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Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.  This position is located in Smithsonian Institution, Office of Protection Services. The Office of Protection Services is responsible for overseeing, a large museum/complex law enforcement and security program, and leading and providing protection throughout the Smithsonian Institution.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/29/2025 to 10/14/2025
Salary
$28.73 to - $35.88 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 07 - 08
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Few vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Federal
Work schedule
Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
09
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
25R-SB-312905-DEU-OPS
Control number
846699300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Duties

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The Locksmith will install, service, and repair the full range of lock, key, safe and vault systems utilized throughout the Smithsonian Institution. 

In this position, you will:

  • Make keys from duplicates, impressions and by key code.
  • Provide technical assistance to alarm technicians engaged in the installation of electric and electromagnetic locks for card access system.
  • Undertake emergency installations.
  • Fabricate and weld hardened steel plates to repair entry damage.
  • Maintain a familiarity of new developments in the locksmithing field through attendance at seminars, publications and gathering of information from vendors.

Requirements

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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.

Conditions of Employment
Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.

For information on the Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations, see OPM’s website.

Moderate degree of lifting may be required, for example when doors are removed for service or adjustment. Some climbing of ladders, stooping and kneeling is required in the pursuit of lock installations. Close hand-eye coordination is required.

Qualifications

In order to be rated qualified, an applicant's overall experience and training must indicate possession of the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of this position such as the ability to perform key cutting and fitting, lock installation and repair, lock picking, and combination lock repair and opening; the ability to utilize high security keying systems; and the ability to use hand and electric tools to install, repair and adjust locking systems. 

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

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.

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit. 

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and,
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position.  However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Applications will first be evaluated to determine whether the following screen out element is met:

  1. Ability to do work w/o normal supervision

If an applicant meets the screen-out element, the following Job Elements will be evaluated:

  1. Locksmithing Skills
  2. Installing and servicing key systems
  3. Knowledge of current locksmith practices and operations

Applicants who meet or exceed the screen-out element will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:

Best Category - Meets the screen-out element and excels in most of the job-related elements above.
Better Category - Meets the screen-out element and satisfies most of the job-related elements above.
Good Category - Meets the screen-out element but does not satisfy most of the job-related elements 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-veterans within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no veteran in that category is passed over to select a non-veteran in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Veterans 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 announcement 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.


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