This position serves as the Deputy Director of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution. The National Museum of Natural History is a science-based museum within the Smithsonian Institution's complex of museums and research organizations. The NMNH is dedicated to understanding and explaining the natural world and is the most visited natural history museum in the world. With over 145 million specimens and objects, the Museum’s collections represent over 90% of the Smithsonian's holdings. These collections, and the work of the scientific staff, form the foundation for the Museum’s extensive public programs, and include exhibitions, education, and outreach programs.
The incumbent serves as Deputy Director, NMNH, with overall responsibility, in collaboration with the Director, to formulate and implement strategic directions for the Science programs of the Museum. Inherent in this responsibility is to lead the management of the research departments, collections programs, museum outreach activities on exhibits, education and communications, specialized laboratories, field stations, and other similar programs and partnerships. The incumbent will assure the quality and breadth of all Museum activities and provide institutional leadership in broader national and international programs.
Summary
This position serves as the Deputy Director of the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), Smithsonian Institution. The National Museum of Natural History is a science-based museum within the Smithsonian Institution's complex of museums and research organizations. The NMNH is dedicated to understanding and explaining the natural world and is the most visited natural history museum in the world. With over 145 million specimens and objects, the Museum’s collections represent over 90% of the Smithsonian's holdings. These collections, and the work of the scientific staff, form the foundation for the Museum’s extensive public programs, and include exhibitions, education, and outreach programs.
The incumbent serves as Deputy Director, NMNH, with overall responsibility, in collaboration with the Director, to formulate and implement strategic directions for the Science programs of the Museum. Inherent in this responsibility is to lead the management of the research departments, collections programs, museum outreach activities on exhibits, education and communications, specialized laboratories, field stations, and other similar programs and partnerships. The incumbent will assure the quality and breadth of all Museum activities and provide institutional leadership in broader national and international programs.
Participates with the Director to provide executive leadership and direction for overall planning, development and management of museum programs and activities. Participates or leads the formulation of long- and short-range goals and objectives and issues policy guidelines. Ensures that policies are carried out effectively. Monitors strategic goals, Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and metrics to ensure that the Museum is operating at optimum performance levels. Integrates scientific and outreach leadership to enable the Museum strategic plan, science strategy and public master plan along with individual departmental objectives.
Develops and maintains standards and criteria for program development and execution. Reviews and evaluates proposals for new programs or major shifts or expansions in existing programs through museum leadership and established committee recommendations. Makes decisions on approval or disapproval of such proposals.
Directs and coordinates the activities of subordinate offices and assists the Director in developing and implementing operating policy, standards, and procedures. Develops and monitors policies to achieve management objectives in areas such as strategic workforce management, diversity, and equal employment opportunity.
Supports fundraising and related activities, to include programs for constituency-building, marketing, and Board development in order to increase support and visibility for the Museum. The Chief Development Officer, while reporting to the Director, will work closely with the Deputy, who will act as the Director on fundraising and stewardship of donors when the Director is unavailable.
Directly supervises all museum leadership with the exception of Development and the Director’s office. Executes performance management of subordinates for both individual and organizational performance. Sets and communicates goals and expectations. Reviews and approves recommendations for personnel actions affecting subordinates. Assures that subordinate supervisors effectively carry out their performance management responsibilities.
Represents the Director, as required, at a wide variety of Smithsonian policy meetings and conferences, including Congressional hearings. Exercises delegated authority to commit Museum resources or make decisions affecting museum programs.
In concert with the Director, the Deputy Director helps to coordinate the activities of the NMNH Advisory Board, working closely with the Board, Executive Committee and various other committees to develop museum priorities. Represents the Director as needed and interacts with Board members on a wide variety of issues.
Collaborates, consults, and advises other Federal agencies, State, regional, and local government agencies, private associations and institutions, and representatives of foreign museums on the establishment and management of museums and related cultural and educational institutions.
Explores and develops joint programs in cooperation with universities, federal agencies and other Smithsonian museums and research facilities. Reviews and recommends appropriate action on applications or proposals for Federal or non-federal grants or contracts to finance research, acquisition or exhibition projects.
Serves as Acting Director of NMNH in the Director's absence, with full authority and responsibility for overall management of the Museum.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must clearly demonstrate the necessary level of managerial and leadership skills and competence to perform successfully in this position. This includes a degree in an applicable subject matter field, or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. An MBA/advanced degree in a related field from a leading university is highly desired.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-15 level or equivalent private sector level. This experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills related to management/operations expertise in a museum, nonprofit organization, foundation, private corporation, or government agency that has been acquired through years of progressive experience.
The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated leadership and familiarity with museum management, including management of functions such as exhibitions, curation and collections management, conservation, education, public communication of science, marketing and public programs.
2. Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a large and multi-faceted anthropological, biological or geological science research organization or program, including a track record of creating a strong pipeline for philanthropic gifts and grant based funding.
3. Demonstrated experience in leading, planning and managing long-range museum operations, including facilities and safety operations, capital improvement, security and information technology operations. This should include experience with executive level budgeting, metrics and resource management.
4. Skill in leading and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce. This should include fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining and motivating employees; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.
Additional information
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The incumbent receives administrative supervision from the Director, National Museum of Natural History, who provides broad outlines of basic policy, program objectives, and delegated authority and responsibility. The incumbent plans and carries out assigned responsibilities independently. The incumbent consults with the Director on major policy questions or controversial issues, and keeps him informed of all significant programs and potential problems. Work performance is appraised in terms of overall effectiveness in the attainment of program goals and objectives.
SECURITY LEVEL This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be Public Trust/HIGH RISK. This designation will require 1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and 2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and favorable adjudication in order to continue in the position.
EEO The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When crafting your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.
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 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 the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment. To preview questions please click here.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
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.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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.
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.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
