Demo

Senior Policy Advisor

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Boulder, CO Full Time
POSTED ON 1/22/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/21/2025

Summary

CTL is seeking a Chief of Staff who will provide strategic guidance on policy, program development, and implementation while managing communications, organizational development, and stakeholder collaboration. They will Oversee strategic planning and high-level decision-making, representing the office in key meetings and initiatives.

This job is open to

  • The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

  • Federal employees - Competitive service
  • Current or former competitive service federal employees.

  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  • Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

  • Veterans
  • Special authorities
  • Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

    Clarification from the agency

    U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

    Videos

    Duties

    In this position, you will serve as Chief of Staff (COS) to the CTL Director.

  • You will collaborate with the CTL Director, senior management & staff to provide detailed guidance on policy & program development, implementation, & evaluation.
  • Utilize expertise in and knowledge of NIST-wide programs on Business Development, Organizational Development, and communications to collaborate with internal (NIST) and external stakeholders (DOC) to navigate, negotiate, defend, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues and is recognized by NIST and external clients as an expert in administrative / business field.
  • Manage CTL's strategic planning, developing, executing, & coordinating the implementation of policies, programs, & initiatives.
  • Develop and oversee policies & procedures and provide recommendations on issues spanning the entire scope of program activities to the CTL Director.
  • Represent the office in high-level meetings & prepare congressional testimony, briefings, and other information for the CTL director and senior leadership.
  • Identify & perform in-depth analyses of issues, draft potential solutions, and analyze the consequence of adopting different solutions & policies.
  • Oversee completion and maintenance of other CTL-level processes and NIST activities.
  • Serve as supervisor to the CTL communication group, working with technical staff and management to coordinate technical resources and develop communication documents for various audiences.
  • Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade / band requirements, as applicable
  • Bargaining Unit Position : No
  • Qualifications

    To Qualify, applicants must possess 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level (ZA-IV at NIST).

    Specialized experience is defined as :

  • Technical expertise in managing internal and external engagements, including leadership, developing, coordinating, and overseeing outreach special projects.
  • Experience in developing policies, strategic planning, and communication methods to optimize the visibility of programs.
  • Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

    The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

    If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site : Applicant Reconsideration

    Education

    Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

    Additional information

    This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

  • We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
  • Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
  • You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
  • All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
  • A probationary period may be required. .
  • NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as :

  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families
  • Back-up child care program
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Benefits
  • 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.

    Review our 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.

    How You Will Be Evaluated

    You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

    How you will be evaluated : We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position. Please be sure that your resume and supporting documents include detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient and / or legible evidence in your resume or supporting documents may result in a "not qualified" determination. You MUST select at least ONE eligibility (i.e., how you wish to be considered) to receive consideration for this position.

    Rating : Applications will be assessed on the following competencies :

  • Administration and Management
  • Communications and Media
  • Leadership
  • Oral Communication
  • Subject Matter Experts may be used for qualification determinations. If the minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements are met, your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals, or awards relevant to the duties of the position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses in the online questions are not supported by the education and / or experience described in your application. To preview the questionnaire, click here : https : / / apply.usastaffing.gov / ViewQuestionnaire / 12671653

    Referral : If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview. You will be referred depending upon your eligibility (i.e., Merit candidate, veterans preference, etc). Please review the Evaluation Process on how applicants are review and referred based upon how they wish to be considered for the position.

    CTAP or ICTAP eligibility : If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must be determined eligible and rated as well-qualified to receive special selection priority. "Well Qualified" means that in addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective placement factor(s), if applicable, you must receive a score of 85 or higher. Please review the following site regarding required documents to support CTAP or ICTAP eligibility and additional information regarding this authority - CTAP / ICTAP Eligibility

  • Benefits
  • 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.

    Review our 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.

  • Required Documents
  • As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

    The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

    A complete application includes : 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents . Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

    Resume : All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month / year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.

    Reinstatement : If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements :

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and / or degrees from

    schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

  • How to Apply
  • Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a multi-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11 : 59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement.

    Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

    Need help applying?

    If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 00 p.m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number.We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.

  • If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password / profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST.
  • If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.
  • Agency contact information

    Tailor Thompson

    Phone

    000-000-0000

    Email

    tailor.thompson@nist.gov

    Address

    Communications Technology Laboratory

    325 Broadway

    Room A123

    Boulder, CO 80305

    Next steps

    To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( https : / / my.usajobs.gov / Account / Login ), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit : https : / / www.usajobs.gov / Help / how-to / application / status / .

    We will update applicant statuses when :

  • A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified / eligible, no additional updates will be provided.
  • Applications are referred to the selecting official.
  • A selection decision has been made.
  • Please notify us if your contact information changes after announcement's closing date . Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.

  • Fair and Transparent
  • The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

    Criminal history inquiries

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request
  • Required Documents

    The documents required vary based on how you're applying (i.e., as a veteran or disabled veteran, current or former Federal employee, etc.). Please review the Required Documents for this position to find out if there are any documents required with your application. Failure to submit required documents, based upon how you apply, may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

    A complete application includes : 1) A resume, 2) vacancy question responses, and 3) submission of any required documents . Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, or if the documents submitted are illegible you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

    Resume : All applicants must submit a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive any credit for relevant experience, please list the month / year and the number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please refer to the Resume Guidance on how to build an effective resume.

    Reinstatement : If you are a former federal employee (separated from Federal service for at least 1 year) and wish to be non-competitively reinstated for a higher grade or full performance level than which you left federal employment, you MUST provide a copy of your separation SF-50 (the "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2") AND the last performance appraisal you received from your federal employment which shows at least a fully successful rating.

    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements :

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and / or degrees from

    schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

    How to Apply

    Click 'Apply' and we'll walk you through a multi-step process to attach a resume and any required documents. While working an application, you may review, edit, delete and update information. You must complete the online application process and submit any required documents by 11 : 59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the closing date of the announcement.

    Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The Human Resources Office will evaluate your application to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

    Need help applying?

  • If you are experiencing any difficulties with the online application process (anything after you have clicked the 'Apply Online' button), please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement between regular business hours (8 : 00 a.m. - 4 : 00 p.m. ET). If you receive any kind of error message, please be ready to provide a screenshot or, at a minimum, the error message text and number.We will provide you with a technical support number for further assistance if necessary.
  • If you are having trouble with USAJOBS (searching for jobs, account password / profile issues, or Resume Builder), please visit the USAJOBS Resource Center. We regret that we are unable to support any issues with USAJOBS, as this service is not maintained by the NIST.
  • If you are experiencing a significant hardship that hinders your ability to apply online, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement prior to the vacancy closing date and during regular business hours to discuss your situation.
  • Agency contact information

    Tailor Thompson

    Phone

    000-000-0000

    Email

    tailor.thompson@nist.gov

    Address

    Communications Technology Laboratory

    325 Broadway

    Room A123

    Boulder, CO 80305

    Next steps

    To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account ( https : / / my.usajobs.gov / Account / Login ), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit : https : / / www.usajobs.gov / Help / how-to / application / status / .

    We will update applicant statuses when :

  • A qualification determination is made. If found not qualified / eligible, no additional updates will be provided.
  • Applications are referred to the selecting official.
  • A selection decision has been made.
  • Please notify us if your contact information changes after announcement's closing date . Also, note that if you provide an inaccurate email address or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication, which could affect your consideration for this position.

    Fair & Transparent

    The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request
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