The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  This position is located in the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center is a research institute of the Smithsonian Institution dedicated to ecological and environmental research education.

Duties

The Research Ecologist is responsible for SERC’s research program in costal landscape ecology specifically to conceive, plan, and conduct ecological research, to extend unexplored aspects and theories, and to discover new understanding primarily focused on landscape-scale ecological science with a focus on costal ecosystem responses to climate change, sea level rise, and other anthropogenic impacts.

Requirements

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements: Degree: biology, or a related field of science underlying ecological research that included at least 30 semester hours in basic and applied biological sciences. These hours must have included at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences. You must submit a copy of your unofficial college transcripts for verification in order to be considered. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: GS-13 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 research investigating coastal landscape scale ecological science of ecosystem responses to climate change, sea level rise, and other anthropogenic impacts; obtaining research funding from competitive internal and/or extramural funding sources; publishing data-rich papers with regional and/or national application and significance; presenting research results to scientific and other audiences; and coordination of research projects and teams. 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.

Education

There is no education substitution for Specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address SMITHSONIAN Office of Human Resources POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 5060 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States
• Name: Shaunte Taylor
• Phone: 202-633-6339
• Email: [email protected]