Application Deadline: 16 April 2025

Department: National Museum of Natural History

Location: Fort Pierce, FL

Compensation: $84,601 - $101,401 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: March 26, 2025
CLOSING DATE: April 16, 2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-1640-12, if selected at IS-11 level
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Fort Pierce, FL

Position sensitivity and risk
Example: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Must be able to be on-call after hours for urgent or emergency situations.

OVERVIEW

Come join a dedicated and creative team at an exceptional time for the Smithsonian, an institution with a bold vision for the future: to build a better tomorrow for all. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian's unique complex and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its mission is to promote understanding of the natural world and our place in it. NMNH has a collection of 148 million specimens and artifacts. Each one reflects a moment in space and time and in these moments, we find Earth's story.

The National Museum of Natural History is seeking an experienced candidate to fill the Facility Operations Specialist position based at the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Florida. The Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce (SMSFP), Florida, is administratively based at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). The Smithsonian Marine Station is a research center specializing in marine biodiversity and ecosystems of Florida. Research focuses on the Indian River Lagoon and the offshore waters of Florida's east central coast, with comparative studies throughout coastal Florida. Facilities include but are not limited to an administrative/laboratory building, visiting scientist house, storage building, seawater system and research aquarium, and research dock. The overall mission is support and conduct of scholarly research in the marine sciences, including collection, documentation and preservation of Florida's marine biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as education, training, and public service. The purpose of the position is to serve as Facilities Manager for SMSFP, which will entail managing the campus facilities, their systems, and grounds to meet the day-to-day physical plant needs of the campus and recommend/advise/manage facilities or related projects. The incumbent serves under the general administrative direction of the Head Scientist of the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce in the logistical operation of the facilities associated with a multidisciplinary marine research program. All Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (Facilities) Operational technical requirements are under the direction of the Assistant Director of Facility Operations of NMNH, Washington DC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure daily facility safety, cleanliness, and equipment functionality with industry best practices. Provide support for ongoing laboratory operations by coordinating and conducting maintenance and service on all on-site facilities, equipment, and associated systems. Ensure that all building systems are mapped, documented, inspected and fully operational, identifying or investigating failed systems and creating repair and/or improvement short- and long-term plans. Identify and implement plans to operate mechanical systems and maintain the facility. The work may be hands-on and/or through hired contractors. Oversee maintenance contracts, ensuring that work is performed per industry standard and on budget, schedule.

Plan, manage and maintain all organization's vehicles. Manage and oversee roadways, parking lot and walkways to ensure they are clear and usable.

Establish and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient and customer-focused operations. Provide timely communications with staff about projects and possible work disruptions.

Inspect, monitor, and maintain operation of seawater system and research aquarium facility, including outdoor tanks and drainage systems. This include refilling seawater tanks as needed by trailering water and ensuring seawater and reverse osmosis tanks and systems are clean and operational.

Plan and manage the maintenance and facility improvement projects in consultation with SMSFP Head Scientist, NMNH Assistant Director of Facilities Operations, and other Smithsonian facilities representatives, making recommendations on the scope of the work to be done by outside contractors. Recommend to the Head Scientist and NMNH Assistant Director of Facilities Operations plans for developing and implementing current and future maintenance and improvements to the facility.

Contact vendors regarding equipment specifications, cost, and delivery. Obtain budget quotes and write Scope of Work documents for contracts. Serves as Contract Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) on purchase orders and contracts. Initiate purchase orders and receives supplies and equipment. Arrange for timely instrument service and repair. Assist in facility, and custodial budgeting, and oversee purchasing facilities supplies, tools, and equipment as needed.

Develop, oversee, document, and implement a Quality Assurance and Quality Control program for Real Property Assets across each business line according to industry best practices.

Act as lead of the Safety team, participate in safety, and hazard analysis, and collaborate to address safety needs; work with safety consultants on constantly improving the safety of the facilities. Manage hazardous waste storage and disposal at SMSFP.

Maintain equipment and instruments in good working order; coordinate service contracts, preventative maintenance, and repairs with vendors and scientific staff; maintain equipment database and inventory.

Develop and implement a method for reporting and tracking issues with vehicles, equipment, or facilities.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

For the Grade 11: To qualify for this position, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to grade level 9 that is close to or similar to the work of this job. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience applying a comprehensive range of principles, concepts, and technical practices concerning facility operations sufficient to evaluate, adapt or modify procedures and practices concerning property facilities, utility systems, buildings, equipment, plans, and grounds; determine appropriate facility maintenance procedures and/or repair determining equipment, facility, or service deficiencies and appropriate resolutions; analyze facility and equipment requirements against customer needs; manage a facilities budget and overall costs through optimization (i.e., contracts, etc.) based on plans for maintenance, repair work, new construction, alteration projects, replacement of existing equipment, or increase in services; prepare initial project scopes, descriptions, and justifications for necessary facility modifications.

For the Grade 12: To qualify for this position, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to grade level 11 that is close to or similar to the work of this job. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience applying a comprehensive range of principles, concepts, and technical practices concerning facility operations sufficient to evaluate, adapt or modify procedures and practices concerning property facilities, utility systems, buildings, equipment, vehicles, plans, and grounds; determine appropriate facility maintenance procedures and/or repair determining equipment, facility, or service deficiencies and appropriate resolutions; analyze facility and equipment requirements against customer needs; manage a facilities budget and overall costs through optimization (i.e., contracts, etc.) based on plans for maintenance, repair work, new construction, alteration projects, replacement of existing equipment, or increase in services; prepare initial project scopes, descriptions, and justifications for necessary facility modifications.

Education:

At the Grade 11 level Only: Applicants may qualify for this position with 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position, such as engineering, industrial arts, property management, or business administration; or with a combination of education and experience.

There is no education substitution for the Grade 12 level.

Competencies required:

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive range of principles, concepts, and technical practices concerning facility operations.

Knowledge and ability to develop, oversee, document, and implement a Quality Assurance and Quality Control program for Real Property Assets across each business line according to industry best practices.

Knowledge of hazardous waste management, industrial safety, and OSHA requirements in order to serve as a lead member of the Safety Team.

Skill with government contracting and overseeing contractors/acting as COTR; experience with warranties, service agreements, etc.

Knowledge of basic computer programs including programs used for managing significant projects/documentation, or ability to learn the appropriate automated systems.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills required. Ability to interact with a variety of people at all levels within and outside of the Unit with respect, a customer-focused attitude; strong decorum, and professionalism.

Experience with marine operations and seawater systems and maintenance.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

To Apply:
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

To qualify based on education, unofficial school transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) must be submitted with your application package by the closing date of the announcement. If selected for the position, you must provide official transcripts before appointment.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMNHStaffing@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

Smithsonian Institution

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