Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

• Performs scholarly, technical, and/or applied research related to the archaeology, culture history, and art history of North America (the United States, Canada, Greenland, and northern Mexico). Performs research which may involve multiple disciplines or interdisciplinary strategies, including connecting contemporary Native communities and descendant populations with archaeological and other museum collections and resources.

• Serves as curator of North American archaeological collections. Performs collections identifications, collections research, and/or related collections development work for collections that are stable yet varied and where synthesis is required.

• Performs varied work associated with exhibits or program planning and/or development, including research and preparing content, providing technical guidance, contributing expertise associated with the subject matter, latest theories and/or characteristics of the collection in the museum or other museums, and incorporation of Native or community viewpoints in interpretation.

• Initiates and participates constructively in NMAI collaborations, partnerships, and other scholarly relationships with academic and cultural institutions, including tribal museums, cultural centers, and community-based scholars, particularly in the area of research on collections, utilization of collections for loans, research collaborations, and other ways of partnering with American Indian communities and organizations in support of the NMAI mission.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer

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

Qualifications

You must meet these Basic Education Requirements:

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 in A 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 in A above.

In addition to Basic Requirements above you must have following:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position Specialized experience is defined as performing the following duties: scholarly, technical, and/or applied research related to North American archaeology, including collaborations or partnerships with academic and cultural institutions and community-based scholars; collections-based research, identifications, and enhancement of collections information; development of exhibitions, public programs, or other content venues; and public service, public education, or serving other needs of the public.

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.

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

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:

1. Knowledge and training in researching the archaeology, anthropology, or art history of pre-Columbian peoples of North America, with emphasis on complex and small-scale societies of the United States, Canada, Greenland, and northern Mexico and contextualizing Native material culture and arts.

2. Knowledge of pre-Columbian, historical and contemporary Native peoples of the United States, Canada, Greenland, and northern Mexico and the cultural and political concerns and sensitivities of those peoples, including those related to current issues in the museum and archaeological professions.

3. Ability to conduct archaeological, anthropological, historical and art historical research on NMAI or other museum collections, and in libraries and archives for exhibition and other content development, artifact documentation, and extended study.

4. Knowledge of cataloging and documentation procedures necessary for improving artifact documentation of permanent collections in order to conduct comprehensive systematic projects to check, correct, and enhance collections information using collections information systems such as NMAI’s Collections Information System.

5. Ability to organize and synthesize information from research and other sources into simple, easily understood concepts and to present them clearly, in writing and orally, to a wide variety of individuals whether they be high level employees, representatives of other museums and galleries, private foundations or cultural institutions, scholars of all disciplines, donors and potential donors, peers, and members of the general public.

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.