Summary
The Smithsonian lnstitution is the worlds largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park, nine research facilities and the Smithsonian Libraries. 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.
This job is open to
- 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: Vacancy open Government-Wide under Job Announcement # 24R-CW-309587-MPA-NZP.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Duties
The Animal Keeper position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), either at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington, DC or at the Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, VA. This position may rotate between Animal Programs and the Commissary as part of a training program or be reassigned to one of the three animal care departments depending on animal care requirements.
In this position you will:
- Receive training in animal health and welfare, monitoring animals for symptoms of illness, injuries or other unusual conditions.
- Engage with visitors by discussing animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status of animals in the wild, care and feeding of animals, and other topics of interest.
- Ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of wild and exotic animals, many of which are rare and endangered.
- Receive training in measurement and preparation of food items and maintenance of sanitary conditions around feeding areas.
- Clean animal enclosures by hosing, sweeping, scrubbing, raking, and removing manure, unconsumed food, and other refuse and keeps service areas and adjacent public areas clean.
- Maintain enclosure materials by trimming and watering plants, replacing nesting and bedding material in accordance with instructions provided by higher level personnel.
- Receive training and developmental assignments in the receipt, storage, inspection, inventory, preparation and issuance of food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials.
- Unload and store food supplies and as instructed and under close supervision prepare animal diets according to standard procedures.
- Assemble food in properly marked containers and deliver or issue food to caretakers.
- Perform other duties and development assignments as assigned.
Requirements
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.
For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the physical ability to perform moderately heavy work including lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 100 lbs.; work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and will be exposed to dust and to unpleasant odors and noises from the animals and to cleaning solutions and other chemicals. The work is performed on concrete floors and other hard surfaces. The work may be performed in closed or cramped spaces. He/she will be exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste, and may be exposed to animal parasites and zoonotic diseases.
The selectee must receive immunizations to guard against zoonotic diseases and is subject to regular medical screening; may be assigned to any eight hour shift and is subject to call at any time, including weekends and holidays; and will be considered to be emergency personnel for purposes of being on call during government shutdowns due to inclement weather, Code Red terrorism alerts, and other emergency situations, to ensure adequate animal care is provided as required.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
For information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, see OPM’s web site at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/federal-wage-system-qualifications/
In order to be rated qualified, an applicant’s overall experience and training must indicate possession of the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position such as, the skill and ability to carry out routine animal keeper duties; the ability to understand instructions given by higher level animal keeper personnel; the ability to carry out training and developmental assignments; the ability to catch and handle animals by hand or by using nets without injuring the animals or endangering him/herself; the familiarity with a range of animal species in order to identify them by natural markings such as color; and the ability to operate motorized vehicles/scooters on NZCBI grounds.
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.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.
Additional information
This position is included in the bargaining unit.
Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title;
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
- Agency; and,
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
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.
- Benefits
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.
Applications will be evaluated for the following Job Elements necessary to perform the duties of this position:
- Skill in preparing diets for aquatic and non-aquatic mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
- Knowledge of handling and inspecting food, dietary supplements, and forage.
- Knowledge of a variety of foods, forages and supplements commonly used in zoo diets, including, familiarity with nutrient composition.
- Knowledge of safe food handling, preparation and sanitation practices, HACCP and bio-security principles.
- Ability to use equipment and computers in food production, preparation and distribution in a zoo setting.
Applicants will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
- Best Category – Meets the screen-out element and excels in most of the job-related elements above.
- Better Category – Meets the screen-out element and satisfies most of the job-related elements above.
- Good Category – Meets the screen-out element but does not satisfy most of the job-related elements 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-veterans within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no veteran in that category is passed over to select a non-veteran in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.
Veterans 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 announcement 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
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
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
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. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
USAJOBS has guidance on how to ensure that you submit a complete resume: If you have not written a Federal resume before, you may watch this Resume Writing Tutorial video on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ article on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
- 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.
- Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration.
- Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order.
- Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
- Resume – Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
- How to Apply
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).
- You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- 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.
Additional Information:
- Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply.
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Agency contact information
HR Specialist
Phone
202-633-6321
TDD
202-633-6409
Email
washingtonlm@si.edu
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 vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
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. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
USAJOBS has guidance on how to ensure that you submit a complete resume: If you have not written a Federal resume before, you may watch this Resume Writing Tutorial video on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ article on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
- 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.
- Proof of severe disability if you are requesting special placement consideration.
- Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment, such as a permanent change station military order.
- Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically mentioned here.
How to Apply
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).
- You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- 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.
Additional Information:
- Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply.
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Agency contact information
HR Specialist
Phone
202-633-6321
TDD
202-633-6409
washingtonlm@si.edu
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 vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request