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Summary

The primary purpose of the work in the position of Photograph Conservator is to examine, study, document, and perform major and minor treatments on photographic works of art owned by the National Gallery of Art in an exemplary manner while maintaining high standards of practice. The position is under direct supervision of the Head of Photograph Conservation, within the Division of Conservation and under the Chief of Curatorial and Conservation Officer.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/03/2023 to 03/10/2023
Salary
$94,199 to - $122,459 per year
Pay scale & grade
NF 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NGA-23-071-NF
Control number
710232800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens and Nationals THIS IS A PERMANENT, PRIVATE FUNDED POSITION WHICH DOES NOT CONFER COMPETITIVE FEDERAL STATUS TO THE INCUMBENT. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS PACKAGE.

Duties

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As the Museum Specialist (Art), you will:

  • Perform both major and minor conservation treatments on works of art and prepares appropriate reports for electronic document management storage.  
  • Consult and collaborate with curators and other staff when treating works of art or for research purposes.
  • Examine works of art and recommends appropriate display or storage guidelines.  
  • Inspect works of art that are on loan to the Gallery and carries out treatment on them when authorized.  
  • Examine works of art to produce technical for inclusion in Gallery catalogs or other publications initiated by the Gallery.
  • Conduct research on artists’ methods and materials and in support of the field of conservation, especially as related to the Gallery’s collection.
  • Engage in public outreach by sharing research findings and news of conservation activities through lectures, lab tours and responses to queries.
  • Act as point person for activities associated with display and care of the collection.
  • Maintain records of examination, proposals and treatment procedures on works of art in the Gallery’s collections.
  • Keep written and photographic records for works of art that have been treated or for the fabrication of auxiliary components.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements.

Your résumé serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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

Candidates must meet the Qualification Standards Handbook requirements for the GS-1016-12. A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the federal GS-11 level, treating photographs for the purpose of conserving them.

Your application and résumé must demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must show in your résumé how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. If asked to do so, cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your résumé and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see résumé " in your application!

Those applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be evaluated against these factors to determine the best-qualified candidates.

  1. Knowledge of common photograph conservation techniques and procedures.
  2. Skill in using accepted conservation research and materials.
  3. Ability to examine and document findings for works of art.

 "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration under merit promotion procedures.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

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

Education

General Experience (for positions at GS-4 and below): Experience using the tools, techniques, procedures, or methods related to the operation of a museum or similar collection, or to the handling, storage, care, protection, or recordkeeping of such a collection. Experience may have been gained in a museum, college or university, antique shop, commercial art gallery, or other setting involving work with collections of valuable objects or specimens requiring specialized care and handling. Other types of experience may also be qualifying if appropriate to the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-5 and above): Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.

OR

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: For GS-3 positions, education may have been in any field of study. For positions at GS-4 and above, related course work is required. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled.

Additional information

The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.

AN EXTERNAL SELECTED CANDIDATE MUST BE FINGERPRINTED AND RECEIVE A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, RESULTING IN A SATISFACTORY SUITABILITY DETERMINATION BEFORE BEING HIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement

Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information

Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The National Gallery of Art uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements of this position. Then, the HR Office and/or 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.

We will also verify whether you are eligible for merit promotion by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

If your résumé is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your evaluation rating may be adjusted accordingly.                                                                                              

                                                                                      


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