Museum Specialist

Smithsonian National Zoological Park • Washington, DC

404d

About The Position

The Museum Specialist position at the Smithsonian Institution involves a combination of physical and administrative tasks related to the care, handling, documentation, and storage of collections at the National Museum of American History. The role is essential for ensuring the safety and accessibility of museum objects, as well as for supporting offsite activities and projects.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service, including managing and preserving collections in a historical museum or cultural setting.
• Experience using and maintaining collections information systems and databases.
• Conducting directed research in support of historical museums or cultural collections.
• 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.
• Combination of experience and education may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Selects appropriate space and applies methods, materials, and equipment to move, house, and store objects.
• Reorganizes collections for efficient use of space and accessibility.
• Oversees object preparation for shipments, including construction of containers and supports for safe movement.
• Assures appropriate access to collections by staff and visitors, responding to public inquiries.
• Gathers, records, reconciles, and updates collections information using museum collections management systems.
• Documents condition of collections and performs minor object treatment to stabilize them.
• Assists Program Manager in planning and implementing offsite activities and serves as team leader for specialized projects.
• Responsible for the security and safety of assigned storage spaces and collections, monitoring environmental conditions.
• Documents, preserves, stores, and moves objects with hazardous material components.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Industry: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
• Education Level: Master's degree