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This position is on the staff of the Chief Curator (C), Department of Modern Prints & Drawings (CG-MPD), and is responsible for the care, study, and display of a collection of modern and contemporary American prints & drawings. The primary purpose of this position is to undertake the accessioning and cataloguing of modern prints and drawings and to ensure the safe and orderly storage and access of those works, including making works available to classes and visitors in the CG-MPD study room.
Learn more about this agency11/06/2020 to 11/14/2020
$59,534 - $93,638 per year
GS 09 - 11
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-Time
Competitive
11
No
No
NGA-21-13A
583834800
This announcement has an application limit of 200. If the limit isn't met previously, the vacancy will close at 11:59 PM EST on November 20, 2020.
The incumbent:
Cataloguing and Research In accordance with National Gallery of Art standards, and subject to review by the Curator of Modern Prints and Drawings or, as delegated, by another CG-MPD Associate or Assistant Curator, the incumbent: catalogues prints, drawings, and illustrated books entering the collection; performs required research related to the scholarly cataloguing of those works, using English and European language research sources; records cataloguing information for each work in the National Gallery's online collection management system (TMS); works with Registrar’s office to ensure their accessioning; updates already existing object records as new information becomes available; ensures that artists' biographies in the database are accurate and current; performs research on artists who are new to the Gallery's collection, creates new biographical records, and is responsible for validating works of art when cataloguing is complete for release to the public website. As directed by the Curator of Modern Prints and Drawings, supervises interns as they work on cataloguing prints and drawings in the collection. As requested, assists curators in performing research on possible acquisitions through gift and purchase.
Care and Management of Collection Under the direction of the Curator of Modern Prints and Drawings, and Associate/Assistant Curator in CG-MPD, maintains the safe and orderly storage of all modern prints and drawings, a collection of more than 50,000 objects, primarily in the CG-MPD department in the West Building, although modern and contemporary works stored in the East Building will also fall under the care of the CG-MPD collections manager. Anticipates storage needs and requisitions necessary materials and supplies; coordinates the labeling and permanent housing of modern works on paper. Ensures that art storerooms are kept organized, clean, and neat and coordinates periodic maintenance of storerooms with AFM and other appropriate offices. Assists with the annual inventory of modern prints and drawings and assists the Registrar and curators in following up on any problems that may arise. Works closely with the Curator of Modern Prints and Drawings and the Senior Paper Conservator to identify works in need of conservation treatment and assists with their transport to and from the paper conservation laboratory.
Organization Monitors and accurately records the movement of modern prints and drawings to, from, and within designated CG (Division of Graphics) storerooms, including maintaining movement lists and recording movement in TMS. Initiates appropriate paperwork for the Registrar’s office (PRL), notifying PRL of incoming modern prints and drawings; works with PRL to coordinate movement of modern works on paper to CG-MPD storerooms; organizes and maintains paperwork on objects under consideration for acquisition with the curatorial assistant. Frequently transports works to and from these temporary storage areas and other sites within the Gallery. Maintains object and artist research files. Ensures that permanent locations of all modern prints and drawings are kept current in TMS, on the object mats, and on box lists and shelves in the storeroom.
Public Service and Collegiality Works with a wide variety of other museum professionals, including registrar, conservation, photography services, matting and framing. Coordinates appointments for study room with the curatorial assistant, retrieves and returns prints and drawings requested by visitors, participates in the supervision of visitors and otherwise assists them while they are examining objects. As requested, responds to public inquiries about the collection of modern prints and drawings at the National Gallery of Art and about the proper storage and maintenance of works on paper, according to National Gallery guidelines.
Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.
Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. May walk to other offices in the East and west Buildings.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the next lower grade or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector.
For the GS-9: Candidates must possess specialized experience equivalent at the GS-7 level, involving at least 2 years of prints and drawings (preferably including modern and contemporary works on paper) collection management work in an art museum with training in collection management, art historical research, and art handling operations.
For the GS-11: Candidates must possess specialized experience equivalent at the GS-9 level, involving at least 5 years of prints and drawings (preferably including modern and contemporary works on paper) collection management work in an art museum with training in collection management, art historical research, and art handling operations.
Other Relevant Criteria: Reading knowledge of at least one foreign language: German, French, Italian, or Spanish; preferably two (German and one other)
Candidates must reflect in their submitted USAJOBS résumés the possession of this specialized experience. If their résumés do not include such specialized experience, they will be ineligible for this position.
Those applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be evaluated against these factors to determine the best-qualified candidates. Candidates should ensure their résumé and submitted materials clearly demonstrate possession of these factors to receive maximum employment consideration.
Knowledge of art history and more specialized knowledge in the history and techniques of prints and drawings, as evidenced by training, degrees, research, or other experience.
Knowledge of advanced methods of art historical research, bibliography, and cataloguing as evidenced by training, degrees, research, or other experience.
Knowledge of and ability to perform proper collections management procedures, including safe movement, handling, and storage techniques for prints, drawings, and illustrated books; ability to handle works of art with extreme care and to maintain constant regard for their fragility, as evidenced by training and/or work experience.
Knowledge and experience with online collection management databases, and the ability to master The Museum System (TMS) used at the Gallery, as evidenced by training, degrees, research, or other experience.
Strong organizational skills. Ability to work independently, and to accomplish tasks in an effective and timely way with close attention to accuracy and detail. Experience using Microsoft Teams software for project management and collaboration.
Ability to communicate patiently and effectively in written and oral form with fellow staff members, professional colleagues, members of the general public, knowledgeable collectors, and other contacts. Ability to deal comfortably and tactfully with people from all walks of life and to work independently as well as part of a team.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
This position doesn't have a positive education requirement, you may submit copies of your transcripts or a course listing. You must provide documentation supporting your education claims.
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under the Category Rating and Selection procedures. The quality categories are defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified", and "Qualified".
Based on your responses to the job-specific self-assessment questions, eligible candidates are placed for selection consideration into one of three pre-defined quality categories as described below:
Best Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications for the position, candidates must fully demonstrate proficiency in all major aspects of the position.
Well Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all of the major aspects of the position.
Qualified Category - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of knowledge, skill and ability of the position.
If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.
Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each pre-defined quality category. Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent (i.e., CPS and CP) must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
To preview questions please click here.
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
Some documents may not apply to all applicants. If you are unsure, click the link for each document type to read more.
ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in our application tracking system. Once this happens, if you have elected to receive e-mail updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered e-mail address. If you have not elected e-mail updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include: application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
We expect to make a selection within 30 to 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/583834800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The National Gallery of Art was conceived and given to the people of the United States by Andrew W. Mellon (1855–1937). Mellon was a financier and art collector from Pittsburgh who came to Washington in 1921 to serve as secretary of the treasury. During his years of public service he came to believe that the United States should have a national art museum equal to those of other great nations.
