Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. These positions are located in Exhibits Production, Office of Building Renovation & Exhibition Services, National Museum of American History (NMAH), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The National Museum of American History (NMAH) is a national museum for the study and exhibition of American history and culture.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.
Duties
The NMAH, Exhibits Production is seeking multiple candidates to fill multiple vacancies in various departments (fabrication, graphics and exhibits service). The purpose of these Exhibits Specialist positions is to contribute to the planning and execution of the construction of specialized and complex exhibition components and structures, and directly supporting the finished look of all museum exhibitions and public spaces.
In this position, you will:
- Serve as a fabricator/exhibits specialist and work to produce and develop exhibition projects that include elements such as structurally and architecturally accurate casework, components, artifact mounts, graphics, lighting, and other elements designed to enhance the museum exhibition of valuable artifacts.
- Interpret and analyze design specifications and details and develop and recommend fabrication methods that are appropriate for projects, and the display of artifacts or art works.
- Creates digital images and text for graphic panels, posters, signs, labels, decals, and other visual media ranging in size from several inches to room-size murals.
- Use appropriate raw materials, bonding, and attachment techniques, cutting and machining devices, and finishing systems that will be most appropriate for each task.
- Generate daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term lists and tasks for refurbishment of existing exhibits; and respond to refurbishment and maintenance requests received through the exhibit maintenance database reporting system.
NOTE: The duties described are at the GS-09 level; the duties at the GS-07 are developmental leading to the GS-09.
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.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
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.
- Incumbent will be required to participate in SI hearing and respiratory monitoring programs.
- Incumbent will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as, but not limited to, protective masks, goggles, and shoes.
Physical Requirements
- The work requires lifting, bending, stooping, and stretching for extended periods of time. The position requires the incumbent to have the manual dexterity to efficiently operate all hand and power tools and all graphic production equipment. Work requires regular work in an industrial shop environment, with associated risks and conditions. It involves moderate risks or discomforts such as working with power tools, skin and eye irritants or hazardous substances. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted. On an infrequent and non-regular and recurring basis, the incumbent may be required to climb ladders and scaffolds and balance to work in a variety of positions and may be required to work within confined spaces and at heights.
Qualifications
You must meet these Basic Education Requirements:
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - illustrative design, commercial art, fine arts, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, or other fields related to the position.
Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis.
OR
Experience in the actual type of work for which application is made. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. This includes work in the appropriate field, e.g., design, modelmaking, art, taxidermy, or restoration.
In addition to meeting the Basic Qualifications applicant must also meet Specialized Experience OR Education or Combination listed below.
To qualify at the 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 in at least one or more of the following: 1) Assisting in fabrication and installation of exhibit components made from wood and composites for a museum or similar cultural institution; 2) Participating in the production and installation of exhibit graphics; and 3) Assisting with regular maintenance activities for existing exhibit components.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement may be substituted to meet the experience requirement. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a copy of your transcript.
Superior Academic Achievement based on 1) class standing, 2) grade-point average, or 3) honor society membership. Specific requirements are: 1) Class Standing: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; 2a) Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher as recorded on official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education; 2b) based on courses completed during the final full 2 years of curriculum; or 2c) 3.5 or higher based on average of courses completed in the specific major field of study; or 3) Honor Society Membership: Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed in the Association of College Honor Societies, Booklet of Information, and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision). Degree must be directly related to the occupation, (see Education section). You must include a copy of your transcripts.
OR
A Combination of Education and Experience: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.
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.
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.
To qualify at the 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 in at least one or more of the following: 1) Performing the fabrication and installation of exhibit components made from wood and composites for a museum or similar cultural institution; 2) Producing and installing exhibit graphics; and 3) Providing regular maintenance activities for existing exhibit components.
Or Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
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.
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
Refer to the above for education requirement. Education can be substituted for experience at these grade levels.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job-related competencies below:
At both grade levels:
- Skill in woodworking and metalworking techniques, finishing techniques, methods, and materials to fabricate, finish, install and maintain high-quality components and structures that are used throughout the museum for routine and/or developmental projects.
- Basic knowledge of modeling and CAD or related software to interpret and analyze design specifications and details and develop and recommend fabrication methods or structural modifications that are appropriate for projects, and the display of artifacts or art works, and graphics.
- Ability to safely use and maintain various types of equipment.
- Knowledge of the basic principles of fine arts, design, or related fields to understand design and subject matter concepts that the exhibition projects intend to convey.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
- Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job-related competencies above.
- Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job-related competencies above.
- Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements but does not satisfy most of the job-related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAJOBS system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
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. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Your application package should include the following documents:
-
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. Ensure your resume contains the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), job-related qualifications, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary for each employment period. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is submitted. Failure to include this information may result in disqualification for the position.
For assistance with creating a resume, please click here.
- Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
- Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
- Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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).
- 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.
Next steps
At the end of the application process, you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed.
Additional Information:
- Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at https://www.si.edu/OHR/howtoapply.
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
|