Job Description

Program Support Specialist II / Senior Program Specialist.

Department: Administration

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: National Science Foundation - Washington DC Area

The Program Support Specialist will provide daily administrative and programmatic support to the National Science Foundation to facilitate the peer review process. The employees will work closely with their assigned NSF Program Director/s to identify technical and commercial experts to participate on scientific review panels and provide feedback on grant proposals. The Program Support Specialist will enter key data into NSF systems, create and manage all supporting documents for their assigned review panels, and assist the Program Director/s by reviewing proposal budgets and drafting the ‘review analysis required to support the eventual NSF award or decline decision for each proposal. In addition to facilitating the peer review process, the Program Support Specialist will provide other administrative and technical services to the client upon request, including maintaining tracking spreadsheets and calendars, conducting data analysis, preparing reports and presentations, planning and supporting small and medium sized meetings, and corresponding with grantees and reviewers via email and telephone regarding all aspects of the review process and grants management.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist NSF Program Directors with identifying and recruiting qualified peer reviewers using NSF databases and internet searches.
• Perform data entry into NSF systems to support review process, and management of affiliated paperwork.
• Communicate daily via phone and email with potential reviewers.
• Draft and review all documents associated with assigned panels, including review analyses and screening reviewer comments.
• Prepare materials and correspondence upon request, and review/suggest edits for key NSF documents and websites.
• Review award budgets for compliance with program requirements.
• Plan and support small and medium sized meetings to occur at NSF.
• Perform data queries on NSF systems and update/maintain key tracking spreadsheets and calendars.
• Prepare reports and presentations upon request.
• Conduct compliance screening on incoming proposals.
• Assist with individual administrative and data analysis projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Physical Sciences, Information Technology, Computer Science, or Education.
Experience: Three years’ professional and/or administrative experience in office environment.
Skills/Knowledge Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Proficient with use of Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Access and Outlook email and calendar functions. Experienced querying experience strongly preferred. Detail-oriented, problem-solver, professional, and courteous demeanor. Must be able to work as part of a team or independently as needed with little direction or supervision.
Other Willingness to work as part of a close-knit and diverse team is essential. Outgoing and positive attitude about helping others is a must. Other related duties and tasks as assigned.

Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer