Senior Program Officer

Seeking a Senior Program Officer to Advance Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy

We are seeking an experienced individual to engage in the exciting and challenging task of serving as the lead program staff on managing a National Academies consensus study. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in social and/or behavioral science with a strong environmental focus, environmental studies, or similar interdisciplinary expertise.

The Board on Environmental Change and Society (BECS), housed within The Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE), is the National Academies primary voice for advancing research on the interactions between human activities and the environment. BECS is seeking a candidate with a strong understanding of, and commitment to, the behavioral and social sciences and their applications to public policy, specifically focused on the dynamics of human-environment interactions.

As a Senior Program Officer, you will lead a team of smart, talented, mission-driven staff who care deeply about the work they do. With the strong engagement of leading experts, your work will help inform actions taken by government agencies, private industry, philanthropy, members of the broader community, and other key decision-makers.

This work is highly complex and often spans multiple scientific disciplines and diverse communities. With the guidance and supervision of the BECS board director, the Senior Program Officer will develop strategies, budgets, and staffing requirements to ensure the activity meets its stated objectives.

The Senior Program Officer will serve as liaison between volunteer committee members; the National Academies, board, and division leadership; and other relevant parties; supervise staff; may develop prospectuses and projects; and may negotiate funding with sponsors.

The Senior Program Officer will leverage established organization and division processes and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient completion of tasks, while also providing innovative solutions to complex problems that impact the study's success.

The successful candidate will be dedicated to advancing a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the staff.

The Senior Program Officer reports to the BECS Board Director.

1. Develop and implement program strategies, budgets, and staffing requirements to ensure the activity meets its stated objectives.

2. Serve as liaison between volunteer committee members, the National Academies, board, and division leadership, and other relevant parties.

3. Supervise staff and provide guidance and support as needed.

4. Develop prospectuses and projects, and negotiate funding with sponsors.

5. Leverage established organization and division processes and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient completion of tasks.

6. Provide innovative solutions to complex problems that impact the study's success.

7. Advance a culture of respect, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging among the staff.

8. Report to the BECS Board Director.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Exceptional judgment. Advanced knowledge of the scientific, technical, or policy issues in topical area or a related discipline. Strong personnel/program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and communicate 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 work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Ability to manage and supervise 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 all levels of staff and constituents.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:

Masters degree in social or behavioral science, interdisciplinary environmental studies, a related field, or equivalent knowledge.

Minimum Experience:

Six years of related professional experience, two of which were in a supervisory capacity. Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies activities or equivalent outside activities. Demonstrated high level of proficiency in conveying scientific, technical, and/or policy information in verbal and written form.

Preferred Education:

Ph.D. in social or behavioral science, interdisciplinary environmental studies, a related field, or equivalent knowledge.

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:

Reports to the board director. General direction is provided. Independently supervises project/program staff.

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 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.

Work Environment:

Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage currently 40%, with occasional travel between National Academies facilities and to off-site meeting/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.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Job Family:

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