OPEN DATE: July 8, 2024
CLOSING DATE: July 19, 2024 ((This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
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 Learning and Visitor Education team offers a variety of programs conducted in person and virtually that spark learner interest through curiosity, building connections with nature and wildlife, increasing knowledge, and empowering everyone to drive solutions for a more sustainable planet. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for working as part of a team to develop and facilitate education programs and resources for K-12 students (NZCBI’s Conservation Classroom), focusing on nationwide virtual programs, online learning materials and resources, and evaluation.
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/SCBI that support students, teachers, and families. (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.
Education Program Coordination
- Develops, delivers and evaluates age-appropriate and accessible in-person and virtual education experiences; including activities, programs, and products for K-12 students and teachers (linked to national curriculum standards [NGSS] 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/SCBI 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 which 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 and to ensure that desired objectives are met in a timely fashion and are within budget.
- Collects and reports metrics for assigned programs.
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Demonstrated experience developing and delivering in-person and virtual programs/resources for teachers, students, and families nationwide, including distance learning programs, webinars, videos, Smithsonian Learning Lab collections, eLearning, and activities.
- Demonstrated experience with digital technologies and platforms for development and delivery of accessible educational programs and resources including video editing, design, and eLearning authoring software, LMS systems (ex: Moodle), and digital delivery platforms (ex: Zoom, Teams).
- Demonstrated skill in production and delivery of programs and materials that accurately translate scientific information from science and animal care to general audiences, address NGSS science standards for K-12, and are part of a continual cycle of assessment and evaluation.
- Demonstrated skill in creation and delivery of inclusive and accessible programs and materials (virtual and in-person) for all NZP/SCBI audiences.
- Demonstrated skill in educational program assessment including data collection and statistical analysis to provide regular reporting on assigned programs for both internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to develop and deliver training (synchronous/asynchronous) for staff and volunteers in interpretive techniques providing them with enriching tools and activities for engaging NZP/SCBI audiences.
- Skill in oral and written communication (including the interpretation of complex scientific topics) to provide information, to address a variety of audiences, and to serve as an interface between the community and NZP/SCBI.
- Ability to exercise independent judgement in interpreting and apply education learning theory and best practices to activities and products, and requests assistance from the supervisor when s/he/they is uncertain about guidelines or procedures.
- Ability to show initiative, creativity, and flexibility in a team-oriented environment that produces and delivers high-quality educational programming to public audiences.
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.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
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.