Clarification from the agency

Current Federal Smithsonian employees who have Federal career/career-conditional status or eligibility.

1. Participates with the Director to provide executive leadership and direction for overall planning, development and management of NZCBI business 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 (KPIs) and metrics to ensure that the Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is operating at optimum performance levels.

2. Provides direct oversight of the financial health of NZCBI, monitoring the overall budget and approving out of cycle expenditures. Identifies opportunities for increased revenues, balanced with guest experience, and maximizes the use of gifts, grants, endowments, and other sources of funding to ensure a fiscally viable and financially healthy organization.

3. Establishes a leadership style that emphasizes open and clear written and oral communications. Coaches and counsels staff and encourage a team-based approach to project planning and implementation, readjusting operations to meet strategic plan initiatives, priorities and/or changing needs.

4. Develops and maintains standards and criteria for operational activities to include but not limited to Strategic Initiatives, Human Capital, Project Management, Finance and Administration, Revenue Generation, Information Technology, Visitor Operations, Education, and Volunteer Management while providing direct support to Planning and Project Management, Operations Management, Exhibits, External Affairs, Animal Care Sciences, and Conservation and Science.

5. 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 and equal employment opportunity. Promotes policies and procedures that foster employee engagement.

6. Directly supervises key senior supervisory staff to include the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives, Finance and Administration, Visitor Operations, and Information Technology. 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.

7. Represents NZCBI, as required, at a wide variety of Smithsonian policy meetings and conferences, including Congressional hearings. Exercises delegated authority to commit NZCBI resources or make decisions affecting all NZCBI programs.

8. Consults and collaborates with and advises other Federal agencies, State, regional, and local government agencies, private associations and institutions, not-for-profit organizations, interest groups and representatives of foreign governments, zoos, and conservation organizations on agreements, requests, cooperative efforts, research, and scientific inquiries of common interest.

9. Explores and develops joint programs in cooperation with universities, federal agencies and other SI units 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.

10. At the Director’s request, assumes responsibility for directing and overseeing pan-organizational projects of special interest to NZCBI.

11. Serves as Acting Director of NZCBI in the Director's absence, with full authority and responsibility for overall management of NZCBI.

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 Services

Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.

Qualifications

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated leadership skills in managing the financial functions of a zoological park, museum, research center or cultural organization.  This includes creating and overseeing financial and business policies, procedures and program goals.

The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing short- and long-term strategic planning and development over entire business programs and activities and collaborating with mangers and senior officials on efficient and effective program execution. This should include experience in formulating and implementing strategic priorities, goal setting, establishing metrics and reporting protocols.

2. Skill in preparing operating budgets and capital expenditure plans, and in leveraging alternative funding sources to support sustainable and fiscally responsible organizational growth.

3. Skill in building cooperative relationships between colleagues and organizations within your oversight, and with stakeholders inside and outside the Institution. This includes explaining positions/solutions, both orally and in writing, and gaining acceptance by museum and/or research facility colleagues and customers/managers at all levels. 

4. Skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multi-disciplinary and talented workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale, as well as attracting, retaining, and motivating employees.

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.