Biological Sciences Program Coordinator (GEO-TREES), IS- 0401- 13Application Deadline: 20 November 2026
Department: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director, SI Global Earth Observatory
Compensation: $121,785 / year
DescriptionOPEN DATE: October 21, 2026
CLOSING DATE: November 20, 2026 (*This announcement will close once
100 applications have been received, which may occur prior to the listed closing date.*)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary two (2) years, with the possibility of extending for an additional year, contingent upon the availability of funds.
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: On Site, National Museum of Natural History - Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and riskNon Sensitive/ Low Risk
Who May Apply:Open to all qualified applicants
OVERVIEWThis position is located in Washington, DC, within the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), under the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution (SI).
STRI provides a global platform for groundbreaking research on tropical forests and marine ecosystems, with a focus on their biodiversity and the ways in which they support human well-being.
The ForestGEO program is a global network of scientists and forest research sites dedicated to advancing the long-term study of the world's forests. The GEO-TREES initiative addresses the uncertainty of satellite estimates of forest carbon by creating a trustworthy global carbon verification system based on existing collaborations among scientists at forest research sites worldwide.
The purpose of this position is to serve as
Biological Sciences Program Coordinator for the GEO-TREES initiative, coordinating and supporting the scientific and technical implementation of an international forest carbon monitoring and verification network.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESScientific Program Coordination and Technical Implementation- Coordinates and supports implementation of the GEO-TREES scientific program activities associated with forest monitoring, forest biomass estimation, ecosystem measurement, carbon assessment, and related scientific research.
- Applies professional knowledge of forest ecology, biomass estimation, and ecosystem monitoring to evaluate scientific and technical issues arising during implementation of established research methodologies. Analyzes differences in field conditions, measurement practices, and research-site capabilities; assesses the scientific implications of proposed approaches; and develops or recommends technically sound solutions to support consistent and reliable implementation of GEO-TREES scientific activities.
- Works with scientists, technical working groups, research-site personnel, and collaborating institutions to coordinate implementation of established scientific protocols, field measurement standards, data-collection procedures, quality-control practices, and technical requirements.
- Provides scientific and technical input concerning the planning and implementation of field and research activities and evaluates issues affecting consistency, quality, feasibility, and accomplishment of program objectives.
- Supports the development, evaluation, refinement, and implementation of scientific methodologies associated with forest biomass estimation, forest carbon monitoring, ecosystem measurement, long-term forest monitoring, and related scientific activities.
- Reviews, evaluates and synthesizes scientific and technical information from research findings, datasets,technical reports, scientific literature, field activities, and collaborating institutions to identify issues,trends, information requirements, and implications for program implementation.
- Coordinates and facilitates scientific and technical working groups addressing forest biomass estimation,ecosystem monitoring, field methodologies, data integration, measurement protocols, and other scientific matters affecting the international network.
- Identifies scientific, technical, and operational issues affecting implementation of GEO-TREES activities;evaluates alternatives; and develops or recommends approaches for resolving problems while maintaining scientific objectives, consistency, and technical rigor.
- Provides scientific and technical information to program leadership concerning progress, implementation challenges, emerging requirements, and matters requiring program-level consideration.
- Maintains awareness of developments in forest ecology, forest monitoring, biomass and carbon measurement, remote sensing, ecosystem science, and related fields and evaluates their relevance to GEO-TREES activities.
Network and Partnership Coordination- Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with scientists, universities, research institutions, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, funding organizations, and other partners participating in GEO-TREES activities.
- Coordinates scientific collaboration among international partners involved in forest monitoring, biomass estimation, ecosystem research, carbon measurement, remote sensing, field data collection, and related scientific activities.
- Serves as a program liaison among GEO-TREES leadership, scientists, technical experts, research sites,collaborating institutions, funding organizations, and other stakeholders concerning assigned scientific and program activities.
- Facilitates communication and information exchange among partners to promote consistent implementation of scientific objectives, methodologies, schedules, deliverables, and program requirements.
- Coordinates workshops, conferences, scientific exchanges, technical meetings, and partner activities designed to strengthen scientific collaboration, technical capacity, training, and knowledge sharing throughout the network.
- Works with collaborating institutions to develop and coordinate scientific work plans, implementation schedules, technical deliverables, budgets, reporting requirements, and other arrangements necessary to accomplish program activities.
- Monitors progress of assigned collaborative scientific activities identifies potential delays or implementation issues and works with responsible parties to develop appropriate solutions or corrective approaches.
- Provides technical and programmatic input for agreements, grants, cooperative arrangements, and other mechanisms supporting scientific fieldwork, data collection, research activities, training, and technical services.
- Coordinates programmatic and scientific requirements with appropriate personnel in the areas of grants and finance and coordinates support from OCON for procurement, and contracting initiatives.
- Supports recruitment, onboarding, and program administration associated with postdoctoral fellows,interns, visiting researchers, students, and other scientific personnel participating in GEO-TREES activities.
- Represents GEO-TREES in meetings, workshops, conferences, and other professional forums involving collaborating organizations and scientific partners.
Program Coordination and Resource Support- Coordinates and supports program activities to facilitate the effective use of available resources and the timely accomplishment of scientific and operational objectives.
- Coordinates with scientific personnel, program leadership, and appropriate administrative offices to identify operational needs, resource requirements, and scheduling considerations associated with program activities.
- Provides technical and programmatic input regarding scientific deliverables, project requirements,anticipated timelines, and resource needs to support program planning and implementation.
- Assists in monitoring program activities, milestones, and deliverables to identify potential delays,resource constraints, or coordination issues and recommends appropriate corrective actions.
- Prepares programmatic summaries, progress updates, and supporting documentation to assist management in evaluating program activities, priorities, and operational requirements.
- Serves as a liaison between scientific personnel and appropriate administrative offices to facilitate communication, clarify program requirements, and ensure that relevant technical information is available to support established administrative processes.
- Participates in program planning discussions and coordination meetings to identify operational priorities,address implementation challenges, and support the timely completion of assigned activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Other Significant Facts- Special events may require occasional national and/or international travel.
- The incumbent may need to work extended days and/or weekends.
- Position may require overtime work.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSEducation (if positive education is required) and Experience:To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a completed Master's or Ph.D. degree in a forest-related field, sufficient to support the scientific and technical objectives of the GEO-TREES program and coordinate activities across an international network of forest research sites and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Mastery of, and skill in applying, advanced principles, concepts, and methods in forest science, including ecology, forestry, geography, remote sensing, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
- Knowledge of the technical methods used for the establishment, operation, and long-term monitoring of ecological research sites.
- Knowledge of forest monitoring methods and scientific field measurement practices.
- Knowledge of principles, methods, and practices used to coordinate and manage scientific programs involving multiple projects, international partners, technical working groups, contracts, grants, and funding sources.
- Skill in interpreting and synthesizing scientific publications, technical reports, datasets, and research findings.
- Skill in collaborating with scientists, universities, research organizations, and international scientific networks to coordinate multiple complex projects and advance shared scientific objectives.
- Skill in planning, organizing, and facilitating scientific workshops, technical working groups, training activities, and collaborative meetings involving international participants and partner organizations.
- Skill in communicating and coordinating program activities with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate information sharing, establish priorities, address operational issues, monitor progress, and support the timely accomplishment of program goals and objectives.
- Skill in fostering collaboration and consensus among diverse scientific partners and stakeholders in support of shared program goals.
- Skill in interpreting, adapting, and applying scientific protocols, methodologies, research standards, data-management requirements, and applicable administrative and funding guidelines.
- Skill in analyzing scientific, technical, operational, financial, and partnership issues; identifying alternative courses of action; and developing recommendations to support program objectives.
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.
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 wi
