Smithsonian Institution · Virginia · posted 27 days ago
The Biologist plays a vital leadership role in advancing animal care excellence and supporting the strategic vision for Birds. Working closely with the Curator, veterinary, nutrition, conservation, research, and facilities teams, this role helps ensure that animal programs align with AZA standards, Species Survival Plan® (SSP) goals, and the Smithsonian’s broader conservation priorities. Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute is hiring an Assistant Curator on the Birds team in our Front Royal, VA Campus. This position serves as a frontline leader, coach, and mentor for the team, fostering collaboration and teamwork to achieve unit goals. The Biologist assists in the efficient and effective operation of the unit and supports the curator’s priorities and objectives. Responsibilities include animal care, breeding, education, conservation, exhibition, collection planning, and research support for a collection that primarily includes Birds and Ungulates. This position is ideal for a professional who is passionate about mentoring teams, strengthening welfare-centered husbandry programs, and contributing to an organizational culture rooted in accountability, innovation, and collaboration. Core Responsibilities The Biologist (Assistant Curator) provides daily care and oversight for the National Zoo’s collection, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation, and operational excellence. This position supports the curator’s priorities and contributes to the efficient and effective functioning of the Asia Trail unit. In this role, you will: • Provide daily care for exotic and endangered animals within the National Zoological and Conservation Biology Institute, focusing on breeding, education, conservation, exhibition, collection planning, and research support. • Coordinate and facilitate work across the Birds team, communicating procedures clearly and ensuring alignment with institutional goals. • Assign and schedule work, establish priorities and deadlines, and provide technical direction to staff to maintain smooth operations. • Collaborate with architects, designers, and contractors to design and construct animal facilities that meet the highest standards of welfare and functionality. • Ensure accurate and engaging public information, including labeling, graphics, and interpretive materials that reflect the collection’s conservation significance. • Coordinate keeper training and manage supplies, including commissary operations, to support program objectives. • Maintain precise animal records to ensure complete inventory and compliance with AZA and Smithsonian standards.
Apply on the employer's site →JobMoo watches every zoo, aquarium, wildlife, and marine source we know and emails you the roles that fit, once a day, with a real human keeping an eye on your search. Built by a dad and his daughter, and it worked: she landed the job.
Start your 7-day trial, $9/mo after