Biologist (Animal Care)

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Directorate of Animal Care Sciences at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research (OUSSR), Smithsonian Institution (SI). More than one selection may be made from this announcement. Duties The Biologist (Animal Care) will serve as an Assistant Curator (Biologist) for specific animal areas, species, and/or team(s) as assigned. Assistant Curators are vital in ensuring the well-being of our collection animals through their involvement in care, breeding, education, conservation, exhibition, collection planning and support of research.

Requirements

Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
May need to complete a Probationary Period
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.
Degree: Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service.
Specialized experience is defined as assisting with management, care, and training of a collection of living wild animals in a zoological setting; assisting with various administrative processes; and facilitating research or data collection.
Resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position.
Provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience. 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).
Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
Combination of education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.
Transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study must be provided if qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university.

Nice To Haves

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

Provides daily care of exotic and endangered animals through enclosure cleaning and sanitation, diet preparation and feeding, enrichment activities, and the application of animal husbandry techniques.
Coordinates animal training and management activities to support health care, capture, restraint, transport, shifting, and separation of animals for exhibit and husbandry purposes.
Oversee Animal Keepers, volunteers, interns, and contractors, ensuring work is assigned, scheduled, and completed according to established priorities and deadlines.
Assists in preparing reports and recommendations for local, national, and international conservation and zoological organizations.