Chief, Time & Frequency Division
What you'd do
PML's Time and Frequency Division seeks a Chief to provide strategic direction and technical management for U.S. official time standards and metrology research. Leading a high-level team, you will drive collaborative programs, influence agency priorities, and secure resources with key stakeholders to advance NIST's mission on an international scale. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.
Major duties
NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) is the nation's authority on measurement, setting definitive standards across a staggering 20 orders of magnitude. We are currently seeking a skilled professional to join our prestigious Time and Frequency Division. This division holds the vital responsibility of maintaining the official standard for frequency and time intervals for the United States. If you are hired for this role, you will: Establish long-term technical goals and milestones for the organizational unit, ensuring they align with the broader missions of NIST. Advise and influence executive leadership in adopting calculated approaches to complex scientific research and program direction. Resolve complex, high-stakes disputes within the institution or scientific community to protect critical agency objectives. Identify, cultivate, and develop organizational capabilities and talent. Promote a strong program of service activities in time and frequency metrology. Ensure that technical achievements receive significant international recognition, enhancing the integrity of the scientific field.
What you need to qualify
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Degree: physics; or related degree that included at least 24 semester hours in physics; OR Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in physics totaling at least 24 semester hours, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In either 1 or 2 above, the courses must have included a fundamental course in general physics and, in addition, courses in any two of the following: electricity and magnetism, heat, light, mechanics, modern physics, and sound. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level (ZP-IV at NIST.) Specialized experience is defined as ALL of the following: Experience directing and managing projects to ensure adherence to established standards for frequency and time intervals. AND Experience overseeing research in advanced time and frequency metrology. AND Experience providing guidance to senior management and key stakeholders on complex or controversial scientific methods and program directions, and leading high-level programs that involve collaboration with external organizations. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration
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