Animal Keeper (Helper)

Duties

The Animal Keeper position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), either at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Washington, DC or at the Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, VA. This position may rotate between Animal Programs and the Commissary as part of a training program or be reassigned to one of the three animal care departments depending on animal care requirements.

In this position, you will:

• Assist higher graded Animal Keepers with performing proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of wild and exotic animals.
• Assist higher graded Animal Keepers with the health and welfare of animals, monitoring animals for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions.
• Clean animal enclosures by hosing, seeping, scrubbing, raking, and removing manure, unconsumed food.
• Assist higher graded Animal Keepers with developing assignments in receipt, storage, inspection, inventory, and preparation of food and dietary requirements.
• Prepare and issue food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding for animals.

Requirements

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.

Conditions of Employment

Physical Requirements:
This position requires the physical ability to lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds; work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions; work also requires extended periods of standing, walking, bending, and stooping; work may be performed in closed or cramped spaces.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

For information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, see OPM’s website.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.

  Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.

  Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
  Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
  Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
  Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
  Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
  Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Your application package should include the following documents:

  • Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.

    For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.
  • Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
  • Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
  • Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  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.

• How to Apply

  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.
  • 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.
  • If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.

  Agency contact information

  Fallon Lawson

  Phone

  202-746-9581

  Email

  [email protected]

  Address

  SMITHSONIAN
  Office of Human Resources
  POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
  Suite 5060
  Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
  United States

  Next steps

  At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing [email protected]; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:

  • Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm.
  • The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized.
  • The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement #24R-LT-311372-MPA-NZP. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.