Museum Specialist

SummaryThe Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.DutiesHelpThis position is located in the Office of Collections and is responsible for assisting the Supervisory Museum Specialist for the Digitization Team.The Museum Specialist will:• catalog a wide variety of artifacts and digital materials quickly, carefully, and accurately according to procedures and standards established by the Head of Cataloging and Digitization.• work independently to create and enhance object and constituent digital catalog records quickly and accurately, according to the procedures and standards established in Excel and in The Museum System (TMS), the collection information system (CIS) used by NMAAHC.• assist OC Digitization Team, other colleagues in OC and OCA, and other departments at the NMAAHC by providing digitized collection information, content, and surrogates for internal and external and non-commercial and commercial uses.• assist with and conduct trainings in TMS, cataloging, and creating digital collection and constituent records.• research people, places, organizations, and other constituents related to collections. Assist NMAAHC staff and others with searching, accessing, reporting, and exporting TMS and DAMS records and assets.RequirementsHelpConditions of employment• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.Conditions of EmploymentOccasionally the work is strenuous, with significant physical activity required to lift some object types that are large and heavy up to 50 lbs.Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.QualificationsBasic Qualifications: Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience cataloging artifacts and digital material; digitizing collections; assisting with providing digitized collection information; assisting with and conducting training in cataloging, creating digital collection and constituent records.Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Or Education: Two (2) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position. Unofficial transcripts are required.Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (1016) and who are in a Federal competitive service appointment as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position.Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).EducationThis position does not have a positive education requirement.Additional information• This position is included in the bargaining unit.Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.Expand Hide additional informationCandidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.BenefitsHelpThe Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.Please see Benefits at for a complete description.Flexible Spending Accounts -Health Insurance -Leave -Life Insurance -Long Term Care Insurance -Retirement Program - Apply tot his job Apply tot his job Apply To this Job