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Summary

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  This position is located in National Air and Space Museum (NASM). The National Air and Space Museum collects, preserves, studies and exhibits artifacts, archival materials and works of art related to history, culture and science of aviation and spaceflight and the study of the universe.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 08/12/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 12, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$57,736 - $75,059 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 07
Promotion potential
09
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
Travel Required
Occasional travel - To various NASM locations within the DC Metropolitan Area.
Appointment type
Permanent - Federal
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes - 1104
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
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26R-ID-314386-MPA-NASM
Control number
878555000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Smithsonian Institution Internal Employees/Agency Employees Only may apply including current Smithsonian Institution employees with Federal career/career-conditional status or eligibility. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Duties

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The Exhibits Specialist (Mobile Equipment) serves as a member of the Conservation, Research and Curatorial Affairs Directorate.  The Conservation Unit is responsible for collections care, stewardship, supporting the rehabilitation and maintenance of exhibits and public spaces in the National Air and Space Museum.

In this position, you will:

  • Operate electric, gasoline, propane or diesel-powered machinery such as 20-foot one-man lifts,40 and 80-foot JLG Manlifts, Up-pups, 27, 40, and 60-foot scissor lifts, aerial work platforms, and forklifts
  • Be responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the artifacts on display and for the areas within artifact enclosures, including exhibit cases and other exhibitory spaces within the NMB. Performs routine exhibitory maintenance and cleaning for various exhibits throughout the institution.
  • Assist in the removal of artifacts and objects from exhibits as requested, including the moving and removing of large artifacts such as aircraft, spacecraft, and rockets and assists in the breakdown and setting up of gallery displays and removing artifacts and exhibits.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • Must be able to lift an carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds
  • Position requires substantial walking, standing, bending and reaching

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications 

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- illustrative design, commercial art, fine arts, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, or other fields related to the position.

Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis.

In addition to the Basic Qualification requirement above, the applicant must also meet the Experience OR Education requirement listed below:

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience includes activities such as: focusing lighting components, experience in handling and moving large artifacts, artifact cleaning, exhibitory maintenance and experience in the operation of a variety of different lifts.

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education 

OR

Superior Academic Achievement may be substituted to meet the experience requirement. IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE: If you are using education to qualify you must submit a copy of your transcript.

Superior Academic Achievement based on 1) class standing, 2) grade-point average, or 3) honor society membership. Specific requirements are: 1) Class Standing: Upper third of graduating class based on completed courses; 2a) Grade Point Average: 3.0 or higher as recorded on official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education; 2b) based on courses completed during the final full 2 years of curriculum; or 2c) 3.5 or higher based on average of courses completed in the specific major field of study; or 3) Honor Society Membership: Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society listed in the Association of College Honor Societies, Booklet of Information, and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision). Degree must be directly related to the occupation, (see Education section). You must include a copy of your transcripts.

OR

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications; For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards.

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.


In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (1010) and who are in a Federal Competitive Appointment as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).

Education

Refer to the Qualifications section above for education requirements. Education can be substituted for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.  

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.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

  1. Skill operating motorized equipment to lift, place, maintain, or move collections throughout the organization.

  2. Knowledge of basic conservation treatment practices, procedures and techniques, sufficient to apply preventive maintenance, cleaning and care to artifacts.
  3. Ability to support general administrative and customer support practices ensuring artifacts are handled with care and appropriately managed to prevent damage or excessive exposure to negative environmental conditions.

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 detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.


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Smithsonian Institution

Join the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo, in inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery. 

Agency contact information

HR Specialist
Phone
202-633-6232
Email
DentIM@si.edu
Address
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
600 Maryland Avenue SW
Suite 7001W, MRC 517
Washington, District of Columbia 20024
United States

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