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Supervisory Biologist

Job

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, DC (In Person)

$117,778 Salary, Full-Time

Posted 2 weeks ago (Updated 1 week ago) • Actively hiring

Expires 7/1/2026

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Job Description

Supervisory Biologist Smithsonian Institution
  • 4.1 Washington, DC Job Details Full-time $102,415
  • $133,142 a year 16 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Flexible spending account Life insurance Qualifications Zoo experience Staff performance monitoring Staff supervision Expense management Administrative experience Hiring Team management Annual budget preparation Wildlife care experience Operational budget management Organizational budget management Full Job Description Apply Supervisory Biologist Smithsonian Institution Apply Print Share Save Summary This job is open to Duties Requirements How you will be evaluated Required documents How to apply 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 This position is located in Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). The mission of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is to save species by using cutting edge science, sharing knowledge and providing inspirational experiences for our guests. Learn more about this agency 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 This position is located in Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). The mission of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is to save species by using cutting edge science, sharing knowledge and providing inspirational experiences for our guests. Learn more about this agency Overview Help Accepting applications Posted yesterday
  • Apply by 06/09/26 Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 9, 2026 Location Washington, DC FEW vacancies No matching locations found. Work site options Telework eligible Yes—Ad-hoc telework available Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $102,415
  • $133,142 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time
  • Full-Time, Permanent Travel Required Occasional travel
  • Travel may be required for meetings/conferences and/or on animal shipments. Appointment type Permanent
  • Federal Occupations and job series 0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR) Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance.
The type depends on the job. Background check type Credentialing Suitability/Fitness Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number 26R-MA-313890-DEU-NZP Control number 870532600 This job is open to Help The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.
Note:
Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement #26R-MA-313890-MPA-NZP. More than one selection may be made from this announcement. Duties Help The Supervisory Biologist (Curator) is responsible for curating animal collections which may include exotic, rare, endangered and native species, maintaining excellence in all aspects of the care and welfare of these animals, supervising animal keeper staff who are responsible for the care, husbandry, and daily management of a wide variety of species. In this position, you will: Supervise assistant curators, animal keepers, volunteers, interns, students, and contractors. Manage all aspects of the daily care and husbandry of the assigned animal collections. Prepare annual budget for routine and emergency needs. Develop and implement management, disease surveillance, and breeding programs for endangered or threatened species. Requirements Help Conditions of employment 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. 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.
Qualifications 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 A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. 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-11 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: supervising staff including hiring and performance management; curating and managing animal collections with exotic animals in an accredited zoo; managing administrative work including budget management and communication; and collaborating with facilities construction and design. 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, 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. Special Instructions for
Foreign Education:
If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. Education Refer to the "Qualifications" section. Additional information This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Recruitment Incentive:
Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note:
This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https:
//www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts
  • https://www.fsafeds.com/ Health Insurance
  • http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp Leave
  • http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp Life Insurance
  • http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp Long Term Care Insurance
  • http://www.ltcfeds.com Retirement Program
  • https://www.
opm.gov/retirement-services/ How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. 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: Skill in supervising and managing an animal care staff to include assigning work in a zoo setting. Knowledge of the procedures necessary for the care, study and management of a collection of living, captive and wild animals. Knowledge in preparing an annual budget for a department/organization and monitoring expenses. Ability to develop management plans for research, conservation, and breeding programs. 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. Benefits Help The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https:
//www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts
  • https://www.fsafeds.com/ Health Insurance
  • http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp Leave
  • http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp Life Insurance
  • http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp Long Term Care Insurance
  • http://www.ltcfeds.com Retirement Program
  • https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/ Required documents Required Documents Help Your application package should include the following documents: Resume
  • Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder.
Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center
  • How do I write a resume for a federal job? Proof of Veteran's Preference
  • DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran.
Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment. Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. How to Apply Help Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below. Agency contact information Beatrice Dabney Phone 202-633-6336 Email Address
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600
Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 5060 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States Next steps At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing ; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Additional Information:
Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply. The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information can be found on our website at (www.si.edu/oeesd). Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request Required Documents Help Your application package should include the following documents: Resume
  • Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder.
Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), and hours worked per week, for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position. For assistance with creating a resume, please click USAJOBS Help Center
  • How do I write a resume for a federal job? Proof of Veteran's Preference
  • DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran.
Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter. Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment. Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. How to Apply Help Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below. Agency contact information Beatrice Dabney Phone 202-633-6336 Email Address
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600
Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 5060 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States Next steps At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing ; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Additional Information:
Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply. The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer. Additional information can be found on our website at (www.si.edu/oeesd). Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request 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 This position is located in Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). The mission of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is to save species by using cutting edge science, sharing knowledge and providing inspirational experiences for our guests. Learn more about this agency Overview Help Accepting applications Posted yesterday
  • Apply by 06/09/26 Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 9, 2026 Location Washington, DC FEW vacancies No matching locations found. Work site options Telework eligible Yes—Ad-hoc telework available Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $102,415
  • $133,142 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job. Work schedule Full-time
  • Full-Time, Permanent Travel Required Occasional travel
  • Travel may be required for meetings/conferences and/or on animal shipments. Appointment type Permanent
  • Federal Occupations and job series 0401 General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences Supervisory status Yes Federal service type This job is in the Competitive Service Represented by a union No Drug test No Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR) Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance.
The type depends on the job. Background check type Credentialing Suitability/Fitness Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number 26R-MA-313890-DEU-NZP Control number 870532600 Previous result Next result