Summary
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.
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.
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.
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.