OPEN DATE: June 13, 2024
CLOSING DATE: June 18, 2024
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) Years
SCHEDULE: Full-Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
- Complete a Probationary Period
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Smithsonian Institution is a unique complex of 21 museums and galleries, the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and nine research centers. The Smithsonian is a national and world treasure and is dedicated to its founding mission, “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute plays a leading role in the Smithsonian’s global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
This position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (NZP) , with a duty station based out of the NZP Washington, DC offices.
The purpose of the position is to (1) develop, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate educational programs (both virtual and in-person) and digital e-learning publications and other resources for NZP that support students, teachers, and families as part of NZP’s “Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian” activities, (2) provide support for digital education outreach initiatives, including webcasts, videos, and other digital media for general Zoo visitors, students and teachers (both local and national) and, (3) deliver digital e-learning courses and in-person interpretive training for staff and volunteers.
This is a two-year term, Trust-funded position at the IS 09 pay scale, offered by the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position that may require some weekend, evening, or early morning hours. This position is eligible for part-time telework, subject to organizational and departmental availability, program needs, and individual work style.
The position requires both outdoor and office tasks, therefore the applicant must be able to work in an outdoor/park environment including walking on trails, over uneven terrain, bending, lifting, digging, and planting. The individual must be able to lift and carry at least 45 pounds and be able to work in sometimes adverse conditions that include rain, heat, insects, etc.
Education Program Coordination
- Develops, delivers, and evaluates age-appropriate and accessible in-person and virtual education experiences; including activities, programs, and products for PreK-12 students and teachers (linked to national curriculum standards and classroom curriculum), volunteers, and general zoo audiences.
- Creates support materials (i.e. curriculum guides, instructions, data collection guides, resource materials, activity sheets, etc.) for these experiences or to extend self-directed learning and exploration. Assists with all stages of development, including assistance with conceptualizing programs and activities, design, development, testing, and evaluation.
- Works with appropriate staff to develop and implement programming using technology, for example, webcasting, web conferencing, eLearning modules, and LMS systems.
Training and Evaluation
- Conducts and assesses interpreter training using a blended learning model comprised of eLearning courses and onsite workshops. Trains volunteers in interpretive techniques and provide them with enriching tools and activities for engaging Zoo visitors.
- Collaborates with staff from science, animal care, and other departments of NZP to translate current research, collections, and initiatives into activities and materials for diverse audiences in informal settings.
- Assists with the development of evaluation plans. Administers evaluation instruments and utilizes analytic tools to summarize data and create reports that guide future program planning.
- Provides training to volunteers, interns, and contractors for programs, ensuring that all programs are delivered with attention to scientific accuracy and effective instructional techniques.
Program Administration
- Maintains budgets and timelines and monitors all financial requirements for assigned programs to ensure that desired objectives are met in a timely fashion and are within budget.
- Collects and reports metrics for assigned programs.
- Performs other duties as required.
- Demonstrated experience developing and delivering age-appropriate and accessible in-person and virtual education experiences, including activities, programs, and products for PreK-12 students and teachers, linked to national curriculum standards and classroom curriculum.
- Ability to create support materials (i.e. curriculum guides, instructions, data collection guides, resource materials, activity sheets, etc.) for education experiences or to extend self-directed learning and exploration.
- Experience developing and implementing educational programming using technology, for example, webcasting, web conferencing, eLearning modules, and LMS systems. Preferred experience with Zoom webcasting and Adobe and Articulate eLearning design platforms.
- Demonstrated skill in coordinating and producing educational programs and materials that are accurate and consistent with the NZCBI brand, address national early learning standards, and are part of a continual cycle of assessment and evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff from science, animal care, and other departments to translate current research, collections, and initiatives into activities and materials for diverse audiences in informal settings.
- Demonstrated skill in maintaining budgets and timelines to ensure that desired objectives are met in a timely fashion and are within budget.
To apply for this position, please include a cover letter and resume.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact BiagasL@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global efforts to save species, better understand ecosystems, and train future generations of conservationists. Founded in 1889, NZCBI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. NZCBI’s employees, located in the nation’s capital, Front Royal, Virginia, and worldwide, are leaders in conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats.