What are the responsibilities and job description for the Museum Technician (Art Handler) position at Smithsonian Institution?
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 Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (CHSDM), New York NY. The Head of Registrar and Off-Site Registrar (Newark) supports the Registrar Unit in carrying out the art handling duties for the Off-Site facility in Newark, NJ.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.
To qualify for the GS-07 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-05 it must include:
- The specialized experience listed below.
To qualify for the GS-07 on Education alone, you must have at least 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement.
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: For GS-3 positions, education may have been in any field of study. For positions at GS-4 and above, related course work is required. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled.
• **Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
• 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
• 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B " or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
Selective Factor: Ability to handle objects in broad range of mediums safely and efficiently according to museum standards.
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 is defined as (1) experience handling objects in a broad range of mediums safely and efficiently according to museum/cultural institution standards. (2) Installation/de-installation of art objects for exhibitions and (3) Preparing purchase orders, loan agreements, condition reports, installation of art objects.
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 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. 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.
Responsibilities:
The Museum Technician is a critical member of the Registrar Team, carrying out the museum technician and art handling duties for the Museum and its off-site storage.
In this position, you will:
- Safely handle, pack, and install irreplaceable works of art and to ensure that CHSDM and lender requirements are met while keeping meticulous records and reports of in-coming and out-going objects.
- Installs and handles objects for exhibitions (including offsite exhibitions).
- Handles art objects from the collection which includes paper objects, textiles or 3D objects such as jewelry, ceramics, porcelains, glass or metalwork and works with Off- site Registrar and Conservation to safely pack objects for transport to and from Newark.
- Drafts condition reports, installation guides and packing notes that are clear and easy to follow.
- Generates a wide range of reports and information using Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel and Outlook and The Museum System (TMS) or its equivalent.
Salary : $54,576 - $70,948
