Application Deadline: 1 August 2025Department: National Museum of Natural HistoryLocation: Washington, DCCompensation: $120,579 - $156,755 / yearDescriptionOPEN DATE: July 11, 2025CLOSING DATE: August 1, 2025POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary, Not-to-Exceed 2 YearsPROMOTION POTENTIAL: IS-13SCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and riskNon-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskOpen to all qualified applicantsWhat 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 EmploymentPass 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.OVERVIEWCome 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 position of a Data Scientist in the Informatics and Data Science Center, Research Informatics Office. The purpose of the position is to increase the capacity of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution to conduct data science and geospatial analyses, visualizations, technologies, and research.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESServes as a recognized subject matter resource for data science, geospatial visualization, data integration and interoperability, operations research, mastery of data management and data analytics or visualization whose output improves Unit’s results, research and data operations.Contributes to Unit data rules and approaches and advises others on appropriate data elements/sets to use for analyses. Coordinates the management and flow of data throughout its lifecycle. Organizes, stores and analyzes strategic, operational and production data. Designs, develops and maintains data clearinghouses. Improves user access to data. Uses data management tools and knowledge of best practices to control the storage, retrieval, security and integrity of Unit data. Uses web design languages to create web visualizations for user/data interfaces. Manages data sharing policy and agreements.Uses an advanced knowledge of programming languages to implement analytical approaches (i.e., comparative, trend, diagnostic, root cause, predictive) and analyze data sets consisting of qualitative, quantitative, structured and unstructured data types to deliver key performance information used to inform decisions, actions and communications.Leads the Unit in the discovery processes with internal and external teams and stakeholders to identify requirements, expected outcomes for new or existing initiatives and measurement of success regarding Unit data integration. Works alongside other staff, such as program managers, scientists, data analysts, technicians and Unit staff to recommend technical and analytical solutions that meet requirements for data output.Designs, develops and implements features that enables data access, transformation and publication. Provides strategic and technical guidance and hands-on support in the transfer and transformation of any required data. Identifies, adapts and manages changes to products or programs in response to evolving user needs.Applies a variety of data analytic tools and techniques to produce findings and insights from structured or unstructured data. Consults with stakeholders to determine appropriate products or services and define project scope, requirements and deliverables.Designs and develops presentations and visual reports of advanced statistical analysis and data analytics tailored to specific audiences and stakeholders. Develops data visualizations, including interactive dashboards, charts, tables and graphs using custom visualizations, code and/or off-the-shelf products.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSEducation and Experience:This position has a positive education requirement.To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, in mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or in a STEM field directly related to the position, and 3-5 years of related experience that demonstrates possession of the following competencies required for this position:Professional knowledge in computer science, data science, statistics and/or a closely related field. Skill in applying data mining, storage and archiving concepts, as well as data and dimensional modeling methodologies.Professional knowledge of data-focused programming languages like SQL, R and Python. Professional knowledge of web-focused programming languages such as ChartJS, JavaScript and D3.Skill in use of GIS software such as Esri ArcGIS to develop maps, interactives, and other visualizations that transform spatial data into interactive web maps, or to create GIS web apps.Advanced skill in using modern programming languages like Python, Perl, Java, C++ and C. Advanced skill in database design.Knowledge of data management and analysis techniques that apply to data intensive tasks and questions (e.g., genomics, time-series analysis, geographic analysis).Ability to develop and manage production analytics and visualization resources, such as R-Shiny applications, to support shared analyses and visualization with internal team(s) and the public.Knowledge and skill to analyze technically complex documents and data, draw proper conclusions, make sound judgments, develop alternatives, elicit cooperation and formulate solutions to problems without compromising program objectives or controls.Skill in database development and management, app development, statistical analysisJoin 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.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.Education completed outside the U.S. 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 rejection of your application 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: Individuals with Disabilities | Smithsonian Institution, (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).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: Office of Equal Opportunity | Smithsonian Institution, (https://www.si.edu/oeo). #J-18808-Ljbffr