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 #24R-ID-310776-MPA-NASM More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

The Photographer is responsible for planning, logistics, photographing and processing of visual images used by the Smithsonian Institution to enhance displays, graphics and exhibits.  The position services both Washington DC with a second location at NASM Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA

In this position, you will:

• Perform the full range of supervisory responsibilities, including planning and assigning work to staff based on priorities and schedules, balancing workload and adjusting schedules and duty assignments as necessary among photographers, museum specialist and any contract personnel that require instructions on functions and activities that need to be carried out.
• Engage with customers to evaluate their photographic needs, technical requirements, schedules, and subject matter, in order to plan and execute assignments that best accomplish customer specifications and project objectives.
• Apply established and unique photographic techniques to images, graphics, and photos; oversees the production of publication- and archive-quality digital images that support the photographic documentation of Museum collections, research, exhibitions, public events, educational programming, facilities, and personnel.
• Capture photographs that promote and preserve the visual history of the people, artifacts, exhibits and events of the NASM and the SI by creating and providing professional-quality, digital photography for the Museum of its collections, exhibitions, public events, educational programming, projects, facilities, and personnel as requested by customers within and external to NASM and other Smithsonian Institution units for a variety of outputs.

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.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs for extended periods of time
• Ability to stand, stretch, flex, walk, hike, climb while carrying equipment

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Experience in operating standard and specialized camera and film processing equipment related to the position to be filled. Knowledge of the subject-matter being photographed may also be required for some positions. For positions that require a high degree of artistic or creative ability, samples of work or other suitable evidence of technical competence may be required. Unpaid experience that is pertinent should be credited based upon its relevance to the work of the particular position to be filled.

In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience includes activities such as: 

• Digitizing and maintaining photographic collections
• Cataloguing and formatting photographic collections in computerized databases or digital asset management systems
• Conducting archival photographic research to validate, update and correct existing collections data

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:

• Ability to lead, direct, and manage the work of personnel; assess performance; and provide training or coaching when necessary.
• Ability to communicate both verbally or written in a manner that informs customers, leadership, and employees concerning the requirements and capabilities of photographic services.
• Knowledge in established concepts, techniques, and procedures to process photographic images; apply security requirements; and manage their distribution.
• Knowledge in the appropriate use of equipment and software to shoot photographic images in various environments and apply visual effects to enhance the image.

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.

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 is 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 this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.