Clarification from the agency

This position is Open to U.S. Citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

• Curation and Research (50%)
  • Researches, analyzes, and reviews existing audiovisual media collections and digital assets created by the AVMPI from across several Smithsonian units. Curatorial and research focus shall be on the audiovisual media collection held across the Smithsonian – recordings on analog film, video and audio objects – which will allow to open the vaults and reveal this vast and varied collection of material from the past 120 years.
  • Conceptualizes and executes research projects that reflect key questions about media preservation. Assists with selecting and preparing documents for on-line exhibit, including research on selected topics best illuminated by audiovisual media content made available through the AVMPI. Coordinates all activities, helps develop evaluation plans to ensure that on-line exhibits engage the visitor and accomplish educational objectives; and serves as a liaison between SI units, and other external organizations for related requests. Incumbent represents the curatorial aspects of the AVMPI throughout the Smithsonian
  • Collaborates closely with the AVMPI Task Force and unit stakeholders to survey audiovisual media collections, research the significance of those collections, and assist in setting preservation priorities for those collections across the Institution. Assists in developing a plan with a major emphasis on increasing electronic access to resources through digitization and web-related technologies. Identifies gaps and areas for improvement to create new educational and outreach resources with Smithsonian audiovisual media materials to increase the resources online.

• Program Development and Pan-Institutional Collaboration (50%)
  
  • Assesses and produces digital collections and resources pertaining to the extensive collections of analog audiovisual media at the Smithsonian—highlighting the important role audiovisual media collections have at the Smithsonian and making visible the significant contributions these collections have made to the Smithsonian’s mission. Improves the accessibility of digital collections created by the AVMPI and creates new digital educational resources related to Smithsonian audiovisual media collections that can be used, re-used, and shared on multiple platforms both inside and outside the Smithsonian.
  • Creates online and offline exhibitions with the AVMPI team and pan-institutional partners to consult and contribute to curatorial endeavors that represent Smithsonian. Uses existing Smithsonian DAMS, CMS, and website development tools to support bringing the AVMPI collections to the public. Produces archival exhibitions with the thematic concepts and script. Uploads new webpages on the audiovisual media collections at Smithsonian.
  • Assists the AVMPI with press and public program requests. Coordinates curation of items for exhibition and/or online publication and provides contextual information. Maintains files on content development; assists with the selection and research of documents for publication; and assists in obtaining releases for copyrighted materials. Presents on findings for public programs and events.
  • Makes information widely available through online platforms to encourage K-12 students and teachers, scholars, popular writers, and others to use Smithsonian AVMPI resources in their own projects. Targets select Smithsonian initiatives and oral history interviews, from preliminary to final stages; provides information in electronic and written form on a monthly basis concerning the status of special projects.
    

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity 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

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, are not required to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

For this position, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as: demonstrated experience providing curatorial insight into the history of audiovisual material; experience with researching, analyzing, and
reviewing existing audiovisual media collections and digital assets to create online and offline exhibitions; experience creating digital information resources that can be used, re-used, and shared on multiple platforms both inside and outside the Smithsonian.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience.  Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment on your online resume.

Note:  Your specialized experience must have been in a position(s) equivalent to duties for the occupation at the next lower grade level for the position being filled as defined by applicable Federal standards.

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 analog audiovisual media formats and format history, and basic practices of preservation and conservation methods for audiovisual collections.
• knowledge of and/or experience with motion picture analog and digital production and post-production workflows.
• Knowledge Digital Asset Management (DAMS), museum collection management (CIS), content management systems (CMS) and Drupal.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate and implement the Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative and Smithsonian Libraries and Archives goals, objectives.
• knowledge of cinematic history in narrative, documentary and amateur film practices; current ethics, policies, standards and practices in the museum curatorial profession to create meaningful and enlightening exhibitions

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 detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.