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Conservator (Photo)

Smithsonian Institution
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the largest national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. Its primary purposes are to acquire, maintain and preserve objects which document social, cultural, political, military, technological and scientific developments in the United States related to the African American experience; to conduct scholarly research designed to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of African American history, to publish findings for both scholarly and general audiences; and to interpret historical developments through public exhibits and programs as well as digital content.

ATTENTION: Due to the large number of qualified applicants for positions of this type, this job announcement will close at 11:59 pm Eastern Time on either: (A) The closing date listed above or (B) The date that 100 applications are received; whichever occurs first. If the announcement closes on the date that 100 applications are received, all applications submitted by 11:59pm that day will be given consideration, including those in excess of 100.

We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible to ensure their applications are submitted before the announcement closes. We will not consider applications which are late due to the announcement closing once the above number of applications is reached.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/02/2017 to 05/15/2017
Salary
$64,650 to - $84,044 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Landover, MD
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel is required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Term appointment for 2 years. This appointment may be extended up to four years.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
17R-YH-302777-DEU-NMAAHC
Control number
468895500

This job is open to

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Duties

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Works under the supervision of the Supervisory Conservator to:

  • design, propose, document, and complete proposed conservation treatments on a wide variety of photographic materials within the collection;
  • provide care, preservation and research on all photographs within the Museum's collections;
  • research photographs and negatives within the collection, explore photographic processes, artist's methods and generate scientific data on the properties of the materials;
  • provide preventative care measures such as monitoring and evaluating environmental controls, integrated pest management, and emergency preparedness, response and recovery of collections, product testing and quality control; and
  • provide training of staff, allied professionals, interns, fellows, volunteers and the general public.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
  • Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
  • May be required to serve a one-year probationary <br>period.
  • U.S. citizenship

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

Qualifications

You must meet at least ONE of the requirements described below:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position specialized experience is defined as examining and evaluating the condition of photographic artifacts; developing treatment plans; performing conservation treatment; creating housing; advising on display or exhibit requirements; and documenting the process.

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.

Or Education
Grade 11: Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to this position may be substituted to meet the experience requirements.

OR

Or a Combination:
Education and experience, in part, totaling 100% may be combined to meet the basic qualifications.

Additional information

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below:

  1. Ability to communicate in writing in order to prepare written surveys, technical examination reports, treatment proposals, policies and guidelines related to the handling and care of photographic collection items.
  2. Skill in examining and treatment of delicate and/or badly deteriorated photographic objects.
  3. Ability to communicate orally when advising staff, visitors, researchers, and interns on photographic conservation and preservation.
  4. Knowledge of the tools, supplies, equipment, methods and practices appropriate for exhibition, housing and storing photographic collections.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.

Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.

Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.

This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Important Note:

The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.

To preview questions please click here.

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