Program Officer/Senior Program Officer - CSTB

Job Description Summary:

** Cover Letter Required **

The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) in the National Academies’ Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences (DEPS) is seeking to hire EITHER a program officer or a senior program officer. DEPS’s mission is to provide 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. CSTB conducts a program of consensus studies and convening activities on issues in computing and communications technologies, their societal implications, and governance. Current areas of emphasis include (1) artificial intelligence and other emerging computing technologies and their societal, ethical, and policy implications, (2) cybersecurity and cyber resilience, and (3) cyber infrastructure for scientific research.
The successful candidate will report to the senior director, CSTB.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Project Development, Management & Administration

Program Officer: Designs and leads projects with minimal oversight. Develops program strategy, manages budget, and oversees staff. Assembles committees and supports the consensus-building process.

Senior Program Officer: Designs and manages multiple complex projects and works independently. Develops comprehensive program strategies and provides strategic direction across multiple projects. Builds and guides high-profile committees through complex and sensitive topics.

Sponsor Stewardship

Program Officer: Maintains relationships with sponsors across government research agencies, industry, and foundations. Conducts background research for new studies. Writes prospectuses and proposals for new and continuing funding.

Senior Program Officer: Maintains strategic relationships with major sponsors. Identifies opportunities and develops new program areas. Builds multi-sponsor coalitions for major initiatives.

Advanced Research and Writing

Program Officer: Prepares background papers and technical summaries. Synthesizes research findings and technical data into accessible formats for diverse audiences.

Senior Program Officer: Leads development of complex technical and policy frameworks. Ensures technical quality and policy relevance across program portfolio. Provides thought leadership in one or more key program areas.

Publications

Program Officer: Prepares draft reports which may include writing sections of report based on committee input. Edits and reviews reports for format, consistency, and grammar. Manages the response to review, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.

Senior Program Officer: Prepares draft reports which may include writing sections of report based on committee input and may independently developing drafts for committee consideration. Edits and reviews reports for format, consistency, and grammar. Manages the response to review including for complex and sensitive topics, responds to comments and concerns of editors, and prepares the final manuscript for publication.

Team Management

Program Officer:  Leads project teams. Ensures consistent application of organizational policies.

Senior Program Officer: Builds and leads high-performing teams that frequently span disciplines and National Academies units. May mentor junior staff and identify staff development needs. Interprets and ensure consistent application of organizational policies.

Communications and Dissemination

Program Officer: Plans and manages the dissemination of reports and other publications. Manages report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies.

Senior Program Officer: Plans and manages the dissemination of reports and other publications including on complex or sensitive topics. Manages report production activities. Identifies and engages external organizations in dissemination. Identifies dissemination needs and prepares dissemination materials. Conducts dissemination meetings. Represents the unit and committee within and outside the National Academies, including with senior decisionmakers and other high-level principals.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science or a related field, or equivalent experience. Ph.D. preferred. Additional background in science and technology policy, computin