Supervisory Research Zoologist
About This 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 Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Washington, DC. with duty location in either Washington D.C.
OR
Front Royal, VA.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications Degree: zoology; or a related discipline or field of science that included at least 20 semester hours in zoology and related animal sciences.
OR
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in zoology, or in a related discipline that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Graduate Education: To be qualifying, graduate study must have been in one of the major fields of zoology or have followed a curriculum or pattern of training that placed major emphasis on one of these disciplines or subject-matter fields, such as nematology or parasitology. Graduate study in related fields of science such as microbiology, medicine, veterinary medicine, or plant pathology that involved cross-training in zoology or one of the fields of zoology may also be qualifying, provided there was a sufficient amount of emphasis on zoology.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above: Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as developing, planning, and implementing a broad range of advanced and complex investigations in the field of conservation genomics; designing and executing new approaches and investigations to extend and to ensure the viability of wildlife species and populations; and leading and supervising others that lead to advance the field of conservation genomics and related research areas.
Your 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. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
In addition to a two-page resume, please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) with your publications, grants, professional accomplishments, and other relevant qualifications and activities. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
OR
a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Major Duties
The Supervisory Research Zoologist leads NZCBI's Center for Conservation Genomics and is responsible for developing, expanding and implementing an ambitious science and conservation program to advance the field of conservation genomics and related research areas. In this position, you will: Lead the development of a multifaceted research program in conservation genomics that addresses a broad range of complex and advanced scientific and applied challenges in the field. Conduct research using genomic, transcriptomic, environmental DNA (eDNA), and ancient DNA approaches to evaluate genetic diversity, population history, species distribution, abundance, diet, evolutionary processes, and conservation outcomes, while advancing bioinformatics solutions to inform conservation strategies.
Formulate specific and authoritative conclusions that are presented in a series of published contributions in the field of conservation genomics. Serve as an expert advisor/consultant to personnel within the scientific and professional community in Federal Agencies, Universities, Laboratories, Zoological Parks, Research facilities on matters related to areas of conservation genomics. Provide leadership, oversight, and direction for key NZCBI programs and functions, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and the successful achievement of NZCBI mission objectives.
Conditions of Employment
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job-related competencies below: Knowledge in developing, planning, initiating, leading and managing advanced scientific investigations in conservation genomics. Skill in formulating specific and authoritative conclusions that are published in contributions to the field of wildlife ecology and conservation in journals and books national and international.
Skill in serving as an expert advisor/consultant to scientific/professional community on conservation genomics and species conservation. Ability to provide the full scope of strategic, technical, and administrative supervision to staff. 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: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience.
Your resume 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.
Additional Information
This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please
Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages.
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
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.
In addition to a two-page resume, please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining your publications, grants, professional accomplishments, and other relevant qualifications and activities. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center - How do I write a resume for a federal job? 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.
In addition to a two-page resume, please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining your publications, grants, professional accomplishments, and other relevant qualifications and activities.