Program Officer - Computer Science and Telecommunications Board

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Keck Center

National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine

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keywords: the board,the opportunity,sponsor stewardship & program development/mgmt,communication, dissemination, and information mgmt,oversee,collaboration,support,education,experience,knowledge, skills, and abilities,collaboration,communication

Full time

Overview: REQ: R0000943<br /><br />The Program Officer will manage one or more activities of the Academies&rsquo; Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB), which convenes the nation&rsquo;s foremost computer science, telecommunications, and information technology experts. They provide authoritative advice to the nation on technical and public policy aspects of IT and its social and economic implications, on sustaining leadership in IT innovation, and on using IT in desirable and beneficial ways. CSTB&rsquo;s products include workshops, other public meetings, and influential and widely read reports. CSTB is a unit of the Academies&rsquo; Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS), which provides 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.<br /><br />The Program Officer is responsible for developing and managing one or more of the organization's programs or projects with minimal oversight by Director or Senior Program Officer. Develops program or project strategy and budget, supervises staff, and ensures program or project meets objectives. Assembles committees and serves as staff liaison between committee members and the National Academies. Develops prospectuses and helps raise funds for new projects.<br />Incumbent applies in-depth professional level knowledge to independently solve a full range of complex problems, leading studies or convening activities. The work is primarily intellectual or analytical in character, requiring advanced knowledge. Assignments are broadly defined and require judgment and creativity to complete. Incumbent is responsible for oversight of other staff. Reports to Director, CSTB.<br /><br />DEPS seeks to assess the role of science and technology in important public policy issues and to advance science and engineering, identifying needed research as well as improvements in data and research methods. In these ways, it fosters better science and technology and their use to support decisions on public policies and programs.<br /><br />DEPS&rsquo; work is organized around four broad areas:<br /> <ul> <li>Unique government missions in defense, space, and aerospace</li> <li>National infrastructure challenges such as energy and environmental systems, information and telecommunications, manufacturing and engineering design, civil engineering, and the constructed environment</li> <li>Science and engineering disciplines such as physics, astronomy, computer science and engineering, materials science and engineering, and the mathematical sciences and their applications.</li> <li>Continuing assessments of federal government laboratories and research programs.</li> </ul> <p dir="LTR">The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) convenes the nation&rsquo;s foremost computer science, telecommunications, and information technology experts.&nbsp; They provide authoritative advice to the nation on technical and public policy aspects of IT and its social and economic implications, on sustaining leadership in IT innovation, and on using IT in desirable and beneficial ways.&nbsp; CSTB&rsquo;s products include workshops, other public meetings, and influential and widely read reports.</p> <p dir="LTR">CSTB conducts studies of critical national issues that recommend actions or changes in actions by government, industry, academic researchers, and the larger nonprofit sector.&nbsp; CSTB also provides a neutral meeting ground for consideration of complex issues where resolution and action may be premature.&nbsp; It convenes invitational discussion sessions that bring together principals from the public and private sectors to share perspectives on all sides of an issue.&nbsp; The process assures that the debate is not dominated by the loudest voices.</p> <p dir="LTR">A creative body, CSTB initiates a large fraction of its work.&nbsp; It draws on its members&rsquo; insights into key trends and issues facing the computer and communications industries, the academic research community, and related professions and organizations to identify issues where it can have an impact.&nbsp; The majority of its work is requested by federal government agencies and Congress, consistent with its charter as a unit of the National Academies.</p>
Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Designs and manages program(s) or project(s) of minimal or moderate complexity. In collaboration with supervisor, develops program or project strategy, manages budget, supervises staff, and ensures program or project meets objectives.</li> <li>Where applicable and with director/senior program officer oversight, recruits potential committee nominees and assembles appointment packages. Communicates and coordinates with the committee 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.</li> <li>Conducts large and small workshops and/or meetings. Develops agendas, invites presenters and participants, oversees meeting logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares written summaries.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>Supports committee members, forum members, workshop participants, etc. in all aspects of work. For studies, assistance is provided in preparing the draft report, including writing sections of report based on committee input and review and editing the report for format, consistency, and grammar. Facilitates the response to review, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.</li> <li>Independently plans and implements extensive communications activities related to assigned programs or projects. Creates and maintains materials, web sites, and social media channels to provide interest groups with information generated from and for activities.</li> <li>Manages dissemination of reports and other types of publications. Prepares dissemination plan and funding proposal. Assists in managing report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings.</li> <li>Oversees staff with minimal oversight by Director or Senior Program Officer. 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.</li> <li>Oversees project budget and schedule and authorizes expenditures. As required, collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.</li> <li>Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, schools, and other organizations. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies.</li> <li>With Director or Senior Program Officer oversight, conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities. Writes prospectuses and proposals for new and continuing funding. Identifies potential sponsors. Assists Director or Senior Program Officer in raising funds for current and future projects.</li> </ul> <br /><br />NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES<br /> <ul> <li>Related duties and special projects as assigned.</li> </ul>
Requirements: <p dir="LTR"><strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</strong>&nbsp;Advanced knowledge of scientific, technical, or policy issues in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or related discipline. Strong program/project management skills. Ability to understand and share technical/scientific issues with diverse audiences. Ability to solve intellectual problems that are varied and complex using originality and ingenuity. Ability to operate using appreciable latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to manage and develop projects. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. 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. <span class="WLM2">Excellent&nbsp;communication</span> skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and constituents.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Minimum Education/Training Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;Master's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Minimum Experience:&nbsp;</strong>Three years of related professional experience. Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying <span class="WLM2">scientific/technical/policy</span> information in verbal and written form.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Preferred Education:&nbsp;</strong>Ph.D. in related field preferred.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Physical Capabilities:&nbsp;</strong>Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time. Ability to travel.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:</strong>&nbsp;None.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Supervisory <span class="WLM2">Responsibilities/Controls:&nbsp;</span></strong>Reports to senior program officer or director. General direction is provided. Supervises project/program staff with minimal oversight by director/senior program officer.</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Work Environment:</strong>&nbsp;Office environment, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.</p>