Duties
The Interpretive Programs Office (IPO) has the responsibility for the exhibitions and interpretive programs of the Library as well as for traveling exhibitions and the loan of Library materials to other organizations for their exhibitions and interpretive programs, both domestically and internationally. This position is located in the Interpretive Programs Office and the incumbent is part of the exhibition production staff. The incumbent reports to the Exhibitions Production Team Leader and/or Production Officer and provides support in the production of graphic element such as tide panels, cabinetwork, and fabrication in the construction of exhibition components such as signage panels and fitted book cradles and also provides service in cutting and assembling mats and frames. Daily checks of exhibition spaces are made by the incumbent, and, at the direction of the Team Leader, also provides assistance to the Registrar in the Traveling Exhibits Program. The incumbent works under the general guidance of the Exhibition Production Specialist Team Leader and general supervision of the Production Officer. The incumbent is given general information on work assignments and specific deadlines for completion of the work. The incumbent's performance is evaluated on the basis of the effective and safe display of Library and loan artifacts, the quality of the work produced, the effectiveness of the direction of small or medium-sized exhibitions assigned to the incumbent, and the ability to meet deadlines identified by the Production Officer, the Interpretive Programs Officer, and the Administration of the Library of Congress while exercising a significant degree of independence and initiative.
Successfully fabricates complex exhibit items/structures despite having incomplete or broad guidelines. Uses extensive knowledge of various materials to build items satisfying design and conservation requirements. Fabricates and installs complex cases, panels, specimen supports, and other complicated exhibit items using various special techniques and materials (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, glass, fabric, etc.). Prepares sketches, working drawings, scale and full-size layouts, mockups, and models as required to communicate an exhibit concept for fabrication.
Installs a variety of exhibit elements or parts using general plans. Installs cabinets, casework, pedestals, wall panels, text panels, mounts, fitted book cradles, brackets, and supports based on the exhibit's design. Solves the majority of problems arising during installation. Solves severe difficulties while consulting the Team Leader and/or Production Officer. Ensures exhibition materials and objects are correctly handled, stored, and secured (i.e. strapping books) and that any special requirements are met for artifacts loaned from other institutions.
Works closely with other personnel on the exhibit(s) final design. Selects exhibit formats. Conducts preliminary studies of exhibit materials and artifacts from the lending institutions or Library's collection to be displayed in cradles or special mounts. Obtains all relevant artifact information for Library of Congress objects and objects loaned from other institutions, including details, measurements, photographs and drawings for use in the design, layout, and exhibit component fabrication.
Manages a shop where standard procedures are not applicable. Guarantees the shop is clean and orderly, materials are neatly stored on shelves, and stock is easily accessible by staff. Supplies are kept at adequate levels to ensure efficient shop operation. Stores supplies in an orderly manner.
Ensures effectiveness of museum-wide maintenance program which includes unique requirements. Regularly inspects all exhibit and public space areas, alerting the proper staff or department of required repairs.
Acts as the technical expert in the Interpretive Programs Office for exhibit packing and shipping container production for the loan and traveling exhibits program of the Library of Congress.
Develops and maintains personal contacts enabling cooperative work relationships for providing and/or exchanging information and professional knowledge.
Plans and organizes small exhibits. Decides optimal means of presenting items and designs cradle specifications.
Designs small exhibits or segments of large exhibits lacking prescribed formats. Drafts the overall conceptual design using a curatorially prepared concept script Designs the relationship between the placement of printed and visual material(s).
Performs other duties as assigned.
The position description number for this position is 012198.
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
The incumbent of this position will work a compflex or flextime work schedule.
This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Ability to handle a variety of valuable and sometimes fragile objects using approved museum/conservation techniques. **
Knowledge of the techniques and materials used in the fabrication and installation of exhibit components for museum-quality exhibitions. **
Ability to manage a diverse workload and to work simultaneously on exhibitions and projects with numerous deadlines. **
Skill in the use and maintenance of tools and machinery and a variety of building and archival materials for the production of exhibit components.
Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide liaison services.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Education
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
General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that demonstrated the skills and creativity needed to use the tools or equipment associated with the work. Because talent and creative ability are vital to successful work performance, samples of work or other suitable evidence of technical competence may be required. Unpaid experience that is pertinent should be credited based upon its relevance to the work of the particular position to be filled.
Examples of qualifying general experience include: design and construction of exhibits, posters, photographic displays, signs, or displays of art or technical equipment; preparation or mounting of museum specimens; wood carving, sculpting, illustrating, interior or industrial design; or the use of tools and techniques related to carpentry, plastics, sheet metal, electrical or electronics work, machining, painting, molding, or in making machines, apparatus, and instruments.
Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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.
You must submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.
Foreign Education – Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
Please carefully follow all instructions under the How to Apply tab to ensure you are considered for the position.
You are required to apply online for this announcement. We are unable to accept mailed or emailed documents. You must complete the entire application process, including submission of all documents BEFORE this announcement closes. To do so, complete the following steps.
Step 1: If you do not already have one, create a resume on USAJOBS. Although you must enter your Social Security Number for USAJOBS, this information will not be provided to the Library of Congress.
Step 2: Review the Job Announcement. We recommend you go to the end of the Qualification and Evaluation section of the job announcement to preview the online questions that you will answer in Step 4. You may wish to customize your USAJOBS resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions.
Step 3: Click on the "APPLY ONLINE" button to the right of this announcement. Follow USAJOBS' instructions to access your account and submit your resume. You will be redirected to the Hiring Management website to complete the application process. If this is your first time in Hiring Management, you will be asked to answer questions related to your eligibility for Federal employment. You will be able to update this information and save it to our account for future announcements.
Step 4: Once you have completed the eligibility questions, you will be taken directly to the vacancy application questions. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly.
Step 5: Hiring Management offers three options that will electronically attach your documentation to your online application once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement.
(1) You may select a document that you have already uploaded to USAJOBS for a previous announcement.
(2) You may electronically upload a document directly from your computer to your application. Be certain to review your complete application for confirmation of the document uploaded and click on "Finished" to be returned to USAJOBS.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have multiple documents of the same kind, e.g. 2 undergraduate transcripts from different schools or 2 SF-50s, etc., be sure that they are all in the same file on your computer or in your USAJOBS profile before uploading them. If you try uploading them individually, only the last one sent will be visible in our system. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the person on this announcement BEFORE the closing date.
Step 6: Click on "Finish" after you have completed your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can check your status online through your Hiring Management or MY USAJOBS account. Your complete online application and any required supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, etc.) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. It is your responsibility to ensure that all documents are received on time and that the materials are readable. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration for this announcement.
If you are experiencing any technical difficulty with the online process, you MUST CONTACT THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. For all technical issues please contact jobhelp@loc.gov , no later than 4:30pm EST of the Closing Date. REQUESTS FOR EXTENSIONS WILL NOT BE GRANTED.
Next steps
Please review our evaluation process under Evaluation. You may check the status of your application for this position at any time by logging onto the USAJOBS "My USAJOBS" tab and clicking on "My Applications." You will receive final notification via e-mail when the vacancy has been filled.