CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Information technology plays an increasingly essential role in addressing the nation’s crises. From the COVID-19 pandemic to recovering from cyber-attacks, a cyberinfrastructure ecosystem comprising compute, software, data, and expertise is critically and swiftly needed when an emergency occurs. For example, the COVID-19 High-Performance Computing Consortium (HPCC) stepped in to provide strategic computing resources to help combat COVID-19. With 42 consortium members from the Federal Government, academia, and industry, the HPCC supported 114 projects, providing computing capacity of 603 petaflops and 141k nodes. The Federal Government is now moving to build on the innovative COVID-19 HPCC initiative by creating a National Strategic Computing Reserve (NSCR) that can be called up in times of urgent national needs to address emergencies from pandemics to earthquakes to other natural or man-made disasters.

The NSCR is envisioned as a coalition of resource providers (of compute, software, and data) and technical experts spanning government, academia, industry, nonprofits/foundations, civil society, and communities of practice supported by appropriate coordination structures and mechanisms that can be mobilized quickly to provide critical cyberinfrastructure capabilities and services in times of urgent need. For more information about the NSCR vision, see https://www.nitrd.gov/pubs/National-Strategic-Computing-Reserve-Blueprint-Oct2021.pdf.

About the Position

The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program is seeking candidates interested in serving as the Program Manager for the NSCR Pilot Program Office. The NSCR Pilot Program Office will (1) develop a plan, to include the structures, policies, and processes for an NSCR Program Office, and (2) prototype the implementation and operation of these structures, policies, and processes. The Pilot Program Office plan and its prototype implementation will serve as framework that will inform that subsequent creation and operations of a production NSCR Program Office. It will define a one-stop shop in which subject matter experts will engage agencies with relevant missions, including first responders, science and engineering research, and workforce development, to quickly mobilize and deploy critical cyberinfrastructure (compute, software, data, expertise) capabilities and services in alignment with their missions during national crises and emergencies.

NSCR Program Manager Duties

The incumbent is expected to:

• Work with the NITRD and Future Advanced Computing Ecosystem Subcommittees of the National Science and Technology Council to plan for Federal engagement in the NSCR.
• Engage stakeholders across the cyberinfrastructure ecosystem, including academia and industry, to ensure the broadest possible participation in defining NSCR governance.
• As a member of the staff of the National Coordination Office for NITRD, provide advice to senior leaders of the Federal Government on issues relating to establishment of the NSCR.
• Serve as the central point of contact for NSCR activities and conduct public outreach through the following activities:
  • Produce and distribute information for the general public;
  • Prepare and deliver presentations on the NSCR and its activities at relevant meetings and venues; and
  • Coordinate with NITRD member agencies to leverage and support public outreach efforts.
• Provide oversight and assistance as appropriate for all NSCR reports and other outputs.

Professional Attributes

The incumbent is expected to exhibit a balanced portfolio of the following educational, experiential, and professional attributes, all of which will be considered in selection:

• A graduate degree (or equivalent knowledge and experience) in computer science, engineering, or closely related fields is required.
• A record of leadership positions with significant managerial, supervisory, and programmatic responsibilities, particularly on large multi-institution projects.
• Excellent abilities in written and oral communication as demonstrated by a strong record of publications, reports, and presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Direct knowledge of Federal Government operational policies and procedures gained through either Federal employment, temporary duty at a Federal agency, or through significant, ongoing interactions with the Federal Government, preferred.

Administrative Information

• The position is located in a typical office environment.
• The candidate must be available for at least one year, with the opportunity to extend.
• U.S. citizenship is required

How to Apply

• Submit your resume or any questions to Kamie Roberts, Director, NITRD National Coordination Office (careers@nitrd.gov) by January 15, 2023