Smithsonian Institution

Museum Curator (Aeronautics).

Duties

The Museum Curator (Aeronautics) curates collections and exhibits with a focus on the cultural and social history of aviation.

In This Position, You Will

  • Conduct independent technical research on the social and cultural history of aviation resulting in publications in peer-reviewed journals or books.
  • Serve as a curator to include managing and interpreting artifacts associated with the social and cultural history of aviation.
  • Develop exhibits, especially as related to the social and cultural history of aviation.
  • Prepare technical reports in writing for the staff and public on the Museum and its collection.
  • Respond to the public and commercial media on topics related to the social and cultural history of aviation.

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.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen

Conditions of Employment

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements: (Transcripts are required)

  • Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.

or

  • Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown 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 (1) above.

In addition to the basic qualification requirement above you must also meet the specialized experience:

GS-11 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience:

  • Surveying the literature of the social and cultural history of aviation
  • Identifying sources, and using the sources to conduct research to write and publish scholarly papers and articles, and present the research at history conferences
  • Managing artifact collections according to museum standards; developing exhibitions as part of a team

Or

Education: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

Or

Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the

GS-12 Experience: 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience:

  • Surveying the literature of the social and cultural history of aviation
  • Identifying sources, and using the sources to conduct research to write and publish scholarly papers, articles, and chapters in scholarly books, and present the research at history conferences
  • Working semi-independently to: manage artifact collections according to museum standards, and write and edit exhibit scripts; writing emails, correspondence, proposals and other documents
  • Collaborating effectively with team members
  • There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

GS-13 Experience: 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as experience:

  • Conducting systematic independent research on an area of considerable scope related to the social and cultural history of aviation
  • Identifying sources, and using the sources to write and publish scholarly papers, books, and present the research at history conferences
  • Working systematically and independently to: manage artifact collections according to museum standards, and develop significant exhibitions including managing the writing and editing of exhibit scripts; writing emails, correspondence, proposals and other documents
  • Collaborating effectively with team members and fostering effective collaboration across an organization
  • There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.

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.

Education

Please see the Specialized Experience at each grade level for the Education substitution requirements.

Additional information

This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and,
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

  • 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

Flexible Spending Accounts -

Health Insurance -

Leave -

Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -
  • Seniority level

    Not Applicable
  • Employment type

    Part-time
  • Job function

    Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
  • Industries

    Strategic Management Services and Government Administration

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