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.

The Exhibits Specialist (Fabrication) is responsible for the creation, fabrication, and installation of three-dimensional exhibit components such as dioramas, models, mounts, 3D Prints and milled components replicating various artifacts and objects using a diversity of materials and a significant use of CAD/CAM technology in the production of parts and components.

In this position, you will:

1. Prepare exhibit components, including cases, vitrines, panels, platforms, interactives, and unique structures.

2. Identify proper materials, assist in the estimate of the project and provide feedback on designs and/or drawings submitted.

3. Detail the component and submit digital files using a variety of digital computer 3D scanning/manipulation software or CAD/CAM software.

4. Obey all safety and environmental regulations, demonstrating the knowledge and practice of safety procedures, PPE, Tool guarding, and the OSHA regulations for the fabrication shop.

5. Work with fabrication shop leadership, project managers, designers, curators, and other diverse museum professionals.

Conditions of employment

• Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

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: This position has individual occupation requirements of: 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. A copy (unofficial) of your transcripts is required at the time of application if you are meeting the basic qualifications by education.

or

Experience in the actual type of work for which application is made. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. This includes work in the appropriate field, e.g., design, modelmaking, art, taxidermy, or restoration. 

In addition to the basic requirements above: 

Experience: For Grade 09 You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as utilize CAD/CAM software to executing complex museum exhibit projects through the fabrication, mount making, and installation phases.

Experience: For Grade 11 You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as executing complex museum exhibit projects through pre-production, fabrication, and installation phases; mentoring, overseeing, and integrating CAD/CAM software and techniques into the fabrication mount making process workflow.

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.

Or Education: 

GS-09 master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related such as illustrative design, commercial art, fine arts, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, or other fields related to the position. 

GS-11 Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related such as illustrative design, commercial art, fine arts, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, or other fields related to the position.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.

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. Knowledge of exhibit techniques, tools, and procedures to produce a well-established line of exhibit components.

2. Knowledge of materials, methods, and tools, along with the skill and adaptability needed to create and produce exhibit elements.

3. Knowledge with computer software programs and applying this knowledge while using computer aided machines to produce accurate models and components.

4. Knowledge of a wide variety of materials to meet design, fire safety, and conservation requirements and a level of experience with techniques associated with those materials.

5. Knowledge of teamwork principles and skills to effectively contribute to tasks while enabling colleagues to play their roles cohesively as part of a unified team.

6. Ability to work in a team setting and participate collaboratively in evaluating designs or production details and making recommendations regarding the details and specifications within safety guidelines.

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.