Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement # 22R-ML-306596-MPA-SAAM.

As a Museum Curator (Art), the incumbent:

• Develops an in-depth understanding of the objects and their place in American art in a wide context.
• Uses knowledge of collections and exhibitions to locate and organize information for incorporation into popular publications, articles and brochures.
• Conducts research on the permanent collection to help establish a complete database
  on each work.
• Reviews art works in regard to loan requests, examine collections for conditions requiring conservation and perform cataloging of collections.
• Works with Chief Curator and senior staff to develop exhibition topics.
• Participates in the preparation and staging of exhibitions and exhibition catalogs.
• Is responsible for completeness and accuracy of exhibition wall text.
• Presents gallery talks and lectures related to the museum collections. Responds to routine inquiries from the public.

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.
• U.S. citizenship

Conditions of Employment

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS:

For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions.

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

Basic 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.

AND

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position Specialized experience is defined as This specialized experience is defined as experience is defined as familiarity with Asian American art and history that deals with principles and methods of art historical research; art museum collections; art museum activities, and art museum procedures.

Or Education: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree

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.

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 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 of Asian American art and history.
2. Ability to conduct art historical research.
3. Ability to assess collections, perform cataloging and work with museum collection database.
4. Knowledge of curatorial functions.
5. Skill in written and digital communication.
6. Skill in oral communication.
7. Skill in verbal communication.

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.

Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

• 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.