About this role
Job SummaryThe National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.
QualificationsEducation 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. OR Specialized Experience Statement GS-09: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-08 level in the Federal service or private sector, with demonstrated knowledge of exhibition case fabrication, construction around delicate objects, and familiarity with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router programing and operation in a production shop setting to execute projects from start to finish. Specialized Experience Statement GS-11: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-10 level in the Federal service or private sector, with experience in fabricating exhibition case components, construction around delicate objects, and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router programing and operation in a production shop setting to execute projects from start to finish in a museum or cultural institution. OPM Qualifications Standard: Individual Occupational Requirements: Exhibits Specialist Series 1010 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions 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. OPM Qualifications Standard: Individual Occupational Requirements: Exhibits Specialist Series 1010 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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. Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.
Major DutiesThis position is located in the Design Department (PXD) and reports to the Head of the Exhibits Shop. The Design Department is responsible for the visual presentation of works of art in the National Gallery's buildings and grounds, including temporary exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, and special projects. The incumbent's work is visible to the public and directly contributes to the success of exhibitions and the proper display and protection of the Gallery's collections and loans. Duties for this position include Fabricates, assembles, adapts, installs, modifies, maintains, and deinstalls exhibition elements for temporary exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, and special projects. Builds and installs exhibition casework, modular wall systems, interpretive elements, panels, platforms, graphics supports, acrylic components, and related exhibition elements. Works directly with designers and production staff to develop buildable solutions, refine details, and prepare fabrication-ready documentation. Uses practical structural judgment to develop safe, stable armatures, supports, and installation systems for exhibition casework, graphics, and special installations, including work in difficult building conditions and around permanent architectural features. Works directly around artworks with close attention to conservation requirements, object safety, and gallery conditions. Installs, adjusts, and removes exhibition elements in situations requiring tight tolerances, careful sequencing, and safe work around art. Uses computer software programs, digital models, fabrication files, and computer-aided equipment to produce accurate parts and components for exhibition work in collaboration with or under direction from other Exhibit Specialists and Design staff. Ability to apply knowledge directly to CNC, laser cutting, 3D printing, and related digital-fabrication methods as part of normal shop practice, while continuing to develop the knowledge needed to determine when traditional, modular, digital, or hybrid methods are most appropriate for the work. Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Develops and tests exhibition-specific ideas through mock-ups, samples, prototypes, and iterative shop trials before full production.RequirementsQualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. 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.