The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is responsible for all research, curatorial, and collections aspects of NASM's work, encompassing such diverse functions as acquisitions and management of collections, research, exhibits, publications, public service, conservation, preservation, and restoration of artifacts, and outreach on curatorial and collections matters.
Summary
The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is responsible for all research, curatorial, and collections aspects of NASM's work, encompassing such diverse functions as acquisitions and management of collections, research, exhibits, publications, public service, conservation, preservation, and restoration of artifacts, and outreach on curatorial and collections matters.
The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs provides overall curatorial voice, input, and executive level advice to the Director of the Museum. The incumbent will also provide executive leadership and direction in the overall planning, development and implementation of all programs, policies, and priorities of the Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs Directorate. Determines and establishes the direction and emphasis for all scientific and historical research and collections care conducted at the NASM.
Directs and coordinates the efforts of curators, scientists, archivists, conservators, museum specialists, and other Directorate staff to ensure that a high quality of performance is maintained and that subordinate supervisors are executing their duties effectively. Provides leadership and encourages staff to develop new and innovative ways to achieve program improvements. In conjunction with the Director and other Associate Directors formulates strategic plans, policies, priorities, and program goals and objectives to accomplish the long and short-term goals of the Museum. Advises and assists the Director in making policy decisions and setting priorities regarding all curatorial affairs. The Associate Director for Research, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs should create a stimulating and effective environment for research and collections care and ensure that exhibitions are produced that appeal to a multiplicity of audiences.
Explores and develops joint or pan-institutional program in collaboration with other museums and organizations. Encourages subordinate staff to establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with these organizations to advance the interests of NASM and SI and to foster and promote NASM programs.
Allocates resources among subordinate Departments and assures that adequate internal controls are in place and that resources are managed with museum guidelines. Works with subordinate supervisors to establish work priorities, outcome goals and success metrics for individual programs, workforce, and resource levels. Identifies programs that require outside funding support and determines potential sources of this support.
Directs a large staff of professional, technical and support employees. Exercises supervisory duties to include full performance management duties and ensures that subordinate supervisors are exercising these same duties. Keeps apprised of disciplinary or other employee relation issues involving key subordinates. Ensures that subordinate supervisors are responsible for completing Museum Annual Plan (MAP) actions and meeting Museum Key Performance Indicators and metrics.
Represents the Director, as necessary, at a variety of meetings and conferences with delegated authority to commit Museum resources or make decisions affecting the museum’s research, collections care, exhibition, or facility related issues and involving personnel and financial resources.
Maintains an active curatorial program that makes contributions in research, collections stewardship, exhibition development, and public service.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service
Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.
Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS A degree in Museum Education, Management, or a related field; or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four-year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. A PhD in a related field is preferred.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as it relates to managing functions such as exhibitions development, research, collections development and care, publications and outreach programming of large museum, research or cultural organization with an emphasis on aviation and space history, or planetary science.
The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated expertise in the field of aviation, spaceflight, or planetary science as applied to curatorial and scholarly leadership including managing functions such as acquisitions and management of collections, research, exhibits, publications, public service, conservation, preservation, and restoration of artifacts, and outreach on curatorial and collections matters.
2. Demonstrated leadership experience at the managerial level that includes goal setting, planning and implementing programs, and establishing metrics and reporting protocols.
3. Demonstrated skill in executive level budgeting and resource management.
4. Demonstrated skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance to a diverse workforce; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.
Additional information
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS The incumbent receives general supervision from the NASM Director who provides broad guidance in terms of overall policy, program objectives, and delegated authority. Within this framework, the incumbent plans and conducts assigned responsibilities with a minimum of technical direction. Major policy questions or controversial issues are discussed with the Director for decisions or guidance. Keeps the Director informed of all significant program activities and potential problems. Work performance is appraised in terms of overall effectiveness in achieving program objectives and measures. The incumbent is authorized to act on behalf of the Museum Director during times of absence or other identified occasions.
SECURITY LEVEL This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be Public Trust / HIGH RISK. This designation will require (1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and (2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and favorable adjudication to continue in the position.
EEO The Smithsonian does not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both Federal and Trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life. They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events. These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top 10 places to work in the government.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When crafting your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.
Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both Federal and Trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life. They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events. These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top 10 places to work in the government.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed within the announcement.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR
You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed within the announcement.
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
