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Museum Specialist (Registrar)

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Exhibits Office, Center for Exhibits and Interpretation, Office of the Librarian.

The position description number 013240.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/26/2024 to 08/09/2024
Salary
$68,405 to - $88,926 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
Washington, DC
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 - Position
Work schedule
Full-time - Flexitime.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
VAR002800
Control number
801967400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Anyone may apply - By law, employment at most U.S. Government agencies, including the Library of Congress, is limited to U.S. citizens. However, non-citizens may be hired, provided that other legal requirements are met and the Library determines there are no qualified U.S. citizens available for the position.

Duties

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The Exhibits Office has the responsibility for museum-quality exhibition and interpretive programs of the Library as well as for traveling exhibitions and the loan of Library materials to other organizations for exhibition purposes. The Assistant Registrar in the Exhibits Office is responsible for providing assistance to the Registrar in the implementation of security and environmental requirements for incoming and outgoing exhibition materials, to include in-house collections; and for helping manage the Outgoing Exhibition Loan Program. The Assistant Registrar provides support to the Registrar in the direction of small and medium-sized exhibitions within the Library.

Acts as loan coordinator. Receives inquiries related to the borrowing of institutional collections. Ascertains that the requested object is available for loan and then works with the Conservation Office and the Curatorial Division to determine if its condition warrants its lending. Before determining the availability of the object, determines if the requesting institution meets the established criteria for borrowing the requested object. As appropriate, suggests an alternative action that would satisfy the requestor's needs if necessary. If the original object is available but needs conservation or preservation work, the Specialist may work out an agreement in which the borrower will conserve or restore the requested object. Draws up the loan agreement, ensuring that the borrower has all the necessary insurance to transport and display the artifact.

Ensures safe handling of objects or works. This includes moving objects to and from custodial storage, conservation, staging areas and exhibition. Maintains proper security to preclude theft of items. Controls admittance to locked areas by authorized personnel and maintains records for all incoming and outgoing items.

Modifies special crates and packages for shipping items, working with approved fine arts packers and the Conservation Office. Utilizes the most modern successful packaging methods and materials in placement of objects for maximum protection. Prepares objects for placement in crates and other appropriate containers. Most of these objects are extremely fragile, one-of-a-kind, and/or of high cultural and monetary value. Analyzes objects' value and sensitivity, shipment methods, available packing supplies and their cost, and possible transit and storage hazards. Provides the borrower with precise instructions for packing and unpacking objects.

Tracks potential gift offers as related to exhibitions and exhibition loans. Develops and maintains files and works closely with others in the development and preparation of accurate listings of proposed object lists for exhibition and loan. Ensures that proper paperwork is done for all loans, shipping, insurance, customs, etc. Consults with the Office of the General Counsel regarding legal matters; and ensures compliance with all laws.

Formulates reports, statistical, analytical and archival in nature, relating to works both exhibited by the Library and lent to other institutions. Reports may take the form of lists of statistics on the collection, clarification of the status of particular loan or exhibit related transactions. Identifies sources of information as required and creates appropriate methods to capture the information.

Assists in determining immediate and long-term storage requirements for objects or works, as well as for the short-term. Suggests where items can best be stored before and after exhibitions, considering retrieval and environmental requirements. Handles the movement of objects from custodial storage for restoration/preservation or exhibit. Develops and manages a system for tracking projects or proposals related to the use of objects in Library exhibitions and to the exhibition loan program. Collects and evaluates pertinent information, including budgetary factors, scheduling capabilities, or relevance of topic. Provides guidance and instructions about procedures. Prepares written and verbal status reports, memoranda, and other documentation for follow-up when necessary.

The work requires some standing, as well as bending, reaching, and stretching. The position's responsibility for exhibition Installation requires physical exertion and the climbing of ladders, and the lifting of objects and materials, some of which may be heavy.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to perform museum registration work as it relates to an exhibition and loan program. **

Knowledge of basic museum practices regarding the transport of rare and fragile collections materials. **

Knowledge of basic conservation and preservation principles, techniques, and practices.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to interact collaboratively with others.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
 
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
 

How you will be evaluated

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

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section 8.5, at: Merit Selection Plan


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