Museum Specialist (General)

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.

Duties

• 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.

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.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website. Must obtain/maintain a Class A commercial driver's license within 9 months of hire.

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).

How to apply

Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages. You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.