JOB SUMMARY:
The Smithsonian Institution is a unique working and learning environment that offers you continuing awareness of the world's treasures in culture, art, and science. If your goals include challenging work, being a valued member of an organization, and participation in exciting opportunities of exploration, become a part of our staff. Enjoy family friendly benefits; a complimentary membership to the Resident Associate Program with discounts on thousands of educational and cultural programs offered annually; discounts at Smithsonian membership programs, shops, and restaurants; and much more!
This position is located in the Reptile Department of the National Zoological Park and contributes to the creation of an overall environment for collection animals that ensures the health and welfare of the specimens and provides an enriching and memorable experience for the visiting public.
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
* This position is open to all US citizens.
* Prior Federal experience is not required.
* Employment is contingent upon a background investigation.
* A probationary period of 1 year may be required.
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Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:
few vacancies - Washington DC Metro Area, DC
Performs a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of wild and exotic animals, many of which are rare and endangered:
* Receives, inspects, stores, prepares, and issues food, dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials.
* Monitors animals for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions; and reports observations.
* Connects with visitors regarding animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status of animals in the wild, care and feeding of animals, and other topics of interest.
* Assists professional and scientific personnel in carrying out studies of animal collections.
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Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
To be rated qualified, an applicant's overall experience must indicate possession of the minimum knowledge, skills and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position with normal supervision.
You may be assigned to any eight-hour shift. Animal keepers are "Essential" employees and are subject to be called at any time, including weekends, holidays, and for critical or emergency situations.
You may be assigned to a unit within the departments of Animal Programs, Nutrition, or Animal Health, may rotate between Animal Programs and the Commissary as part of a training program, or may be reassigned to one of the three animal care departments. Temporary duty at the Conservation Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia may be included as part of training in specific husbandry techniques for staff whose permanent duty station is Washington, D.C.
Your overall experience and training must indicate that you have the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities needed to perform the duties of this position. There is no substitution of education for experience for this position. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Additional information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations can be found on OPM's web site at
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c/index.htm .
PHYSICAL EFFORT
The work requires the ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds. The work also requires extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and stooping.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. You may be exposed to dust and to unpleasant odors and noises from the animals and to cleaning solutions and other chemicals. You must receive immunizations to guard against zoological diseases and may be subject to regular medical screening.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
The online questionnaire will evaluate your experience and/or training that address the job elements below:
1. Ability to do the work of an experienced Animal Keeper without more than normal supervision demonstrated by experience performing a full range of specialized duties that contribute to the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of aquatic and non-aquatic mammals, carnivores, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and plants in a zoological setting. (This is the screen-out element. Applicants who are not rated satisfactory or potentially satisfactory on this element will be rated ineligible and will not be evaluated on the remaining elements.)
2. Ability to use hand and mechanical tools used in the care for animals and constructing exhibits.
3. Knowledge of the physical, environmental and behavior patterns of wild exotic and/or endangered amphibians and reptiles.
4. Ability to handle wild exotic and/or endangered animals in a safe and non-stressful manner, and ability to follow animal care procedures such as feeding, cleaning enclosures, capturing and transporting of animals such as such as amphibians and reptiles.
5. Ability to interpret unusual behavior, signs of illness or injury of collection animals and ability to record observations in writing such as keeping records and making reports.
6. Ability to communicate orally and provide information to the public in an educational setting.
7. Skill in husbandry (including training & enrichment), rearing and/or breeding of amphibians and reptiles including developing breeding and husbandry protocols.
8. Skill in conducting and documenting water quality tests and the abilities to apply the necessary corrective measures to maintain proper water quality.
