Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all United States Citizens and Nationals. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

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The National Gallery of Art Conservation Division preserves the museum’s collection through specialized treatment, scientific research, and environmental monitoring. Conservators and scientists collaborate to analyze materials, guide acquisitions, and maintain the aesthetic and structural integrity of works, including paintings, paper, and sculptures, while also hosting fellowships and conducting research.

Duties for this position include 

• Serve as the main point of contact for activities related to the display and care of the collection, specifically institutional loans through the Across the Nation (ATN) initiative.
• Performs both major and minor conservation treatments on works of art, focusing on loans featured in the Across the Nation initiative. 
• Evaluate facility reports and assess works of art requested by other institutions for loan under the initiative, making recommendations concerning their fitness for travel. Inspect works of art on loan to the Gallery and carry out authorized treatments as needed.
• Analyze works of art and produce technical analyses for inclusion in Gallery catalogs or publications related to the initiative. Ensure proper handling and storage of hazardous materials.
• Advises and assists less experienced members of the staff, contract employees, fellows, and interns with treatment-related matters involving the Across the Nation (ATN) initiative.
• Conducts research on artists’ methods and materials in support of conservation, especially as it relates to the Gallery’s collection and the Across the Nation initiative.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your 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). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or private sector, treating and documenting works of art fo rthe purpose of preserving them.

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: None Associated Group standard:  Museum Specialist and Technician Series 1016

Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: None 

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

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: 

• Knowledge in historical painting materials
• Ability to impact/interpret the preservation of priceless and irreplaceable works of art, and the application of excellent judgement and highest professional practices
• Knowledge in maintaining stakeholder relationships and communication related to loan and collection maintenance activities.
• Skill in effectively engaging  with a diverse range of stakeholders, including curators, artists, fellow conservators and external partners.
• Ability to advise and consult with colleagues throughout the art conservation field; must keep abreast of advances in the field through active participation in professional conservation organizations create and maintain written and photographic documentation.
• Ability to provide effective collaboration amongst staff and use best judgement in providing recommendations and lending mentorship.
• Knowledge in research methodologies in support of conservation.
• Skill in utilizing scientific methods for materials in understanding art materials and techniques.

Category Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: The quality categories are defined as: Qualified, Well Qualified, or Best Qualified.

Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of many," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official. 

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.