Posting 24-25

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  This position is open to all qualified applicants. 

INTRODUCTION
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants. 

Summary

This is the position of Program Manager (PM) supporting the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) and NASA Science Explorer (SciX) programs at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), as well as other projects supporting the Director’s Office (DO). The PM will reside within the SAO Project Management Office (PMO), which is responsible for a large portfolio of ground and space-based instrumentation projects, software development efforts, and institutional support projects. The PM will provide a broad mix of project, business, and technical management expertise develop their assigned programs and projects through all phases of the project lifecycle, from concept definition to commissioning. Assignments will require close coordination with multiple SAO stakeholders including senior management, scientists, engineers, technical, and administrative staff. Externally, the position requires close coordination with staff at sponsor organizations, such as NASA and the NSF, and both national and international collaborating organizations and industrial contractors. 

Responsibilities

• Facilitates the day-to-day running of assigned ADS/SciX and Director’s Office projects as follows: Works with Project Scientists and Project Engineers to provide direction to project staff to ensure tasks, procurements, and actions progress as planned. Maintains and tracks action and risk registers. Works with project staff and subcontractors to update and status the project schedule. Organizes and runs project meetings and manages preparations for milestone reviews. Acts as the point of contact and manager of contracts with industry subcontractors. Schedules and runs progress meetings with industry subcontractors as needed. Coordinates with SAO administrative and management staff to ensure assigned projects are effectively supported. 
• Develops multi-year budgets, including expenditures and labor cost projections, and provides budgets, projections and other data for reviews as required.
• Manages short- and long-range planning activities, initiates a comprehensive evaluation system for review and analysis of proposed costs, project development and performance.
• Oversees and authorizes contract purchase requisitions and ensures that all expenditures are allocated to appropriate fund categories; tracks expenditures versus plan and analyzes and reports variances; and oversees preparation of monthly and quarterly reports.
• As the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR), I serve as the SAO/project representative in the management of subcontracts. I work with subcontractors and SAO contracts’ management staff to ensure subcontracts are executed on schedule, invoices are submitted on time, and subcontractors are paid expeditiously.
• Provides oversight and coordination of Earned Value Management (EVM) activities, including supporting EVM specialists, assembling data, and preparing variance analyses of EVM-related reports.
• Develops and implements a product release plan, managing change control of the project deliverables.
• Gives presentations or briefings on all aspects of the project.
• Participates in regular information sessions to plan and maintain productive interaction with staff and senior PM to ensure that technical progress is aligned with the project budget and schedule.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 12 level in similar positions.  Specialized experience is an experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Required)

• Knowledge and skill to successfully create and submit funding proposals, including researching costs, planning expense and labor profiles and coordinating proposal production and submission.
• Mastery of advanced management and organizational principles and practices along with a comprehensive knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting regulations, guidelines and process, and thorough knowledge of the strategies, techniques, and processes used to plan, develop, and control project schedule and track project milestones, activities, and deliverables, including timeframes and assigned resources.
• Expert knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools for managing project resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance (utilizing, but not limited to Smartsheet and/or MS Project).
• Ability to formulate, monitor and analyze detailed, complex multi-year budgets for large programs, to project expenditures and labor profiles for future years, to adapt budgets to changes in funding, and to generate reports.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods for evaluating program or organizational performance using financial and nonfinancial measures, including identification of evaluation factors (for example, workload, personnel requirements), metrics, and outcomes.
• Ability to lead and manage a team for maximum effectiveness, give direction to support staff, to mentor and advise staff, and to resolve conflicts.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

 Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

  The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

 Resume/CV should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. College Transcript should be provided if using education for qualification.  

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.  The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe.   Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery.  Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.

At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.

How to Apply:  Please use the following link to visit Smithsonian's Career Page:  Smithsonian Institution Job Opportunities Site

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 
• Required to file a Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interests (SI Form 1085)

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/