Facilities Planning and Operations Manager (IS-0301-15)
Smithsonian Institution
Operations
Washington, DC, USA
USD 167,603-195,200 / year
Posted on Dec 12, 2025
OPEN DATE: 12/11/2025
CLOSING DATE: 12/24/2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive (NS)/High Risk
Who May Apply:
Open to all qualified applicants
Non-sensitive (NS)/High Risk
Who May Apply:
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.
- Application Deadline
- December 24, 2025
- Department
- National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Workplace type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $167,603 - $195,200 / year
- Reporting To
- Director of Facility Operations
OVERVIEW
NZCBI, operates a 163-acre zoo in Washington’s Rock Creek Valley and a 3,200-acre research and conservation campus in Front Royal, VA. NZCBI maintains a large and varied collection of animals for exhibition, education, and research, as well as for conservation of threatened and endangered species. Scientific research projects also involve habitat and ecology research on the campuses. Supporting these activities is a portfolio of 263 buildings, habitats, aquatic and life support systems, enclosures, roads, bridges, electrical and plumbing conduits, steam tunnels, active agricultural fields, research plots, forested areas, landscaped areas, and a full scope of supporting and contributing infrastructure.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead Strategic Planning & Coordination: Direct the planning, design, and management of facilities, infrastructure, animal housing, and landscape assets across NZCB’s Rock Creek Park and Front Royal campuses. Oversee facility maintenance, major projects, long-range capital programs, and improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance requirements.
- Manage Capital & Maintenance Programs: Lead execution of NZCB’s multi-year Capital, Land Management, and Maintenance Program, including projects funded by Trust, Grants, Exhibits, and Maintenance. Develop and implement annual project plans, oversee budget formulation and reporting, and ensure delivery of construction, renovation, and maintenance projects that meet operational and safety standards.
- Coordinate Construction & Design Activities: Oversee all construction and design coordination, including limited-space planning, real estate matters, contracting, architectural reviews, and negotiation among organizational units. Collaborate with Smithsonian offices, external partners, contractors, and design professionals to move projects from concept through completion.
- Implement Technical & Digital Systems: Manage Building Information Modeling (BIM) strategies, digital design tools, and project data systems to support accurate reporting, scheduling, and coordination workflows. Provide BIM/CAD support for staff and contractors, including VR/tangible modeling to refine project development.
- Provide Compliance & Inspection Oversight: Oversee all AZA inspections, including preparation, budgeting, operational coordination, and corrective action planning. Serve as a technical resource on facility issues, including design specifications, maintenance needs, code compliance, and operational readiness.
- Serve as Senior Advisor: Advise NZCB leadership on facilities planning, operational impacts, capital project status, and resource needs. Represent the department in meetings, strategic discussions, interdepartmental coordination, and policy implementation efforts. Develop recommendations to improve operational efficiency and long-term infrastructure planning.
- Exercise Supervisory & Personnel Management: Supervise assigned staff and contractors, including setting performance standards, evaluating work, resolving employee concerns, and identifying developmental and training needs. Oversee schedules, workload planning, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
- Manage Budget & Financial Oversight: Develop and monitor financial plans for facility operations, capital investments, and maintenance programs. Analyze spending trends, ensure alignment with project priorities, track obligations, and provide regular financial reporting to support decision-making.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Expert Knowledge of Facilities & Capital Project Management: Demonstrated mastery of facility planning, construction, maintenance, capital improvement programs, and long-range strategic planning. Requires ability to coordinate large-scale building and infrastructure projects, including budgeting, prioritization, and resource allocation.
- Skill in Project Design & Technical Systems: Proficiency in Building Information Modeling (BIM), Revit, AutoCAD, and digital modeling tools to support project planning, design, and construction workflows. Ability to interpret and apply architectural and engineering concepts.
- Knowledge of Federal & Trust Funding Mechanisms: Understanding of federal/trust budget formulation, financial planning, and execution processes for capital programs and maintenance operations. Ability to analyze spending, interpret policy, and ensure fiscal compliance.
- Leadership & Supervisory Experience: Experience managing professional staff, setting goals, evaluating performance, handling employee relations, and promoting staff development. Ability to provide direction for multi-disciplinary teams and contractors.
- Knowledge of AZA Standards & Regulatory Requirements: Familiarity with Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) standards, inspection preparation, animal facility requirements, and safety/compliance protocols.
- Ability to Manage Large, Complex Programs: Demonstrated ability to oversee multiple simultaneous projects, solve problems independently, manage tight deadlines, handle sensitive issues, and coordinate across diverse organizational units.
- Strong Communication & Relationship-Building Skills: Ability to present complex information, negotiate with stakeholders, and represent the organization in high-level meetings. Must maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners, including Smithsonian offices and contractors.
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 rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
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.
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 are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact LaDonnys Biagas biagasl@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 (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact LaDonnys Biagas biagasl@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 (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
About National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian's global efforts to save species, better understand ecosystems, and train future generations of conservationists. Founded in 1889, NZCBI is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Its two campuses are home to more than 2,100 animals, including some of the planet’s most critically endangered species. NZCBI’s employees, located in the nation’s capital, Front Royal, Virginia, and worldwide, are leaders in conservation, care, exhibition, and research of wildlife and habitats.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Applied
Stage 2:
Qualifications Review
Stage 3:
Phone Screen
Stage 4:
First Interview