Assistant Conservator.

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution’s NMNH seeks an Assistant Conservator to support care for biological, geological, and anthropological collections in diverse preservation formats.

You will assist in planning conservation activities, prepare surveys and treatment proposals, perform skilled preservation work, and provide exhibition conservation support to staff while contributing to preventive conservation programs.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service, with conservation theories, practices, and treatment methods.
• Education substitution allowed: three years of graduate study toward a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and coordinating conservation activities across NMNH.
• Prepare surveys, technical examination reports, and treatment proposals with sketches and analyses.
• Perform skilled conservation work in examination, documentation, preservation, and restoration of specimens and objects.
• Provide exhibition conservation support to the Office of Exhibits and relevant staff.
• Contribute to preventive conservation programs and disseminate information to stakeholders.

Education

Graduate education in conservation or related field

Job description

Duties

The Assistant Conservator will support the care of NMNH’s biological, geological, and anthropological collections in a variety of preservation formats.

In This Position, You Will

• Assist in the implementation of conservation services across NMNH and assists the Museum Conservator in planning and coordinating conservation activities.
• Prepare written collection and/or facility or exhibit surveys, technical examination reports, and treatment proposals with sketches, analytical reports, digital images, and radiographs.
• Perform skilled conservation work in the examination, documentation, preservation, and restoration of specimens and objects in the collection.
• Provide exhibition conservation support, guidance, and assistance to the Office of Exhibits and relevant departmental staff.
• Contribute to all aspects of preventive conservation program to generate and disseminate pertinent information to relevant stakeholders.

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.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on

Qualifications

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 in conservation theories, practices, and treatment methods applicable to the scientific examination, restoration and preservation of museum artifacts of natural science and/or anthropological collections; and in the practice in one area of preventive conservation (e.g. disaster management, environmental monitoring, surveys and assessments, shipping, exhibit and storage strategies, digital documentation).

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.

Or Education: Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree related to the position may be substituted to meet the experience requirements.

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

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Please see Benefits at

• Flexible Spending Accounts -
• Health Insurance -
• Leave -
• Life Insurance -
• Long Term Care Insurance -
• Retirement Program -