Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current and former Federal employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Individuals who are eligible for a special appointing authority may also apply; such as applicants with a disability, former Peace Corps volunteers, certain military spouses, veterans seeking a VRA/VEOA appointment, or veterans who have been separated from armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service.

• Performs for a wide variety of collections management functions that include tracking and ensuring safety and security of artworks on loan and in the permanent collection while on the Gallery premises.

• Oversees the movement of objects from storage to installation in exhibition galleries and updates location in The Museum System (TMS).

• Serves as alternate unit fund reporter to handle art purchases, general purchases, travel authorizations/vouchers, and other administrative and financial duties as needed.

• Uses collections database to prepare exhibition checklists of artwork selected and makes successive drafts as needed.

• Provides orientation and training on collections cataloging and object handling to staff, contractors, interns, fellows, and volunteers to ensure that they follow correct procedures at all times.

• Corresponds with artists, galleries, and potential donors regarding collection objects and acquisitions, including purchases, bequests, and offers of gift.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer

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.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience advising on loan object requests; corresponding with artists, galleries; maintaining lists of artists and artwork; overseeing creation records management; and serving as alternate fund reporter to handle procurement and travel. 

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.

Or Education:Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s or equivalent degree related to the position may be substituted to meet the experience requirements.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

• Knowledge of collections management principles, procedures, and methods used in the handling, storage, care, and preservation of museum or archival collections, including the attendant record keeping to ensure the safety and accessibility of graphics collections objects.
• Skill in using office computer software programs for word processing, collections information retrieval, and procurement to enter records, manage collections databases, process financial paperwork, and manage staff travel documents.
• Ability to organize and manage projects to support initiatives such as collection documentation practices or inventories, expansion and reorganization of art or artifact storage, and collection digitization.
• Knowledge of American art, craft, and history to assure accuracy of collection cataloging records and to respond to public inquiries/provide reference services.
• Ability to communicate orally to respond to inquiries and disseminate accurate information regarding collections to staff, researchers, donors, vendors, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate in writing to respond to inquiries and disseminate accurate information regarding collections to staff, researchers, donors, vendors, and the general public.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.