Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals (including Veterans recruitment). Excepted Service employees may also apply to this announcement.

• Independently initiates, develops, and participates in research and fieldwork to investigate the paleobiology and evolution and ecology of marine macro-invertebrate fossils; publishes scholarly research and curates National Collections in specialty area; collaborates with outside researchers.
• Organizes, obtains funds for, and participates in collecting and analyzing specimen-based data to address questions relating to paleobiology.
• Serves as consultant and expert advisor on professional matters in expertise area to Smithsonian, other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations, scientific organizations, and general public.
• As requested, develops exhibits plans within area of specialization; conducts attendant research and provides documentation and technical consultation during exhibits planning and construction.
• Develops and maintains collections in area of expertise; assures proper documentation, identification, authentication, and storage of the collection.
• As assigned, serves as Acting Chair of department in the Chair’s absence, and/or, generally on a rotating basis.

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.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

NOTE: Please list within your resume all peer-reviewed publications or equivalent.

Qualifications

You must meet these Basic Education Requirements:

For the Research Biologist:

A. Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

or

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

For the Research Geologist:

A. Degree: geology, plus 20 additional semester hours in any combination of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative planetology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography.

or

B. Combination of education and experience -- course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to Basic Requirements above, you must have following:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position specialized experience is defined as conducting research in the paleobiology of marine macro-invertebrate fossils; exhibits, educational outreach, advising, and/or consulting on areas of research expertise; organization and curation of fossil collections and related data as evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific research publications or their equivalent and experience securing funding through peer-reviewed grant application process.  

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.

Or Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards.

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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below:

• Ability to conduct specimen-based research in the paleobiology of marine macro-invertebrate fossils, with particular potential for creative excellence in studies of evolutionary and/or paleoecological patterns and processes using morphology, phylogenetics, biogeography, and/or biogeochemistry (e.g., stable isotopes, trace elements).
• Ability to contribute to exhibits and other forms of educational outreach and to serve as a consultant and advisor on areas of expertise.
• Ability to organize and supervise the curation and scholarly access to collections of fossils and/or data relating to area of specialty. 

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies 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-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles 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 vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note:

The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Applicants that are referred to the hiring manager for further consideration may be asked to provide additional materials.