Exhibits Specialist (IS-1010-11)
Application Deadline: 15 June 2024
Department: National Postal Museum
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Washington, DC
Reporting To: Director of Exhibits
Compensation: $82,764 - $107,590 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: June 10, 2024
CLOSING DATE: June 15, 2024 (This job will close once 25 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW
This position is located in the Smithsonian Institution, National Postal Museum (NPM). The National Postal Museum (NPM) is dedicated to the preservation, study and presentation of postal history and philately. The museum uses exhibits, public programs, and research to make this rich history available to scholars, philatelists, collectors, and visitors from around the world.
The position of Exhibit Specialist is part of the NPM Exhibits and Engagement Department, reporting to the Director of Exhibits and Engagement. The Department is responsible for planning, design, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions in the Museum's public space. The Exhibits Specialist plays a critical role in developing and managing the implementation of exhibitions from the conceptual phase through design, production, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation. S/He provides complete and full administration service for all aspects of contract work from initial written scopes through solicitation and contract award, on-site inspections, and work approval. S/He works closely with Team Leaders, contractors and all NPM departments. The incumbent functions as the primary contact person for all aspects of exhibition and special project feasibility and layout, production, fabrication, gallery preparation and installation.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning Support

• The incumbent works closely with the Director of Exhibits and project managers, in the feasibility, design, realization and installation of exhibitions and projects on site and throughout the planning and development phases of all exhibition projects. Works closely with curators, designers, educators, and collections staff to ensure all elements of the exhibition communicate the spirit and goals of the theme of the exhibition while considering the varied perspectives of visitors.
• Reviews and comments on exhibit drawings and sketches, recommending changes in specifications and materials to improve appearance and utility, to facilitate production, and to provide value engineering for the benefit of the project schedule and budget.
• Analyzes exhibition fabrication and installation processes considering production schedules and commitments. Develops strategies and makes recommendations for improving exhibition processes. Makes design and production decisions when Director of Exhibits is not available.
• Initiates and prepares scopes of work for contracts and purchase orders for implementation, installation, and maintenance of the related contracted services.
• Coordinates fabrication work with other professional areas such as design, safety management, facilities engineering, and accessibility.
• The incumbent is a member of Exhibits Development Group providing expertise as required and requested.
• The incumbent acts as a representative for the Exhibits Department as it relates to Museum exhibits and guest experience attending NPM Museum meetings to include Smithsonian Facilities NPM- IFT meetings, NPM's Operational meetings, and meetings related to NPM's Atrium Renovation.

Maintenance Support

• The incumbent maintains exhibits to provide the highest quality visitor experience possible. Incumbent examines the exhibit spaces that make up the core of the Museum and remedies any issues found. Core functions include testing interactive exhibits and displays, troubleshooting any issues found, problem solve and effect immediate repairs. Inspections include the review of passive exhibits, manually activated displays, interactive displays and those displays utilizing electronic and Audio Visual (AV) components or technologies. Troubleshooting, repairs and prioritized problem-solving is done to ensure seamless function of all exhibits, AV, and interactive displays.
• The incumbent implements a pro-active Preventive Maintenance (PM) program to minimize occurrence of equipment failure and need for troubleshooting and repairs. Monitors and reports exhibit technology performance to the Director of Exhibits and implements maintenance and upgrades as needed and able. Escalates any repair needs and monitor warranty fulfillment and observes and maintains general condition of gallery space including flooring, paint, and wall conditions. Tasks include; review and updating of exhibit lighting, AV, and maintaining control
• systems; Updating, and/or changing exhibit's wear items, ordering, and changing perishables and updating software/hardware by implementing a timed upgrade. Incumbent directly and independently effects regular servicing of exhibit areas and displays using checklists and written reports. Recommends solutions for issues found and any expected exhibit technical issues, identifies possible malfunctions and issues, identifies, and plans for need to replace wear of items from public usage. Prioritizes and schedules ongoing maintenance activities and recommends scheduled or planned actions to supervisor.
• Ensures that all exhibits' tools and equipment, hand-power tools (drills, impact drivers etc.), power tools (table saw, drill press, miter saw, etc.) in Exhibits' workshop are kept in good and safe working order. Incumbent is expected to be able to provide woodworking, joinery techniques used in exhibit repair and production. Maintains hardware and supplies to include paint, screws, sanding and finishing materials and ensures tools are kept clean and supplies are in stock.
• Maintains NPM exhibits lighting and AV control system, lighting and AV supplies and stock inventory to ensure sufficient supply of consumables. Responsible for the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of these systems.
• The incumbent ensures initial implementation of any lighting equipment by preparing RFQ's/SOW's for NPM exhibit lighting needs; submits RFQ/SOW to vendors for quotes; prepares the selected vendors purchase request package and receives the equipment and accessories. Supervises and assists as necessary with the installation of lighting equipment in galleries.
• The incumbent prepares equipment for installation in new exhibits; inserts specified lamps and accessories; stages fixtures in gallery and performs the installation, following requirements laid-out in design drawings and specifications.
• The incumbent performs any basic needed adjustments to lighting and AV systems. Inspects lighting on an ongoing basis and supports the required AV and lighting maintenance plan as needed. Performs routine lamp changes during the life of the exhibitions. Core lighting tasks include maintaining fixture aim, focus, and verifying (maintaining) light levels by referring to the design package as needed. Performs adjustments to all existing gallery lighting systems, (e.g., Black Box galleries, fiber optic light strings, and track-lighting systems) to ensure fixtures have the correct lamp and accessories; aimed lights at displays as specified by the Lighting Designer and agreed upon by Collections team at installation; and ensures that conservation team's light level guidelines continue to be followed during rotation or as exhibition an equipment conditions change or age.
• Organizes and effects other exhibit needs to include the loading and unloading of exhibit displays, supporting of any scheduled gallery rotations with NPM collections team.
• Responsible for the procurement and maintaining of the stock of supplies and materials, tools, equipment, and any specialty supplies needed to maintain exhibits in good working/display condition. Serves as Hazardous waste coordinator for the museum, organizing the proper controls for the appropriate and timely disposal of "Universal and Hazardous" waste items. The incumbent uses computer templates and available printers to provide a basic level of in-house production capabilities for any "signage graphics" and "labelling" on an as-needed basis.

Exhibition Fabrication and Installation

• The incumbent works closely with the Director of Exhibits and collaborates with Curatorial, Collections, and Education staff to plan the implementation, fabrication, and installation of unique museum exhibitions. Translates broad design concepts into the details required to procure the most appropriate fabrication materials, design the necessary joinery, and solve problems in displaying artworks and artifacts (such as their weight or sensitivity to heat, light, or fumes from conventional building materials, or their accessibility for purposes of maintenance or visitor interaction). Art media and artifacts involves works on paper, paintings, sculpture, time-based media, and computer-generated graphics); a variety of building materials (e.g., wood, sheet metal, plastics, fiberglass, and masonry); and a variety of mechanical assemblies or architectural structures.
• Applies knowledge of, and skill in, exhibit fabrication methods, techniques, and materials, and knowledge of the characteristics of the artworks and artifacts to be displayed. The employee also coordinates fabrication work with other visual arts organizations, such as graphics design and production, and with organizations outside the visual arts area such as safety management and facilities engineering.
• The incumbent is responsible for the production, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation of exhibitions for the museum as assigned by the Director of Exhibits. Employs sound management and supervision policies and practices, particularly for the unique nature of a museum exhibition installation and fabrication facility. Duties include planning, directing, and supervising all work performed in the exhibit fabrication shops and galleries. Applies knowledge of and skill in exhibit production methods, techniques, and materials, and knowledge of the characteristics of collections objects to be displayed. Oversees the fabrication shop, ensuring safety and efficiency, in addition to overseeing gallery preparation and staffing assignments needed to ensure exhibitions are installed and/or deinstalled in a timely, budget conscious manner.
• Incumbent works closely with the Director of Exhibits and NPM staff, staff from other institutions, and contractors for all on-site installation and exhibition work. Often faces unique challenges arising from the movement, preparation, installation, and deinstallation of artworks and artifacts. Regularly employs considerable creative problem solving to ensure artist's and museum staff's visions are met.
• Performs exhibits specialist duties, as required. Specific duties and requirements include: handling and installing artifacts safely in the museum; Follows all recommended safety practices to protect any art, artifacts, self, and co-workers against damage and/or injury; Uses picture pads, artifact handlers' gloves, cradling, protective coverings, dollies, and carts properly. Installs appropriate hanging devices or apparatus to artifacts to align and secure them to walls, ceilings, pedestals, or other exhibition display cases. Applies preventive conservation principles and uses protective materials to ensure that artifacts are not damaged during handling. Uses a variety of common and specialized tools, hoisting and conveyance equipment, picture hanging devices, and installation hardware and verifies that existing hardware is appropriate and sufficient. Designs and creates artifact and specimen mounting devices of wood, metal, plastic, fabric, or other materials as determined by the nature of the object and the final installation location and position.
• Advises the Director of Exhibits on the sourcing and needs of exhibit graphics. This includes using graphic templates for the design of graphics. Coordinates suppliers regarding for the measurement (design) delivery and installation of the contracted graphics and labelling. Serves as the department's coordinator for these outsourced graphics services.
• Performs other exhibits related tasks as assigned.

Contracting and Contract Management

• The incumbent reviews specifications with Director of Exhibits, exhibition designer and conservators to assess and evaluate all aspects of fabrication and installation. Drafts, reviews, and comments on Scope of Work statement for work to be produced outside SI. Provides complete and full administration service of all aspects of contract work from initial written scopes through solicitation and contract award, on-site inspections, and work approval. The incumbent obtains and maintains appropriate Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) status. Must maintain knowledge about contracting guidelines/policies/etc.
• Serves as Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) for exhibit and graphic production, installation, maintenance, exhibits lighting, and AV control systems. Liaises and oversees support from contractors (or vendors). Incumbent coordinates, escorts and supervises contractors for their onsite work.
• The incumbent serves as the Exhibits Department Purchaser or P-Card holder for the procurement and maintaining of the stock of supplies and materials, tools, equipment, and any specialty supplies.

Supervisory Duties

• Supervises staff and the day-to-day operation of the exhibit installation and fabrication shop with emphasis on efficiency and safety. Oversees the fabrication of exhibit components for permanent and temporary exhibitions. First level supervisor for IS-1001-5. Assigns projects and tasks to Exhibit Assistant(s) and contractors in accordance with their abilities for exhibit maintenance and the installations of temporary and permanent exhibitions.
• Directs all employees and contractors under his/her supervision in the handling, conveyance, and
• installation of numerous kinds of valuable and fragile art objects and artifacts from the museum's permanent collection as well as works lent by other museums, galleries, and private collectors. Ensuring that they apply preventive conservation principals and the use of protective materials to ensure that artworks and artifacts are not damaged in handling. Advises on methods and materials to be used.
• Prepares performance plans and completes performance appraisals within required Smithsonian policies and time frames. Facilitates training and professional development of staff, approves work schedules, and overtime/compensatory time. Resolves conflicts, initiates disciplinary action when required, and nominates staff for awards due to exceptional performance. Supports the Smithsonian's Employee Equal Opportunity programs and other human resources initiatives. Supports Smithsonian Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management (OSHEM) and ADA safety and health regulations, policies and procedures

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge to repair and maintain exhibits, displays and public spaces in a museum, cultural or historical organization, gained through experience. This includes woodworking and metal work to repair cabinets and displays.
• Knowledge to manage the preventative maintenance program for a museum, cultural or
• historical organization, gained through experience.
• Ability to prepare exhibits using a variety of art media and artifacts (e.g., works on paper, paintings, sculpture, time-based media, and computer-generated graphics); a variety of building materials (e.g., wood, sheet metal, plastics, fiberglass, and masonry); and a variety of mechanical assemblies or architectural structures, gained through experience.
• Knowledge of exhibit planning and production necessary to assure the quality of presentation, including design, construction, fabrication, evaluation, contracts, security, and accessibility, gained through experience.
• Knowledge to perform museum object handling, mount preparation, and artifact storage procedures including applying industry standards to safely construct display cases, gained through experience.
• Knowledge of industry standard operational procedures for a moderately sized fabrication shop in a museum or similar setting, including knowledge of occupational health and safety procedures, regulations, and techniques around fabrication shops.
• Ability to supervise staff and contractors, gained through experience.
• Ability to prepare basic RFQs for contractor solicitation of specialized services.
• Knowledge to operate and maintain audiovisual media, AV equipment, exhibit technology and lighting control systems.
• Ability to use hand and power tools including drills, cutting tools, finishing materials and the use of cabinetry hardware.
• Ability to test interactive exhibits and interactive, electronic or manual displays, troubleshooting any issues found and completing repairs.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact AlexanderE@si.edu . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.