Exhibits Specialist (Fabrication) IS-1010-9

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 69,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution seeks an Exhibits Specialist to join its team responsible for fabricating and installing museum exhibits. This role involves working with various materials and advanced techniques to create high-quality exhibit elements that tell compelling stories. The ideal candidate must exhibit technical expertise and robust collaboration skills to ensure the successful realization of museum aspirations.

Benefits

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

403b Retirement Plan

Flexible Spending Accounts

Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships

Annual and Sick Leave

Qualifications

• Advanced skills in woodworking, metalworking, and acrylic work.
• Ability to interpret design and architectural drawings.
• Knowledge of conservation principles and fire safety.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and produce finished exhibit components from design drawings.
• Install structural exhibit components and ensure quality standards.
• Operate and maintain fabrication tools and machinery, ensuring safety protocols.

Skills

Knowledge of materials

Technical skills in fabrication

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Higher education equivalent to U.S. standards

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Hand tools and machinery

Job description

Exhibits Specialist (Fabrication) IS-1010-9

Application Deadline: 27 June 2025

Department: Smithsonian Institution Exhibits

Employment Type: Temporary

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Ariana Lilligren

Compensation: $69,923 - $90,898 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: June 13, 2025

CLOSING DATE: June 27, 2025

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed 1 Year

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Landover, Maryland
Position sensitivity and risk:
Non-sensitive Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

This position is located in Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE), Smithsonian Institution, in Landover, Maryland. The incumbent reports to the Head of Production, SIE.

Smithsonian Exhibits is the Smithsonian-wide resource for exhibit planning, design, and production. SIE provides expertise and support to all public-facing exhibit functions within Smithsonian museums, research centers, and offices. SIE supports the Smithsonian's mission to connect the American and international audiences with the richness of Smithsonian content and collections by:

• Providing the highest quality exhibit design, interpretive writing, project management, graphic production, model and mount-making, fabrication, and installation

• Partnering with Smithsonian museums and offices to augment in-house capabilities

• Serving as a professional resource for Smithsonian and outside museum colleagues

The Production Shop is comprised of two groups: Fabrication and 3D Studio and is responsible for the creation, fabrication and installation of three-dimensional exhibit components such dioramas, models, mounts, interactives, and structures including platforms, cases, and pedestals using a diversity of materials and methods to accomplish the work. Work includes detailing, prototyping, woodworking, welding and metalworking, acrylic fabrication, 3D scanning/printing, mount making, finishing, and installing. The work includes significant use of CAD/CAM technology in the production of parts and components.

The purpose of this position is to perform a full range of production and related tasks in the preparation and installation of museum exhibitions of complex nature, each with unique challenges including specialized techniques and unique materials.

The position requires an incumbent with dedication to occupational safety, excellent communication and facilitation skills, a commitment to customer service and teamwork and respect for the diversity and skills of Smithsonian Exhibits.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepares and produces finished exhibit elements:

Working from conceptual ideas, scale layouts, detailed design drawings, or files, the incumbent prepares and produces finished exhibit components. Components include models, facsimiles, dioramas, metal and acrylic mounts, exhibit cases and vitrines (using the Frank system), panels, platforms, and unique one-of-a-kind structures. Components need to be rugged to withstand vandalism, handling, and high trafficked areas. Traveling portable exhibits must be designed and built for ease of disassembly, packing, shipping, and reassembly by persons unfamiliar with exhibits fabrication.

The incumbent utilizes a wide variety of materials such as plastics, epoxies, adhesives, plaster, day, wood, wood, composites, laminates, metals. Using knowledge of materials and their applications, the incumbent determines the most appropriate technique and approach for each assignment, selecting the most appropriate materials while using a high degree of technical and artistic skill to accomplish the task.

Work involves working with computer applications in order to manipulate and send files to printers or plotters; operating large routers and shop machinery; matting and framing; milling wood and other construction materials; assembling components; cleaning and repairing, touching up outputted 3D prints; finishing; and installing.

The incumbent will be working with project managers, designers, curators, and other diverse museum professionals, the specialist accepts responsibility for his/her part in the production of a given project, and at many times, works in a team setting. Work may include researching and identifying proper materials; assisting in the estimating of the project; providing feedback on designs and/or drawings submitted; specifying and/or ordering supplies; directing the work of others or acting as point person during the course of a specific project; and representing the department as needed.

The incumbent operates, maintains, and/or manages equipment for exhibits production or maintenance. Tools range from small power tools to machinery and CNC equipment. The incumbent obeys all safety and environmental regulations and must demonstrate knowledge and practice of safety procedures, PPE, tool guarding, and general shop safely etiquette. Ensures shop is clean and orderly. Performs regular maintenance on equipment and keeps current on industry standards, new technologies, and changes.

The incumbent may detail the components or submitted digital files using a variety of CAD/CAM software such as Rhino, Sketch Up, AutoCAD, Inventor, or Mastercam. The incumbent may also make small maquettes or full-size prototypes to help the client, designer or colleagues to visualize and articulate the details, or to get approvals prior to building. Prototyping may include extensive reworking of the component, in close collaboration with the exhibit team (designer, curator, client, exhibit developer).

The exhibit specialist works closely with museum objects which are at times fragile and irreplaceable. Applying knowledge of conservation and object handling, the incumbent may be designing/fabricating a bracket or incase furniture to safely install and display the artifact.

Installation:

The specialist packs, ships, and installs structural exhibit components, brackets, and graphic elements based on detailed design and fabrication drawings and specifications.

Incumbent uses various leveling devices to hang artwork, panels and labels. Incumbent must be capable and certified to operate forklifts, pallet jacks, lifts, and have a valid driver's license. Installation support may include operating a large cargo van or panel truck. Work may include handling and installation of museum artifacts and objects. Incumbent may serve as point person leading an installation team, under the guidance of the supervisor.

Work may involve the de-installation of the artifacts and components, adjusted work schedules, and off-site work/travel.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent must combine considerable knowledge of materials, methods and tools with the advanced skills and versatility required to work as a team member in the creation and production of a broad range of exhibit elements.

The demands on the incumbent's skill base include organizing and planning the work to be more efficient; the selection of methods and machinery for the task at hand; the selection of the type of materials to best represent the intended outcome while meeting conservation and fire; the accuracy in the execution of the work; detail and adherence to close tolerance; artistic ability; and quality such that the product is of museum quality and durable. Choices in methods and materials are usually up to the incumbent, and therefore, a thorough knowledge and understanding of materials and methods are critical.

The position requires proficiency of traditional and specialized techniques, tools, and procedures for the production of a diverse variety of exhibit components. The incumbent must have advanced technical and artistic skills in fabrication and mount making that may include computer work, woodworking, soldering, welding, metalworking, molding and casting, milling, finishing, gluing/assembly and other shop methods to produce high quality museum components.

The position requires a working knowledge of a wide variety of materials to meet design, fire safety, and conservation requirements and a proficiency with the techniques associated with those materials. Knowledge includes an understanding of conservation principles. The incumbent must have a familiarity with a wide variety of materials suited to particular exhibit, fire safety and/or conservation requirements.

The incumbent must have the ability to read and interpret formal design and architectural drawings; read shop drawings, layouts and sketches; and develop details and specifications to further articulate the method and approaches necessary to construct high quality durable elements.

The incumbent must have advanced skills in the use of tools for woodworking, finishing, metalwork, acrylic work, model-making and installing high quality exhibits for presentation and use in museums. The position requires the facility in the use of a wide variety of hand tools or shop machinery and CNC equipment. Maintenance of the equipment and adherence to all safety protocol are mandatory.

The incumbent must consistently demonstrate knowledge and practice of established safety procedures, PPE, tool guarding, and general shop safety etiquette. Routine safety training will be required.

The position requires working knowledge and experience in a variety of computer software programs such as Vectorworks, Rhino, AutoCAD, Inventor, Mastercam, Sketch Up, or like to support CAD/CAM machining of parts and components.

This position will require the incumbent to stay abreast of the current state of the art computer programming and modeling software programs and technologies. The position also requires trouble shooting and minor repairs of the equipment.

Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS FOR UNIT]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo