Museum Specialist (Collection Processing Unit) - IS-1016-09

Smithsonian Institution•Chantilly, VA

1d•$70,623 - $80,041•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 care, handling, packing, storage, shipment, maintenance, and preservation of artifacts within the National Collection. The incumbent serves as both a skilled technical member of the unit and a project team lead, coordinating and directing the work of lower-graded museum technicians and specialists involved in the handling, storage, transportation, maintenance, preservation, and exhibition of National Collection artifacts. The position ensures that all collection management activities are carried out in accordance with established museum standards, preservation requirements, and organizational priorities.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the IS/GS-07 grade level.
Experience handling artifacts, large (such as 20’ x 10’ in size) including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects in regards to 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 in regards to 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.
Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree, from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to the position.
Combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that together meet the qualification requirements.

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.
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.