This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/572472300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
This position is located in the Office of Museum Research and Scholarship, National Museum of the American (NMAI), Smithsonian Institution (SI) located in the Cultural Resources Center in Suitland, MD. The employee is responsible for a variety of content development, collections, collections development and information, and public service projects under the supervision of the Supervisory Museum Curator.
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Overview
- Reviewing applications
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Open & closing dates
07/06/2020 to 08/06/2020
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Salary
$86,335 - $133,465 per year
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Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
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Location
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
25% or less - Travel is 10% or less.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent - Federal
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Work schedule
Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
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Service
Competitive
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Promotion potential
13
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Announcement number
20A-JC-305646-DEU-NMAI
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Control number
572472300
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This job is open to
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
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Veterans
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals . Note: Federal employees with permanent status or individuals eligible for special appointing authorities may also apply to Job Announcement #20A-JC-305646-MPA-NMAI. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
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Duties
- Performs scholarly, technical, and/or applied research related to the Native/Indigenous cultures, arts, and histories of the Western Hemisphere (North, Central, and South America). Performs research which may involve multiple disciplines or interdisciplinary strategies, including connecting contemporary Native/Indigenous communities and descendant populations with historical, contemporary art, and/or archaeological museum collections and resources.
- Serves as a curator of a specific portion of NMAI’s collections based on the incumbent’s training, knowledge, and experience in Native/Indigenous cultures, arts, and histories of the Western Hemisphere. Performs collections identifications, collections research, and/or related collections development work for collections that are stable yet varied and where synthesis is required. There is continuing responsibility for the development and maintenance of a “balanced” collection and this may involve participation in efforts towards collections expansion.
- Performs varied work associated with exhibits or program planning and/or development, including research and preparing content, providing technical guidance, contributing expertise associated with the subject matter, latest theories and/or characteristics of the collection in the museum or other museums, and incorporation of Native/Indigenous or community viewpoints in interpretation.
- Initiates and participates constructively in NMAI collaborations, partnerships, and other scholarly relationships with academic and cultural institutions, including tribal museums, cultural centers, and community-based scholars, particularly in the area of research on collections, utilization of collections for loans, research collaborations, and other ways of partnering with American Indian communities and organizations in support of the NMAI mission.
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Requirements
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.
Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
Qualifications
You must meet these Basic Education Requirements:
Basic Requirements:
- Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
or
- Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
or
- Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above.
In addition to the Basic Requirements above you must have the following:
Experience:
GS-12
You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system related to the work of this position and specific to the Native/Indigenous peoples of the Americas (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean). For this position Specialized experience is defined as development of multiple exhibits, public programs, or other content venues; collections-based research and interpretation; scholarly research, writing, and publications; collaborations or partnerships with academic and cultural institutions and/or Native/Indigenous community-based scholars; and acquisition of significant works of art.
GS-13
You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system related to the work of this position and specific to the Native/Indigenous peoples of the Americas (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean). For this position Specialized experience is defined as development of multiple large/comprehensive exhibitions, public programs, or other content venues; collections-based research projects and interpretation; scholarly research, writing, and publications; multi-year collaborations or partnerships with academic and cultural institutions and/or Native/Indigenous community-based scholars; and acquisition of multiple significant works of art.
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.
There is no education substitution at the GS-12 and GS-13 levels.
Education
Basic Requirements:
- Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.
or
- Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
or
- Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above.
Additional information
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/
Benefits
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below:
- Knowledge and training in the anthropology, ethnography, history, art history, or archaeology of Native/Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere with emphasis on contextualizing Native/Indigenous arts and material culture.
- Knowledge of the pre-Columbian, historic, and contemporary Native/Indigenous nations of the Western Hemisphere and the cultural and political concerns and sensitivities of those peoples, including those related to current issues in the museum and research professions.
- Ability to conduct anthropological, archaeological, historical, or art historical research on NMAI and other museum collections, and in libraries and archives for exhibition and other content development, artifact documentation, and extended study.
- Ability to organize and synthesize information from research and other sources into simple, easily understood concepts and to present them clearly in writing and orally to a wide variety of individuals whether they be high level employees, representatives of other museums and galleries, private foundations or cultural institutions, scholars of all disciplines, donors and potential donors, peers, and members of the general public.
- Ability to work with and connect with Native/Indigenous populations to develop and expand service to Native/Indigenous people and representation of Native/Indigenous experiences in Smithsonian programs.
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 above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies 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 and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
Important Note:
The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
To preview questions please click here.
Benefits
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your application package should include the following documents:
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Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
USAJOBS has guidance on how to ensure that you submit a complete resume: If you have not written a Federal resume before, you may watch this Resume Writing Tutorial video on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ article on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
- 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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
- You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
- You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Agency contact information
John Chiu, Jr.
- Address
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SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
- Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm.
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Help
Required Documents
Your application package should include the following documents:
-
Resume - Your resume can be uploaded and attached to your application or created using the USA Jobs on-line resume builder. If you want to receive full credit for relevant experience your resume MUST contain the job title (including the occupational series and grade if it is Federal), duties, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours worked per week, and salary.
USAJOBS has guidance on how to ensure that you submit a complete resume: If you have not written a Federal resume before, you may watch this Resume Writing Tutorial video on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ article on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
- 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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Help
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
- You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
- You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the Contact Person listed below.
Agency contact information
John Chiu, Jr.
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States
Next steps
At the end of the application process you will be able to create and save a PDF file that contains your responses to the assessment questions. You may save this file as initial receipt of your application. After the job announcement closes, you will receive an email from the Smithsonian with confirmation of receipt. The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS;" e-mailing vacancy.info@si.edu; or by contacting the Office of Human Resources Representative listed. Additional Information:
- Tips on applying for Smithsonian jobs are available at www.sihr.si.edu/jobs.cfm.
- The Smithsonian does not pay relocation expenses but recruitment incentives may be authorized.
- The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity (www.si.edu/oeema).
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Agency contact information
John Chiu, Jr.
- Address
-
SMITHSONIAN
Office of Human Resources
POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517
Suite 5060
Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012
United States