About this role
Job SummaryThe Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Preservation & Restoration Unit (PRU). The PRU is responsible for protecting the National Collection of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts through proper and authentic preservation and restoration techniques.
QualificationsGS-9 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Application of conservation, preservation or restoration techniques to technical, industrial, and/or transportation machinery or aerospace equipment Documentation of project progress or completion summary Ability to read and understand manuals and technical data related to this field Movement and rigging of aircraft, spacecraft, and/or aerospace artifacts Or Education: 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications; For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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: Application of conservation, preservation or restoration techniques to industrial, and/or aerospace equipment Performing projects on an independent level, including resource planning (such as materials and time estimates) Movement and rigging of aircraft, spacecraft, and aerospace artifacts Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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). 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.
Major DutiesThe Museum Specialist (Aeronautics) serves as a skilled member of the preservation/restoration team and works under the supervision of a Shop Supervisor. In this position, you will: Perform tasks of a highly technical nature in support of NASM's preservation/restoration program, primarily but not exclusively, preparing the large artifacts in the aeronautics and space history collections for movements to and from exhibit and/or artifact storage. Select and applies appropriate cleaning solvents, fabrics and fungicidal materials for restoration and conservation. Maintain a clear, concise and detailed report of each restoration project, often with daily entries. Determine what tasks are necessary to ensure the preservation of complete aircraft and space craft that have been subjected to outdoor exposure, and storage environments that have been less than museum standards. Design and construct forms, jigs, cradles, dollies and slings as needed to safely handle the artifacts during the restoration process and in preparation for the movement of the artifacts to be rigged into locations for exhibit.RequirementsConditions 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 OPM website.