Museum Specialist (Geology)

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is responsible for acquiring, curating, and preserving natural history collections that document the history of the planet and human interactions with the environment and one another. The Museum Specialist (Geology) provides technical assistance to the Paleo Preparation Laboratory and Fossil Lab by preparing fossil vertebrate, invertebrate, and palaeobotanical specimens for research. The position also involves specimen conservation, laboratory and volunteer oversight, collections support, and public engagement.

Requirements

Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects, such as collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation.
One year of full-time experience at the GS-07 level in Federal Service or a comparable pay band system, with experience similar to museum or collection operations or management.
Specialized experience preparing fossil vertebrate, invertebrate, palaeobotanical, and microfossil specimens for research; imaging in 2D or 3D; fossil replication; repairing and conserving fossil collections; basic collections management; volunteer engagement; and public outreach or tours.
Alternatively, two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or a master’s or equivalent graduate degree related to the position, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
Applicants qualifying through foreign education must provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation.
Submit a resume no longer than two pages that describes relevant experience; include the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week for part-time or unpaid experience.
Submit a resume in the USAjobs system and answer all vacancy questions.
Pass a pre-employment background investigation.
Maintain a bank account for direct deposit or electronic transfer.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Meet qualification requirements by the vacancy announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Prepare, repair, and conserve fossil specimens for research, exhibition, and inclusion in the National collections, using manual and mechanical tools, chemical preparation techniques, and archival media.
Manage and oversee volunteers in a fossil preparation laboratory.
Ensure laboratory and volunteer compliance with health and safety protocols.
Repair and conserve collection specimens as directed.
Speak with the public about fossil preparation projects.
Identify potential fossil specimens.
Provide tours.
Locate particular specimens or collections for visiting researchers.