Museum Specialist (Aeronautics)

US Smithsonian Institution; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution, at the National Air and Space Museum's Preservation & Restoration Unit, seeks a conservation professional to protect the National Collection of aerospace artifacts. You will apply conservation and restoration techniques to aircraft and spacecraft, document progress, and read manuals and technical data to guide work.

Qualifications may include GS-9/GS-11 experience, education, or a combination; resumes should be concise, two pages maximum, and foreign education

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in conservation, preservation or restoration of aerospace artifacts.
• Ability to document project progress or completion.
• Ability to read and understand manuals and technical data related to this field.
• Movement and rigging of aircraft, spacecraft, and aerospace artifacts.

Skills

Conservation techniques

Preservation techniques

Restoration techniques

Documentation

Reading technical manuals

Aerospace artifacts handling

Education

Graduate education or master's degree in related field

Job description

The 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.

GS-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.