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 within the field of zoology, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.
Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology. In addition to the basic qualification requirements above: Experience: You must have one year of full-time experience at the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system that is close or similar to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. For this position specialized experience is defined as identifying mammal specimens, preparing museum study skins of any kind, and collecting living vertebrates for a museum of any size. 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 Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higherlevel graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related as specified above. Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) MUST be submitted within your application package by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Special instructions for submitting foreign education may be found under the required documents section. Or Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications; For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (SPECIFY) and who are in a (Federal competitive or excepted service appointment) (Trust) as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
The Musuem Specialist (Zoology) performs independent assignments and collections management support duties that may include processing and distribution of scientific specimens in the Department of Zoology. In this position, you will: Complete assignments and collections management support duties that include processing and distribution of scientific specimens and preparation of outgoing packages and opening of incoming packages of specimens, supplies, and literature. Examine specimen and original data sources for information to aid in taxonomic identification of the specimen and describing its characteristics. Create specimen records in museum collections information systems. Maintain various Departmental databases on packages, supplies, equipment, literature, space, cabinets. Prepare frozen, preserved, and fresh deceased specimens. Assist with cleaning specimens in prep-lab; makes tissue samples or other preparations that preserve specimens and enable research use.