Research Zoologist (Curator of Vertebrates)

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.

Duties

The Research Zoologist will develop and expand an internationally recognized research program, making major contributions to the field of zoology through research, integrative scientific investigation, scholarly and public presentations, publications, and recognition within the scientific community. In this position you will: Initiate, develop, and participate in integrative scientific research, fieldwork, and collection growth and maintenance on Recent vertebrates (herpetology, ichthyology, and/or ornithology). Develop and curate portions of the National Collections in their own specialty area. This includes assuring proper documentation, identification, authenticity, and physical well-being of the collection. Serve as a consultant and expert advisor on professional matters in their area of expertise to colleagues, governmental agencies, other governments, institutions, foundations, organizations, and the general public. Achieve outreach via public lectures or publications, web sites, exhibit development, etc. Independently seek non-departmental funding from sources within and beyond the Smithsonian.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Education

See “Qualifications.”

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below: Ability to conduct original, collections-based scientific research in systematic biology, broadly defined, of Recent vertebrates, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in the disciplines of herpetology, ichthyology, and/or ornithology. Knowledge of collections management practices, gained through work experience in curation and research on a diverse range of vertebrate zoology collections. Ability to articulate research program to administrators, the scientific community, funding agencies and the general public. Skill in securing external funding (include list of grants, amounts, and funding periods in your application package). Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category – Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category – Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category – Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans’ preference points or apply the “rule of three”, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position. Important Note: The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options. Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts – https://www.fsafeds.com/ Health Insurance – http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp Leave – http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp Life Insurance – http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp Long Term Care Insurance – http://www.ltcfeds.com Retirement Program – https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

Required Documents

Your application package should include the following documents: Resume – Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center – How do I write a resume for a federal job? Please upload the list of the Peer-Reviewed Publications required in the specialized experience statement under “Additional Documentation” within the Required Documents section of your application. Proof of Veteran’s Preference – DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment. Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.