Museum Specialist Jobs

Summary The Collections Processing Unit located on the Paul E. Garber Facility (PEGF) in Suitland, MD, National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall (NMB), and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (UHC) in Chantilly, VA, is part of the NASM Collections Management Department, protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts in perpetuity and guaranteeing intellectual as well as physical control over those collections. More than one selection may be made from this announcement. Responsibilities The Museum Specialist is responsible for determining the storage of artifacts by analyzing storage requirements. In this position, you will: Serve as project manager/coordinator for assignments. Advise on storage plans and approaches. Design innovative storage systems. Disassemble, assemble, load, unload, secure, crate, or cradle aforementioned types of artifacts. Construct cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts. Direct or coordinate museum technicians and specialists, interns, visitors, researchers and contractors in the collections areas and their work with the collection, providing them with assistance and maintaining the security for the collection at all times. Requirements Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation May need to complete a Probationary Period Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service. Conditions of Employment Candidate must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License within the first nine (9) months of being hired and maintain it thereafter. Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met by the closing date of the announcement. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. Qualifications Experience Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-5 and above): Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology. or Education Undergraduate and Graduate Education: For positions at GS-4 and above, related course work is required. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include: Experience handling large (such as 20’ x 10’ in size) delicate and valuable artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects. Experience cataloging, documentation, and inventory management. Experience planning and executing artifact transportation locally. To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 full academic year of related graduate level education or superior academic achievement.

• **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
• 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
• 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include: Experience handling artifacts, large (such as 20’ x 10’ in size) including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects in regards to understanding appropriate environmental conditions, security protocols, and preventive conservation measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts during handling and transportation. Experience in planning and executing artifact transportation, both locally and internationally in regards to packing materials and methods, customs regulations, insurance requirements, and logistics coordination. Experience using specialized handling equipment, such as crating systems, lifters, or climate-controlled containers is required. To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience handling large (such as 20’ x 10’ in size) aerospace artifacts, including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects in regards to understanding appropriate environmental conditions, security protocols, and preventive conservation measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts during handling and transportation. Experience researching local and international regulations governing artifact transportation, including customs requirements, import/export permits, and cultural heritage protection laws. Experience packing and crating artifacts for transportation, considering their fragility, size, and material composition while selecting appropriate packing materials, such as acid-free tissue paper, foam, or padding, and using proper techniques to create protective enclosures or crates. Education Additional Information This position is included in the bargaining unit. Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.