Research Ecologist.

The Smithsonian Institution is hiring a Research Ecologist in Edgewater, MD, responsible for overseeing the Forest Global Earth Observatory. Duties include supervising staff, formulating ecological research conclusions, and advising scientific communities. Candidates need a degree in biology or a related field and specialized experience in ecology. The position requires scientific contributions and managing research projects, with specific qualifications outlined for applicants.
Duties

The Research Ecologist is responsible for Smithsonian Institution’s Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO). Exploring new scientific aspects and test ecological theories to extend environmental and ecological understanding.

In This Position, You Will:
• Supervise staff in unit, agency, or organization’s environmental and ecological research program.
• Formulate specific and authoritative conclusions that are presented in a series of published contributions in the field of forest ecology and conservation.
• Serve as an expert advisor/consultant to personnel within the scientific and professional community, in other Federal agencies, universities, laboratories, forest research institutes, research facilities, etc. on matters related to areas of responsibility.
• Be responsible for scientific service to SI, SERC, ForestGEO, and the broader scholarly community.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements for Ecologist – GS-0408:

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 to be considered.

In Addition To Meeting The Basic Requirement Above, To Qualify For This Position You Must Also Meet The Specialized Experience And/or Education Requirements Listed Below:

GS-15 Experience:You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Service. For this position Specialized experience is defined as research investigating ecology such as environmental science, forestry, marine biology, geography, biology, or other related subject; obtaining research funding from competitive internal and/or extramural funding sources; authoring data-rich papers with national and/or international application and significance in peer-reviewed journals; presenting research results to scientific and other audiences; and leading or managing coordination of complex 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.

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. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Education

You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

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.

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.
• 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

Flexible Spending Accounts -

Health Insurance -

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Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -