Program Officer - GRP Environmental Protection and Stewardship

Job Description Summary:

The Program Officer (PO) for the Gulf Research Program’s (GRP) Environmental Protection and Stewardship unit (GEPS) develops and manages one or more applied research programs or projects aligned with GRP’s mission, Strategic Plan, and settlement agreement. The incumbent develops program or project strategy and budget, supervises staff, and ensures programs or projects meet objectives, timelines, and budget.

Working in a collaborative environment with internal staff and external experts, the PO designs and implements programmatic activities and serves as staff liaison to committees or panels. Responsibilities include assembling and managing committees, facilitating engagement among members, and supporting the development of research, analysis, and technical products. The role requires strong project management, staff supervision, applied research, analytical, technical writing, public speaking, and meeting facilitation skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

The incumbent oversees GEPS’ Riverine and Gulf Coast workstreams, managing and enhancing existing programs while working closely with the Program Director to identify, scope, and develop new programming. Areas of focus include understanding the physical dynamics of a changing Gulf environment, coastal processes such as sea level rise, and ecosystem functions, particularly in the Mississippi Delta, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and communities most at risk from flooding and storm surge.

The incumbent applies in-depth professional knowledge and program management experience to address a range of moderately complex to complex problems. Assignments are broadly defined and require independence, sound judgment, and creativity in scoping work and translating insights into actionable outcomes. The PO carries out responsibilities with minimal oversight from the Program Director.

ABOUT THE GULF RESEARCH PROGRAM (GRP):

In 2013, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance offshore energy safety and protect human health and the environment in the five Gulf states—Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida—as well as other U.S. outer continental shelf areas. The Program seeks to improve understanding of the region’s human, environmental, and energy systems and to foster application of these insights to benefit communities and ecosystems in the Gulf and other regions with offshore hydrocarbon production.

Job Description:

**NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION***

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Program & Project Leadership

• Manages the Mississippi River Delta Transition Initiative (MissDelta), a multi-year, large-scale project focused on environmental change, sea level rise, and subsidence in the lower Mississippi River Delta; works with committees and principal investigators to track milestones, ensure deliverables, and enhance project impact.

• Leads multiple efforts related to the Gulf Coast workstream, including development of flood-related programming that builds on existing initiatives.

• Supports and enhances coalition-based activities related to Mississippi River100.

• Works with the Program Director to design, implement, and manage complex programs or projects; develops strategy, manages budget, supervises staff, and ensures objectives are met.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Collaborates with experts and sponsors from federal, state, and local governments, foundations, academia, and other organizations.

• Represents the unit, GRP, and the National Academies internally and externally.

• Supports committee members, workshop participants, and other stakeholders in fulfillment of project statements of work.

Committee & Project Coordination

• With director or senior program manager oversight, recruits potential committee or panel nominees and assembles appointment packages.

• Communicates and coordinates with committee or panel chairs and members.

• Identifies and gathers research materials and facilitates the flow of information among committee members, consultants, staff, and other stakeholders.

Research, Analysis & Knowledge Products

• Conducts background research on topics for new studies, programs, or activities.

• Prepares background papers, technical summaries, and written products (e.g., reports, proceedings, white papers).

• Drafts and edits materials for publication; synthesizes research findings and technical data and determines relevance for program activities.

Meetings, Workshops & Communications

• Organizes and executes meetings, workshops, and events; develops agendas, defines objectives, invites participants, oversees logistics and multimedia presentations, and prepares summaries.

• Where applicable, independently plans and implements communications activities; collaborates with communications staff to create and maintain materials, websites, and social media channels.

Staff Leadership & Operations

• Manages and leads staff with minimal oversight; assigns tasks, provides guidance and feedback, mentors staff, ensures training, and participates in performance reviews.

• Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies.

Financial & Project Management

• Ensures projects proceed on schedule and within budget in alignment with statements of work and project design.

• Collaborates with financial staff to ensure compliance.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects, as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Advanced knowledge in hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, environmental science and policy. Knowledge of the Gulf region and the institutions, agencies, and communities based there is a plus. Strong program/project management and facilitation skills. Ability to understand and share 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 independently develop and manage multiple and complex projects, and ability to work in or form successful team environments. Ability to train and develop 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 many levels of staff and constituents.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements: Master's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge

Minimum Experience: Three years of related professional experience. Demonstrated basic proficiency in conveying scientific/technical/policy information in verbal and written form.

Preferred Education: Ph.D. in related field.

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: Typically reports to Program Director/Senior Program Manager. General direction is provided. May supervise project/program staff with minimal oversight by Program Director/Senior Program Manager.

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $88,450 - $110,560. 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. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.   This is a benefits-eligible position.  Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click here.

Work Environment: Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

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 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units

Job Family:

PROG

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia