Job Description

Associate Director, Science and Technology Ecosystem Development

Full-time FAS staff

Washington, DC

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency. As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise: Must Haves

This is a founding position. Do you have the unique set of attributes we need for the role?

Skills

What skills do you need to possess to be a strong candidate?

• Strong project management experience in overseeing, developing, and managing the full life cycle of project plans.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging strong coordination and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach and/or manage staff, with evidence to support success.
• Willingness to learn, give, seek and implement feedback.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to define impact and share complex information in ways the public and policy community can use.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and pursuing it within the mission of FAS.
• Track record of cultivating, developing, and managing grants/fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with executives internally and externally to drive success for organizationally significant initiatives.

Expertise

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

• 5+ years experience working in public policy, with particular interest in government experience (executive, legislative), or work in public policy think tanks or academia.
• A demonstrated area of expertise in science and technology talent, workforce and high-skilled STEM immigration domains. This can include, but is not limited to, domestic and global S&T talent identification and placement, R&D infrastructure, STEM education and workforce development, science communication, science diplomacy, national security, space policy and planetary defense, research security and national security-related science and engineering.
• Direct work experience, reputation, networks, and substantive expertise in key issues are essential to succeeding in this role. 

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) believes that the equitable, effective, and inclusive development of science and technology (S&T) talent – which we believe directly leads to a strong S&T workforce – is critical to our nation’s health, competitiveness, and national security. This talent must come from both domestic and international sources in order to fully meet the demands imposed by a global and technologically driven society. To accomplish this goal of ensuring that America develops and retains a globally diverse workforce, FAS is launching a new portfolio that addresses both facets of this challenge through innovative policy interventions. 

The Associate Director, S&T Ecosystem Development will be responsible for leading the development of this new portfolio at FAS, currently within the emerging technology and competitiveness team, while adding expertise in S&T talent development and workforce readiness for both a domestic and global S&T talent pool. A strong candidate for this role will be able to grow this nascent portfolio by building connections across the organization, as well as developing the networks and relationships necessary to grow this effort to scale. This will include the ability to hone and share the vision of the work in a variety of contexts and support fundraising efforts for this workstream. This role will also contribute to organizationally relevant efforts to cultivate a strong, equitable S&T ecosystem.

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role, meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote.  For this role, much of the work will be relationship building and meetings within Washington, DC.

This position may involve supervising staff in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of their employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Salary Range

$115,000-$145,000

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FAS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. All hiring decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications and skills and FAS is committed to ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. The Federation of American Scientists  prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

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