• Researches African American history through objects as well as archival sources in any time period from the American colonial era to present. Fields of research can include one or more of the following: labor, business, food, technology (including engineering and transportation), sound studies, maritime and agriculture, medicine, public health, chemistry, biology, environmental history, or mathematics.
• Operates independently to collect and manage large and diverse collections that provide the basis for interpreting AfricanAmerican history. 
• Plans and develops exhibition concepts for showcase and similar exhibitions or as part of a larger exhibition team. 
• Develops and maintains scholarly contacts, lectures at professional meetings, develops and participates in public and other educational programs.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Qualification requirements 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

All applicants must meet these Basic Educational Requirements: (You must submit unofficial school transcripts): 

1. Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field; or 

2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; or 

3. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown above.

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you may qualify for this position if you possess the Selective Factor and Specialized Experience below:

Selective Factor:     

Knowledge of research in African American history along which includes the general and current paradigms and questions in the African diaspora and current historiography in American history.  In Work and Industry, these sub fields can include African American experiences in one or more of the following: labor, business, food, technology (including engineering and transportation), sound studies, and maritime and agriculture.  In Medicine and Science, these sub fields can include African American experiences in one or more of the following: chemistry, biology, medicine, public health, mathematics, and environmental history.

In addition to meeting the Selective Factor above, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience.

You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience researching, collecting, and exhibiting African American culture in historical context.  This experience is demonstrated through a range of research products such as scholarly articles, teaching, lectures, oral histories, archival holding, museum collections, exhibitions, and public programming.

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.

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. Skill in researching and writing about African American History.
2. Ability to interpret, develop and manage museum collections.
3. Ability to develop and maintain museum exhibitions and exhibition-related public programs. 
4. Skill in developing programs for scholarly and public audiences.

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.