PROGRAM MANAGER (STATION MANAGER, ANTARCTICA), AD-0340-04
Summary
This position is for a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) for the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) Section in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP). The Station Manager provides on-site, day-to-day oversight of Antarctic station operations from McMurdo and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field locations.
For more information about GEO, click here.
For more information about OPP, click here.
Duties
Help
As a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) you will alternate between on-ice assignments at McMurdo Station and off-ice program support in the United States. Each assignment period will span six (6) months. During these rotations, you will be responsible for the following duties:
Off-Ice (non-deployment periods)
When not deployed, the Station Manager participates in planning, review, and training activities, including but not limited to:
• Attending the Annual Planning Meeting with USAP agencies and partners.
• Participating in projects, programs, or budget reviews.
• Completing required training and readiness activities.
On-Ice (deployment periods)
While deployed at McMurdo Station, the Station Manager:
• Serves as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, authorized to search, detain, and arrest for specific offenses alleged to have been committed by U.S. persons at any Antarctic location.
• Provides daily oversight of infrastructure and facility operations at McMurdo Station and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field sites.
• Prioritizes efforts when resource conflicts or limitations occur.
• Provides technical direction, where applicable, to contractors on station operations.
• Coordinates closely with AIL colleagues to ensure mission requirements are met.
• Implements and enforces regulations on conservation, environmental protection, and compliance with permits issued under USAP auspices.
• Maintains internal controls on support aspects of USAP to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, in accordance with OMB Circular A-123.
• May serve as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), representing OPP in monitoring contractor performance under various contracts and agreements.
• Provides regular written and oral status updates to AIL staff and leadership.
• Serves as Director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies or Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
• Conducts program performance reviews and compliance audits of USAP support contractors.
• Coordinates with international Antarctic programs as necessary.
• Deploys to other Antarctic stations as directed.
Service as NSF Representative, Antarctica
When delegated, the Station Manager assumes the duties of the NSF Representative, Antarctica, which include:
• Coordinating NSF science and contractor requirements with other USAP organizations (including Commander, Support Forces Antarctica).
• Advising OPP leadership on progress and challenges in operations relative to program plans.
• Serving as on-site federal representative for oversight and direction of NSF contractor activities at McMurdo, South Pole, and inland field sites.
• Coordinating with the NSF Science Representative to ensure adequate support for all domestic and international Antarctic research programs.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination according to standards used for U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) medical/dental screening for travel to Antarctica. Please review the Office of Polar Program Physical Qualification (PQ) Guidelines that can be found here.
After onboarding, appointment is contingent upon successful completion of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Course.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Qualifications
The Station Manager must hold an advanced degree and possess significant operational leadership experience. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least six (6) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.; OR A Master's degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least eight (8) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.
Relevant disciplines include civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, or electronics engineering; facilities operations and management; or a closely related field. This should be complemented by professional experience aligned with the mission of the Office of Polar Programs or directly relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
Must demonstrate the ability to:
• Manage large-scale, complex operations in remote or austere environments.
• Lead and oversee multidisciplinary teams.
• Direct logistics, infrastructure operations, and research station support.
• Apply knowledge of contracts, interagency agreements, or cooperative partnerships.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making under high-risk and resource constrained conditions.
Highly desired experience will be considered:
• Direct leadership experience in polar, expeditionary, or extreme-environment operations.
• Proven ability to manage remote research stations, large field programs, or comparable facilities in isolated settings.
• Expertise in emergency management, search and rescue coordination, or law enforcement authority in support of federal operations.
• Experience serving as a federal representative in interagency, international, or contractor oversight roles.
• Demonstrated success in resolving complex logistical and operational challenges involving multiple stakeholders, including international partners, the U.S. military, contractors, and research organizations.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
Additional information
Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.
It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions
This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job
This position is for a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) for the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) Section in the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Office of Polar Programs (OPP). The Station Manager provides on-site, day-to-day oversight of Antarctic station operations from McMurdo and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field locations.
For more information about GEO, click here.
For more information about OPP, click here.
Duties
Help
As a Program Manager (Station Manager, Antarctica) you will alternate between on-ice assignments at McMurdo Station and off-ice program support in the United States. Each assignment period will span six (6) months. During these rotations, you will be responsible for the following duties:
Off-Ice (non-deployment periods)
When not deployed, the Station Manager participates in planning, review, and training activities, including but not limited to:
• Attending the Annual Planning Meeting with USAP agencies and partners.
• Participating in projects, programs, or budget reviews.
• Completing required training and readiness activities.
On-Ice (deployment periods)
While deployed at McMurdo Station, the Station Manager:
• Serves as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal, authorized to search, detain, and arrest for specific offenses alleged to have been committed by U.S. persons at any Antarctic location.
• Provides daily oversight of infrastructure and facility operations at McMurdo Station and directs logistics and operational decisions impacting South Pole and inland field sites.
• Prioritizes efforts when resource conflicts or limitations occur.
• Provides technical direction, where applicable, to contractors on station operations.
• Coordinates closely with AIL colleagues to ensure mission requirements are met.
• Implements and enforces regulations on conservation, environmental protection, and compliance with permits issued under USAP auspices.
• Maintains internal controls on support aspects of USAP to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, in accordance with OMB Circular A-123.
• May serve as a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), representing OPP in monitoring contractor performance under various contracts and agreements.
• Provides regular written and oral status updates to AIL staff and leadership.
• Serves as Director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies or Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
• Conducts program performance reviews and compliance audits of USAP support contractors.
• Coordinates with international Antarctic programs as necessary.
• Deploys to other Antarctic stations as directed.
Service as NSF Representative, Antarctica
When delegated, the Station Manager assumes the duties of the NSF Representative, Antarctica, which include:
• Coordinating NSF science and contractor requirements with other USAP organizations (including Commander, Support Forces Antarctica).
• Advising OPP leadership on progress and challenges in operations relative to program plans.
• Serving as on-site federal representative for oversight and direction of NSF contractor activities at McMurdo, South Pole, and inland field sites.
• Coordinating with the NSF Science Representative to ensure adequate support for all domestic and international Antarctic research programs.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
This position is outside the competitive civil service.
Appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a physical examination according to standards used for U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) medical/dental screening for travel to Antarctica. Please review the Office of Polar Program Physical Qualification (PQ) Guidelines that can be found here.
After onboarding, appointment is contingent upon successful completion of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Basic Criminal Investigator Course.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full/blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
The Selected Candidate(s) may be subject to a background investigation.
Qualifications
The Station Manager must hold an advanced degree and possess significant operational leadership experience. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least six (6) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.; OR A Master's degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, or technical field, and at least eight (8) or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position after the award of the degree.
Relevant disciplines include civil, mechanical, structural, electrical, or electronics engineering; facilities operations and management; or a closely related field. This should be complemented by professional experience aligned with the mission of the Office of Polar Programs or directly relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
Must demonstrate the ability to:
• Manage large-scale, complex operations in remote or austere environments.
• Lead and oversee multidisciplinary teams.
• Direct logistics, infrastructure operations, and research station support.
• Apply knowledge of contracts, interagency agreements, or cooperative partnerships.
• Exercise independent judgment and decision-making under high-risk and resource constrained conditions.
Highly desired experience will be considered:
• Direct leadership experience in polar, expeditionary, or extreme-environment operations.
• Proven ability to manage remote research stations, large field programs, or comparable facilities in isolated settings.
• Expertise in emergency management, search and rescue coordination, or law enforcement authority in support of federal operations.
• Experience serving as a federal representative in interagency, international, or contractor oversight roles.
• Demonstrated success in resolving complex logistical and operational challenges involving multiple stakeholders, including international partners, the U.S. military, contractors, and research organizations.
Education
Please refer to the Qualifications section.
If your degree was obtained from a foreign institution, please also submit the certification from the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals, or certification equivalency.
Additional information
Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.
It is NSF policy that NSF personnel employed at or IPAs detailed to NSF are not permitted to participate in foreign government talent recruitment programs. Failure to comply with this NSF policy could result in disciplinary action up to & including removal from Federal Service or termination of an IPA assignment & referral to the Office of Inspector General. Foreign Talent Definitions
This announcement is open to All US Citizens who meet citizenship and eligibility requirements.
Federal Appropriations Law requires that Non-Citizens meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered.
This announcement may be used to fill like positions in other organizations within the National Science Foundation.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job