Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another. Responsibilities The salary range for this position reflects the Museum's authorized salary range for this position. The Research Botanist conducts scholarly and professional research and curation on selected plant groups in the United States National Herbarium, utilizing a broad range of modern techniques in plant systematics and evolution for collections-based research, and serves as a representative of the Department, Museum, and Smithsonian Institution in matters relating to funding, fieldwork, and public outreach concerning plants. In this position, you will: Initiate, develop, and personally participate in research and fieldwork concerning the biology, evolution, systematics, and classification of a specialty group of plants. Publish scholarly reports of descriptive and/or theoretical nature based one's own field and experimental work, the study of collections in this and other institutions, and existing scholarly publications. Curate portions of the National Collection in specialty area and, through fieldwork and acquisition of specimens, maintain, improve, and develop the United States National Herbarium. Serve as a consultant and expert advisor on professional matters in this area to colleagues, Federal agencies, other governments, institutions, organizations, and the general public. Seek non-departmental funding from sources within and beyond the Smithsonian. 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 Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website. Qualifications Basic Education Requirements: 1. Degree: botany; or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany. or 2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in botany or basic plant science that included at least 24 semester hours in botany, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For positions dealing with the study of fungi, or with basic mycological relationships, the course work in botany must have included at least 6 semester hours in mycology. Evaluation of Education: Courses in basic botany, plant anatomy or morphology, cytology, histology, genetics, taxonomy or systematics, algology, mycology, ethnobotany, and those dealing with specific problems of a botanical nature or with specific groups of plants are qualifying. The courses required for mycologists are specific and must have been in mycology. In addition to the basic qualification requirement above: 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as conducting natural history collections-based research in areas of biology, evolution, or systematics of a specialty group of plants, as evidenced by one or more peer-reviewed scientific publications in the area of taxonomic specialization; and having used collections for research purposes or played a role in development and management of a collection. 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 in a related field. 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. Unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) MUST be submitted within your application package by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Please see the required documents section for special instructions on how to submit the required proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign education. Education See under Qualifications. Additional Information This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.