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Supervisory Exhibit Specialist (Graphics)

Smithsonian Institution
This job announcement has closed

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 the Graphics Department, Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE), Smithsonian Institution (SI). 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/29/2025 to 08/12/2025
Salary
$120,579 to - $156,755 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
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
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Confidential
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
25R-MP-311965-MPA-SIE
Control number
841879900

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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Supervisory Exhibit Specialist is responsible for the planning, coordinating and directing of a full range of technical graphic services for SIE. 

In this position, you will:

  1. Plan, coordinate and direct a full range of graphic services for SIE.
  2. Provide advice and guidance in matters involving graphic production to maximize effectiveness and efficiencies for the office. Represents SIE on graphic initiatives.
  3. Supervise the graphic production staff including developing performance standards, giving advice or instruction on a wide array of work and administrative matters, and hearing/resolving/approving disciplinary actions.
  4. Serve as the Installation leader for graphic or production-related projects.

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.

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: 

You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as supervising graphics production for museum exhibitions and overseeing the production and installation of graphics such as large murals, touchable labels and panels, and the matting/framing of archival materials in a museum setting.

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.

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. Ability to develop and monitor project schedules, create resource allocations, review technical data such as design drawings and graphic specifications, and contract out work.
  2. Ability to identify and advise in the production of graphic elements of an exhibition; assess needs and establish short and long- term goals, and develop information and plans related to strategic planning of the future of the organization (including the exhibit planning, design, and production activities).
  3. Ability to supervise a diverse group of employees regarding graphic production of museum exhibits including organizing and assigning work, assuring good communication among the graphics and production departments, and managing and resolving conflicts.
  4. Ability to lead a team of exhibit specialists in the installation of museum exhibitions.

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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