Museum Specialist at the National Museum of African American History

Job Title: Museum Specialist (Art)

Job Status: Full-time

Salary: $74,950.00 – $97,430.00

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Description

The Smithsonian Institution is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge.  The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.

Summary:

This position is part of the Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA).  The incumbent assists the supervisor with research, collections development (including acquisitions, documentation, and management), exhibition development, public service and programing related to the visual art collection. 

Open & closing dates

01/18/2022 to 01/31/2022

Duties:

Work assignments may require duty locations either at the NMAAHC’s offices in Capital Gallery building and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., or the Smithsonian’s Pennsy Collections and Support Center in Landover, Maryland.  This position reports to a Supervisory Museum Curator.

Research and Writing

Under the direction of the supervisory curator, the incumbent conducts research on topics, themes, graphic images and objects within the Smithsonian, outside museums, private collections, universities, libraries and other cultural and educational organizations associated with American history and visual art.  The incumbent develops and conducts research projects, usually related to the collections or exhibitions that contribute to a systematic analysis and evaluation of problems of considerable scope.  Prepares data for reports and other needs.  Conducts provenance research.  Resulting scholarly research may serve primarily internal purposes or may result in publications and exhibitions that make contributions to knowledge in the field.  Also uses the museum’s collections information system (TMS) to search for, identify and obtain curatorial and collections management information on objects.  The incumbent is responsible for writing material for object labels, the museum’s website, interactive educational devices and acquisition documentation. 

Collections

The incumbent collaborates with collections management and curatorial staff in the long-term development of the visual art collection and the information pertaining to it.  S/he focuses on proper and up-to-date identification and documentation of collections record, monitors requests for conservation needs and storage of collections objects and assists staff with physical cataloging of objects as needed.  The incumbent conducts research using primary and secondary sources to complete cataloging records and to support exhibitions, public programs and publications.  Responds to visual art inquiries from the public as well as institutionally.  Establishes and maintains curatorial records, files, and databases.

Acquisitions and Loans

The incumbent supports the collection acquisitions and loan processes by preparing justifications, researching potential acquisitions, and communicating with vendors.  The incumbent assembles and organizes documentation for curatorial and registrar files and works with supervisory curators to establish, maintain and expand object, artist, dealer and donor files.  S/he responds to inquiries regarding collections from the general public, artists and dealers. Prepares correspondence and reports.  Assists with donor development through the maintenance of files, correspondence and direct communication.  Prepares written documents for use in exhibitions, the museum’s website, educational purposes, and acquisitions.  Works with relevant staff to manage communications with galleries, vendors, and donors.

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:

You must be fully vaccinated for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine.

OR

Have an approved Reasonable Accommodation granting an exemption from vaccine requirements. Please see additional information regarding reasonable accommodations below.  

The Smithsonian Institution has a mandate requiring all employees (federal and trust), affiliated staff (including volunteers, interns, and fellows), and the contractors who work with us to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee’s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., onsite, telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the Smithsonian Institution, if after November 22. The Smithsonian Institution will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exemption from this requirement. This requirement applies to employees, affiliated staff, contractors who are working on-site, and those teleworking in whole or in part. Limited exemptions to the Smithsonian Institution’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate will be considered on a case-by-case basis for selected candidates who inform the Smithsonian that they cannot be vaccinated because of a disability, including certain medical conditions the Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers contraindications to the vaccine, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Additional information and instructions regarding Smithsonian’s COVID-19 mandate will be provided at the time of selection.   

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.