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Message from NMNH Sant Director, Dr. Kirk Johnson:

It is with a very heavy heart that I share the sad news that Dr. Richard Vari passed away last night after a valiant fight against cancer.

The past year and half was quite difficult for Rich and his family, yet throughout it all he remained committed to NMNH, his research and post-docs, and science. I am extremely grateful for his service as Interim Associate Director for Science during this time. He was a source of thoughtful leadership and I deeply appreciated his wise counsel and friendship.

A graduate of New York University and the City University of New York, Rich began his career at the Smithsonian with postdoctoral fellowship in 1978. He joined the Department of Vertebrate Zoology in 1980 and was promoted to full Curator in 1987. He also served two terms as chairman. Over his long career, Rich named over 190 species and had five species named for him. Rich was a research associate at both the American Museum of Natural History and the Instituto de Limnologia in Plata, Argentina. Rich felt very strongly about service to the Institution, serving on committees when asked - one of the most influential being the task force on the Smithsonian redesign.

Rich took his role as a mentor to young scientists very seriously (he hosted 40 fellows while at NMNH) and also served on doctoral and master’s committees at numerous institutions on three continents. He was an active member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, as well as the Biological Society of Washington where he served as president from 1998-2000.

Please join me in keeping Rich’s wife Ann, and their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will share information about memorial opportunities as they become available.

Sincerely,

Kirk

Kirk Johnson
Sant Director

Anybody want to work at the National Zoo caring for our exotic birds?

Job Title: Animal Keeper (Animal Care, Exotic Birds)
Agency: Smithsonian Institution
Job Announcement Number: 16R-LG-301269-DEU-NZP
SALARY RANGE: $18.49 to $21.58 / Per Hour
OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 to Wednesday, January 27, 2016
SERIES & GRADE: WG-5001-05
POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time, Permanent - Federal
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 09
DUTY LOCATIONS: Washington DC
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

JOB SUMMARY: This position is located in the National Zoological Park (NZP). The purpose of this position is to contribute to the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of exotic birds.

DUTIES:
Performs a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of exotic birds.

- Provides for the daily care of exotic birds in the collection.
- Participates in the training and enrichment programs for exotic birds.
- Receives, inspects, stores, prepares, and issues food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials;
- Monitors exotic birds for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions; and reports observations.
- Connects with visitors regarding animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status of elephants in the wild, care and feeding of exotic birds and other topics of interest.

For more information visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/426386700

Animal Keeper

* * * National Zoo Job Alert * * *

Job Title: Animal Keeper (Animal Care, American Trail)
Agency: Smithsonian Institution
Job Announcement Number: 16R-LG-301259-DEU-NZP

SALARY RANGE: $18.22 to $21.26 / Per Hour
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 to Thursday, January 7, 2016
SERIES & GRADE: WG-5001-05
POSITION INFORMATION: Full-Time, Temporary NTE 1 Year - Federal
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 05
DUTY LOCATIONS: FEW vacancies - Washington DC, DC
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

JOB SUMMARY: This position is located in the National Zoological Park (NZP). The purpose of this position is to contribute to the proper care, feeding, training, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of marine mammals, terrestrial mammals and birds.

DUTIES:

Performs a variety of duties that ensure the proper care, feeding, exhibition, and propagation of a collection of marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and birds.

- Provides for the daily care of all animals in the collection (including marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and birds).
- Actively participates in the training and enrichment programs for all animals (including marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and birds).
- Receives, inspects, stores, prepares, and issues food and dietary supplements, forage, and bedding materials;
- Monitors all animals (including marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and birds) for symptoms of illness, injuries, or other unusual conditions; and reports observations.
- Connects with visitors regarding animal natural history, conservation programs, natural habitats, status of collection animals in the wild, care and feeding of collection animals (including marine mammals, terrestrial mammals, and birds), and other topics of interest.
- Assists professional and scientific personnel in carrying out studies of animal collections.

For more information visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/424816200

Animal Keeper