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Museum Specialist (Art) (Collection Specialist)

National Gallery of Art
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Division of Prints and Drawings is responsible for the care, study, and display of nearly 120,000 prints, drawings, and illustrated books in the National Gallery’s collection. The purpose of this position is to assist the CGMPD Associate Collections Manager with the preparation and move of artworks to a new offsite storage facility (Pod 6). 

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 07/19/2024
Closed date: 08/02/2024
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Yes, per agency policy
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$68,405 - $88,926 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Promotion potential
09
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Term - This position is a 1-year term appointment; does not confer federal status; eligible for health insurance and life insurance; eligible for retirement; earns annual and sick leave.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
NGA-24-145-DE
Control number
800514700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

United States citizens and nationals This position is a 1-year term appointment; does not confer federal status; eligible for health insurance and life insurance; eligible for retirement; earns annual and sick leave.

Duties

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As the Museum Specialist you will be:

  • Re-organizing and consolidating works on paper, books, and “multiple” editioned works of art in the Division of Prints and Drawings slated to be moved offsite that are stored in standard-size solander boxes, flat files of varying size (including oversize), frames, etc.
  • Pulling and safely transporting CG collection objects that are designated for offsite storage between Department and registrarial storage areas as well as to and from secure staging areas and loading docks. Accurately record art movements in TMS. Ensuring the safe housing and care of the collection.
  • Rehousing objects as necessary in preparation for the move offsite. Working with Paper Conservators, Object Conservators, and Matters/Framers to determine and execute safe and appropriate housing for the department’s collection objects to be moved to Pod 6 (including works on paper that are off-gassing, multiples, volumes, portfolios, etc.)
  • Coordinating photography for all prints. and drawings that will move offsite. This includes safely transporting CG objects across the campus, pulling CG objects from both departmental and registrar-controlled storerooms, coordinating unframing of artworks in advance of photography, and reviewing images to confirm proper orientation and object identification.
  • Cataloging prints, drawings, illustrated books, volumes, and multiples designated for offsite storage. In accordance with CG cataloguing and style guidelines, accurately and consistently recording cataloguing information in TMS (media, dimensions, inscriptions, watermarks, chop marks, publishers, and printers, edition information, etc.).
  • Review and accession non-accessioned materials (e.g. 50+ woodblocks, copper plates, etc.)  with the CGMPD Collections Manager and registrars so that the designated objects can be moved offsite and accurately tracked.
  • Applying knowledge of the history of prints and drawings to accurately identify media and consult appropriate resources for cataloging. Researching artworks using both English and international language sources.

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 resume 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-1016-9. For this position, Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-7 level in the Federal service, executing art movement projects for a museum or similar cultural institution.

Your application and resume 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 resume 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 resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

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

1. Artwork Handling – Knowledge of proper handling, packing, and storage techniques for works of fine art.

2. Skill in moving and handling fine art.

3. Ability to catalog prints and drawings designated for offsite storage.

Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Must be able to bend and stoop, climb ladders and stand on step stools. Requires weekend and evening work. Travel is required. Must be able to lift 30 pounds.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

 "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

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.2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position.

                                                                                    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.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  •  This is a one year term not to exceed 13 months.
  • This position is a 1-year term appointment; does not confer federal status; eligible for health insurance and life insurance; eligible for retirement; earns annual and sick leave.
  • 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.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection procedures. The quality categories are defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified".

Based on your responses to the job-specific self-assessment questions, eligible candidates are placed for selection consideration into one of three pre-defined quality categories as described below:

Best Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications for the position, candidates must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.

Well Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.

Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method 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 pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (i.e., CPS and CP) must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

If your resume 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 score may be adjusted accordingly.                                                                                             

            


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National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.  Founded as a gift to the nation, we serve as a center of visual art, education, and culture. Our collection of more than 150,000 paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, photographs, prints, and drawings spans the history of European and American art and showcases some of the triumphs of human creativity. Across 363 days a year, the National Gallery offers a full spectrum of special exhibitions and public programs, all free of charge.

Agency contact information

Staffing
Phone
202-842-6814
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
staffing@nga.gov
Address
National Gallery of Art
4th and Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, District of Columbia 20565
United States

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