The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Life Support Systems & Water Quality Office, Office of Planning Facilities and Exhibits, National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Office of the Under Secretary of Science and Research (OUSSR), Smithsonian Institution (SI).
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as supporting senior staff with the operation, upkeep, and management of aquatic exhibits and life support systems, and ensuring the health and welfare of aquatic animals. 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: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related may be substituted for the required experience. 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. 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. In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (1601) and who are in a Federal competitive or excepted service appointment as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
The Life Support Systems and Water Quality Specialist is responsible for assisting in the oversite of the operation, maintenance, and management of aquatic exhibits and life support systems within NZCBI. In this position, you will: Assist with Life Support Systems (LSS) and collaborates with the Water Quality Supervisor to manage the daily operation, control, and maintenance of aquatic exhibits. Oversee the operation and maintenance of aquatic exhibits and life support systems, ensuring optimal water quality for animal care and public exhibition throughout the organization. Ensure the safe operation of hazardous systems, such as ozone disinfection, by collaborating with institutional and federal safety authorities. Assist in developing and maintaining written protocols for system monitoring, maintenance, and regulatory compliance; supports training and documentation efforts for junior operators.