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 #23R-TL-307897-MPA-NMAI More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Supervises object movement tracking for collections using barcode scanner technology linked to the collections information system (KE EMu), oversees the environmental monitoring and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs at the Cultural Resource Center (CRC), NMAIDC, and NMAI-NY; and performs other duties associated with collections information management, collections databases, and the provision of collections information to a variety of internal and external audiences.

Works closely with the Office of the Registrar and Conservation to oversee procedures and techniques to pack, unpack, and ship objects to and from the NMAI CRC, NMAI-DC, NMAI-NY, and non-NMAI facilities; and is responsible for purchasing, tracking, and maintaining appropriate collections-related equipment and supplies and ensuring the cleanliness and safety of collections areas.

Participates in the development and fulfillment of partnerships with tribal museums and Native communities for a variety of purposes, maintains the strong focus of NMAI collection care policies based on the combination of Native and museum standards of preservation and access, and helps to locate, encourage, and resolve sometimes divergent opinions regarding the proper care and access for the NMAI collections

Supervises and schedules the work of Museum Technicians and Specialists, interns, fellows, and volunteers in the Collections Management Unit; plans work to be accomplished by Collections Management staff, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, prepares schedules for completion of work, and establishes and monitors work schedules and priorities.

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• May be required to serve an 18-month probationary period for supervisors.

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 on OPM website.

Qualifications

Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service or comparable pay band system related to the work of this position. This specialized experience is defined as experience managing Native American collections in a museum, cultural or historic organization.

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.

Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job related competencies below:

• Knowledge of accepted techniques, standards, and practices related to collections-based programs to include stewardship of collections, automated collections information systems, integrated pest management, security for collections storage and exhibits, collections movement and handling techniques, installation and de-installation of museum exhibits, and the provision of access to and the support of researchers and other users of collections
• Knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, standards, methodology, and practices related to the care, storage, handling, shipping, receiving, packing, unpacking, internal movement, and shelving of a museum collection of contemporary, ethnographic and archaeological material as well as storage-support-making techniques and archival materials appropriate to a museum collection of contemporary art, ethnographic, and archaeological material.
• Knowledge of Native American culture, art, and history in order to provide culturally sensitive oversight to the handling and storage of collections objects, to provide relevant information to researchers, and to assist visitors to the collection. Familiarity or experience in working with Native American or other indigenous cultures of the Western Hemisphere is required. Demonstrated record of collaborative work with Native peoples and/or communities in collections management, repatriation, or research.
• Knowledge and experience in managing and supervising staff, contractors, fellows, interns, and volunteers; prepares budgets, procures resources, sets work expectations and schedules, assesses and improve workflows and processes, and evaluates and reports on results in the federal government environment.

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.