Exhibits Specialist

This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. 

More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Duties

This position is in the Design and Production, Project Management and Planning, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Under Secretary for Museums and Education, Smithsonian Institution. The Exhibits Specialist (Graphics) provides recognized expertise in the field of planning and executing the construction of specialized and complex exhibition components and structures and directly supports the finished look of all museum exhibitions and public spaces.

In this position, you will:

• Assist exhibit designers and fabricators in the appropriate selection of graphic media and in the selection of graphic production processes to best fit the design aesthetics, object and artifact conservation needs.
• Apply labels, line art, halftones, color separations, photographs, graphic reproductions, facsimiles and prepared graphics on or in plaques, panels, walls, bases, pedestals and display cases.
• Silkscreen labels, line art, halftones and color separations using a variety of paints and inks.
• Produce finished graphic projects using and applying skill and knowledge in the use of computer-generated graphics and processes.
• Work with a variety of graphic file production techniques and graphic design software applications.
• Prepare graphic mount substrates and other materials as needed.
• Mount graphics and photographs on plaques, panels or walls.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the physical ability to perform moderately heavy work including lifting and carrying heavy objects up to 50 lbs.; working within confined spaces;  participating in the Smithsonian Institution's hearing and respiratory monitoring programs; lifting, bending, stooping and stretching for extended periods of time; operating all hand and power tools and all graphic production equipment; climbing ladders and scaffolds; working near eye irritants and hazardous substances and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions 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:

Experience for GS-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 working with exhibit designers or fabricators in assisting in the selection of graphic media; working from scale drawings, sketches, and/or verbal instructions to prepare graphic files for print production for museum exhibits; physical production of exhibit graphic elements using graphic production equipment such as flatbed printers, roll to roll printers, vinyl cutters. and laminators; and assisting with the installation of graphical components of exhibits for a museum or similar cultural institution.

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:

Grade 9: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s or equivalent degree related to this position may be substituted to meet the experience requirements.

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.

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.

Education

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.