program areas.

Publications

Program Officer: Prepares draft reports which may include writing sections of report based on committee input. Edits and reviews reports for format, consistency, and grammar. Manages the response to review, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.

Senior Program Officer: Prepares draft reports which may include writing sections of report based on committee input and may independently developing drafts for committee consideration. Edits and reviews reports for format, consistency, and grammar. Manages the response to review including for complex and sensitive topics, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.

Team Management

Program Officer: Leads project teams. Ensures consistent application of organizational policies.

Senior Program Officer: Builds and leads high-performing teams that frequently span disciplines and National Academies units. May mentor junior staff and identify staff development needs. Interprets and ensure consistent application of organizational policies.

Communications and Dissemination

Program Officer: Plans and manages the dissemination of reports and other publications. Manages report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies.

Senior Program Officer: Plans and manages the dissemination of reports and other publications including on complex or sensitive topics. Manages report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Identifies dissemination needs and prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies, including with senior decisionmakers and other high-level principals.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science or a related field, or equivalent experience. Ph.D. preferred. Additional background in science and technology policy, computing research, or research management preferred.

Experience

Program Officer: Three years of related professional experience. Demonstrated proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and policy information in verbal and written form. Work experience in AI, computing, or related technical and policy areas preferred.

Senior Program Officer: Six or more years of related professional experience, including leadership of complex projects. Substantial expertise in one or more of CSTB's emphasis areas. Track record of successful program development in technical or policy domains strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Program Officer: Advanced knowledge of computing technologies and their applications in research and society. Understanding of current societal and policy issues in AI, computing, cybersecurity, or related areas. Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. Experience leading teams and managing technical projects. Strong analytical and writing skills. Familiarity with academic or industry research and development environments.

Senior Program Officer: Deep expertise in one or more CSTB emphasis areas. Comprehensive understanding of technical and policy landscape. Demonstrated ability to bridge technical and policy communities or other cross-disciplinary work, strong personal network in technical and policy communities.

Compensation Range

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support equity, fairness, and transparency in our compensation programs. An estimated compensation range for this position at the Program Officer level is $88,450 - $110,560. An estimated compensation range for this position at the Senior Program Officer level, the estimated compensation range is $101,130 - $158,015. 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 in-office and telework environment with expected onsite percentage 40%. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting and sponsor locations.

The National Academies’ Statement On Diversity And Inclusion

We, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies), value diversity among our staff, members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and audiences. We recognize that talent is broadly distributed in society and that many perspectives enhance the quality of our work and drive innovation and impact.

We pledge to cultivate a workplace culture and climate that promotes inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-racism; upholds equity; and values the participation of all who are engaged in advancing our mission. By embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs, institutional policies and practices, and products, we will be able to better advise the nation on the most complex issues facing society and the world.

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, 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

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine jobs

Program Officer/Senior Program Officer - CSTB