Supervisory Biologist

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 Animal Care Science (ACS), Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Office of the Under Secretary of Science and Research (OUSSR), Smithsonian Institution (SI).

The Supervisory Biologist is responsible for managing animal collections that may include exotic, rare, endangered, and native species; ensuring excellence in animal care and welfare; supervising animal keeper staff responsible for husbandry and daily animal management; leading research programs; conducting assisted reproductive technologies; and mentoring students, interns, and research staff.

In this position, you will: Supervises assistant curators, animal keepers, volunteers, and contractors, and plans, organizes, and directs personnel and work activities. Oversees the daily care and husbandry of assigned animal collections, ensuring appropriate housing, nutrition, pest control, capture and restraint procedures, transportation, breeding management, and animal welfare standards.

Prepares and manages annual budgets for routine operations and emergency requirements, monitoring expenditures to ensure compliance with approved funding levels. Develops and implements management, disease surveillance, and breeding programs for endangered and threatened species.

Basic Qualifications

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 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-12 level in the Federal Service.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as supervising staff, including hiring and performance management; overseeing animal care and welfare in an accredited zoo; managing budgets and administrative operations; working with exotic animals; and collaborating on facility design and construction projects. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri.

Corps) 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.