An official website of the United States government
This position serves the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum (SAWHM), overseeing the departments of Curatorial Affairs and Education, to include sub departments and special programs. The incumbent supports planning, developing and implementing audience engagement through curatorial, collection, education, interpretation, public programming, and outreach initiatives onsite, nationally and online.
Learn more about this agency09/22/2023 to 10/20/2023
$141,022 - $212,100 per year
SL 00
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
00
Yes
No
EX-23-33
750780800
Provides leadership and direction to Curatorial Affairs in the planning, development, and execution of museum exhibitions, symposiums, and other scholarly content driven activities. Works with the curatorial, collections and conservation teams to formulate goals and objectives and appropriate policy guidelines for curatorial, collections, conservation activities. Ensures the development and incorporation of digital content regarding exhibitions, publications, and other content related scholarship. Makes policy decisions concerning Curatorial Affairs programs, including matters of budget, staffing, and organization.
Works closely with the Project Management Office, Museum Operations, Digital Strategy and External Affairs to ensure and coordinate collaboration for the development, implementation and execution of public programs, exhibitions, and publications. In coordination with the Director and the curatorial, collections and conservation teams, reviews and evaluates proposals for new scholarly programs, exhibitions, or any significant changes in existing programs in research and collections. In concert with the Director reviews scholarship proposals and provides leadership and guidance on implementation of the proposed programs. In coordination with Director, establishes standards for research, exhibitions, collections, digital development, scholarly publications, and other professional programs. Directs and coordinates the efforts of the research and other professional staff to ensure that a high quality of performance is maintained, and that program emphases and museum strategic priorities are effectively carried out. This includes the monitoring of staff research and publication efforts, and the effective dissemination of scholarly work by professional staff and visiting researchers through lectures, symposia, and publications to both general and specialized audiences.
Performs historical research which results in authoritative scholarly contributions to the field. Participates in national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia and serves on national and international museum committees. Explores and develops joint programs in cooperation with universities, other museums, and community groups. Provides expert advice and consultation to professional and other organizations.
Serves as principal advisor to the Director on all matters relating to educational activities, audience development, interpretation, digital learning, programming and public engagement. Collaborates with the Director on education and audience development planning, policies, resources, and implementation. Collaborates with the Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships in developing audience engagement vision; onsite and national/international visitor experiences; and electronic representation of the SAWHM; creates and implements short-and long-term plans to guide museum education, audience development and engagement. Maintains close working relationships with other Associate Directors to ensure integration of planning and activities.
Through subordinate supervisors, directs the Education office, leading staff, interns, docents and contractors to ensure creative, quality and audience-sensitive activities and programs consistent with the Museum’s strategic plan, emphases and priorities. Assures appropriate collaboration with curatorial and other staff (administrative, business, communications and marketing, special events and development) in all areas relating to audience engagement. Assures effective process of program and exhibition evaluation.
Develops and implements operating policies, standards, and procedures. Develops performance standards for subordinate supervisors and evaluates their performance. Reviews and approves recommendations for personnel actions and acts to resolve major personnel problems. Actively supports safe environment and practices, staff development, labor relations, equal employment and diversity. Ensures compliance with procurement, financial and HR regulations, policies, and practices.
Develops, justifies, executes, and controls the office federal and trust budgets and ensures compliance with all Federal, Institution and Museum financial management policies and procedures. Ensures adequate office control systems are in place to monitor expenses and budget limitations, contracts, and procurements. Ensures that all applicable safety policy, standards, procedures, and reviews are in place and followed.
Represents the Director as required at a variety of meetings and conferences, with delegated authority to commit the Museum to programs and courses of action. Serves as member of Director’s Council. Represents the Museum on all matters related to audience engagement.
Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
A degree in Museum Education, Management, or a related field; or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four year course of study in an applicable subject matter field.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as it relates to educational programming/activities, audience development, interpretation, digital learning and public engagement of a large museum or cultural organization.
The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated experience in leading and supporting a program related to education and public engagement that consists of visitor orientation and guest services, K-12 outreach and digital learning, audience development and public programs.
2. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage strategic priorities and initiatives related to education and audience development. This should include local, national, and international audiences both onsite and online.
3. Demonstrated experience in leading and supporting a museum or other cultural organization related to collections management, scholarly activities, and exhibition planning. This should include examples of managing strategic priorities and initiatives related to building collections, exhibition development, and scholarly activities.
4. Skill in executive level budgeting and resource management, including managing relationships across large, multi-tiered organizations.
5. Skill in leading and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including developing team-work and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs for a highly performing team.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The incumbent reports to the Director and works collaboratively with the Director and the museum’s senior leaders in developing broad policy guidelines and objectives for scholarly, collections, and educational activities. Operates with broad delegated authority and responsibility, planning and carrying out assigned responsibilities independently. Incumbent consults with the Director on major policy questions or controversial issues, and keeps the Director advised of significant programs and potential problems. Work performance is evaluated in terms of effectiveness in achieving program and museum goals.
SECURITY LEVEL
This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be Public Trust / HIGH RISK. This designation will require (1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and (2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and favorable adjudication in to continue in the position.
EEO
The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
RELOCATION
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When preparing your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job-related competencies set forth above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job-related competencies set forth above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements but does not satisfy most of the job-related competencies set forth above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process 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 category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.
Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAJobs system will not be considered for this position.
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 supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate with your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment.
Your application package should include the following documents:
-Resume
- Proof of Veteran's Preference - DD214 (Member 4 Copy), if you are a veteran. Additionally, applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, as well as additional documentation required by the SF-15, such as a VA letter.
- Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
- Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
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/750780800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
