Museum Specialist (Collection Processing Unit) - IS-1016-07

Smithsonian Institution•Chantilly, VA

1d•$57,736 - $65,435•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Collections Processing Unit (CPU), National Air and Space Museum (NASM) on the National Mall (NMB), and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (UHC) in Chantilly, VA and the Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility in Suitland, MD which is responsible for properly protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts in perpetuity, guaranteeing intellectual as well as physical control over those collections. The purpose of this position is to support the handling, packing, storage, transportation, maintenance, and preservation of artifacts within the National Collection. The incumbent serves as a skilled member of the unit and as a project team lead, coordinating and directing the work of lower-graded museum technicians and specialists engaged in the handling, storage, shipment, maintenance, preservation, and exhibition of National Collection artifacts. The position helps ensure the proper stewardship, care, and accessibility of collection items in accordance with established museum standards and preservation practices.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the IS/GS-05 grade level.
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.
At least one full academic year of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to the position, or meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).
Class Standing: Ranking in the upper one-third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision (such as the College of Liberal Arts or School of Business Administration), based on completed coursework.
Grade-Point Average (GPA): A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale ("B" average or better), as reflected on official transcripts, based on all completed coursework, four years of education, or coursework completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or A GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale ("B+" average or better) in the major field of study, or in the courses required for the major completed during the final two years of the curriculum.
Honor Society Membership: Election to a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.
Applicants may also qualify through a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that together meet the qualification requirements.
All qualifying education and experience must be fully documented in the applicant's resume and supported by transcripts submitted with the application.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
Eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Design and construction of cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts.

Responsibilities

Perform tasks of a technical nature in support of collections management.
Works with a crew of museum technicians and specialists that are responsible for the packing, handling, moving, transporting, storing, and monitoring of artifacts such as airplanes, helicopters, aircraft engines, missiles, cannons, guns, spacecraft, satellites, spacesuits, uniforms, art, and other related aeronautical and space objects, many times serving as the team leader for such projects.
Routinely makes use of the museum’s computerized collections information system, The Museum System. This includes creating specific artifact records, adding information to those record, and working with the Curatorial Departments and other units of the Collections Department to keep records up to date.
Disassemble, assemble, load, unload, secure, crate, or cradle aforementioned types of artifacts.
These tasks require the incumbent to design and construction cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts.
Performs all types of artifact handling operations, including de/installations, which require the operation of trucks, tractor-trailers, hoists, forklifts and similar equipment.
Articulate and communicate to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.