Museum Specialist

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the National Air & Space Museum/Collections Processing Unit (CPU). The Collections Processing Unit is responsible for protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts in perpetuity and guaranteeing intellectual and physical control over those collections.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

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Duties

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The Museum Specialist (General) serves to carry out collections management activities, including developing and implementing procedures to be followed by staff, interns and volunteers involved in packing, handling, moving, transporting and storing of objects and work within the unit.

In this position, you will:

• Determine the storage of artifacts by analyzing storage requirements. Advise on storage plans and approaches. Designs innovative storage systems.
• Assemble, disassemble, load, unload, secure, crate, or cradle aforementioned types of artifacts. These tasks require the incumbent to construct cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts.
• Perform various types of specimen-handling operations, including those that require the operation of forklifts or similar equipment, box trucks, tractor trailers and other vehicles or equipment.
• 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.
• Collaborate/Consult with the Registrar, curatorial units and Conservator may research, document, catalog, inventory and write condition reports on accessioned artifacts and propagating them to The Museum System.
• Occasionally serves as project manager/coordinator for assignments.

Requirements

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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
• Must have a valid State or District of Columbia drivers license
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Requires regular lifting, stooping, standing, walking, bending and climbing
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance
• This position is subject to drug testing

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. 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.

Must obtain/maintain a Class A commercial driver's license within 9 months of hire.

Qualifications

GS-07 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience and knowledge in handling 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

Or Education:

One full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement in a field related to this position.

OR

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

GS-09 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience and knowledge in handling large and valuable artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects. This includes 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. This includes knowledge of 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.

Or Education:

Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

GS-11 Experience : You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

• Extensive experience and knowledge in handling aerospace artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects. This includes 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. Understanding legal and ethical considerations related to repatriation and provenance research is required.
• Extensive experience in packing and crating artifacts for transportation, considering their fragility, size, and material composition. This involves selecting appropriate packing materials, such as acid-free tissue paper, foam, or padding, and using proper techniques to create protective enclosures or crates.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Education

Education can be substituted in lieu of specialized experience for this position only at the GS-07 and GS-09 grade levels . (unofficial transcripts must be submitted at the time of application).

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

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.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Please see Benefits at for a complete description.

Flexible Spending Accounts -

Health Insurance -

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Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -