Museum Specialist (General)

Smithsonian Institution; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum seeks an experienced artifact handler specializing in packing, moving, and preserving delicate aerospace artifacts. The role supports the Collections Processing Unit's mission to protect and document the National Collection.

The position requires knowledge of environmental conditions, security protocols, and careful transportation planning, with opportunities to work both locally and in international contexts.

Qualifications

• Experience handling delicate artifacts and applying proper packing techniques.
• Knowledge of inventory management and documentation requirements.
• Ability to plan and execute artifact transportation locally and internationally.
• Graduate education or equivalent experience as a qualifying option.

Skills

Artifact handling

Packing & moving

Environmental controls

Security protocols

Preventive conservation

International shipping

Regulatory compliance

Education

Graduate education (2 years)

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

Crating systems

Lifters

Climate-controlled containers

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 & Space Museum/Collections Processing Unit (CPU). The Collections Processing Unit is responsible for protecting the National Collections of Aeronautics and Space Artifacts in perpetuity and guaranteeing intellectual and physical control over those collections.

GS-07 Experience

You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience and knowledge in handling delicate and valuable artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects
• Experience cataloging, documentation, and inventory management
• Experience planning and executing artifact transportation locally
• Or Education: One full year of graduate level education OR superior academic achievement in a field related to this position. OR 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-09 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:

• Experience and knowledge in handling large and valuable artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects. This includes understanding appropriate environmental conditions, security protocols, and preventive conservation measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts during handling and transportation.
• Experience in planning and executing artifact transportation, both locally and internationally. This includes knowledge of packing materials and methods, customs regulations, insurance requirements, and logistics coordination.
• Experience using specialized handling equipment, such as crating systems, lifters, or climate-controlled containers is required.
• Or Education: Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position
• 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:

• Extensive experience and knowledge in handling aerospace artifacts, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects. This includes understanding appropriate environmental conditions, security protocols, and preventive conservation measures to ensure the safety and preservation of the artifacts during handling and transportation.
• Experience researching local and international regulations governing artifact transportation, including customs requirements, import/export permits, and cultural heritage protection laws. Understanding legal and ethical considerations related to repatriation and provenance research is required.
• Extensive experience in packing and crating artifacts for transportation, considering their fragility, size, and material composition. This involves selecting appropriate packing materials, such as acid-free tissue paper, foam, or padding, and using proper techniques to create protective enclosures or crates.

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; phil)