The Smithsonian Institution is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. The purpose of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) is to educate the public about the development of aviation and spaceflight. The museum collects, preserves, and displays aeronautical and spaceflight artifacts of historical significance.

Duties

The Department of Space History embraces topics such as rockets, spacecraft and other robotic machines, and includes scientific instruments, space hardware of all varieties and the power plants and systems associated with their operation, the history of astronomy, planetary exploration and space science. With assistance, this position curates the department’s collection and exhibits with a focus on astronomy. The Museum Curator (Science and Technology) will:

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

All Applicants must meet these Basic Requirements (you must submit academic transcripts): (A) Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field. Or (B) Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Or (C) Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above. In addition to Basic Requirements above, you must have the following: For GS-11: Specialized Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position specialized experience is defined as researching the history of astronomy and astrophysics in a museum setting.  Or Education: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree Or Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. For GS-12: Specialized Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position specialized experience is defined as developing, implementing and/or coordinating independent research related to the history of astronomy and astrophysics in a museum setting.  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. All applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will receive a final rating within one of three category groups based on one or more stages of evaluation which measure job-related criteria: Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job-related competencies above. Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job-related competencies above. Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job-related competencies above to a substantive degree. This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-veterans within each quality category. The Hiring Manager may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no veteran in that category is passed over to select a non-veteran in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied. Veterans who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher. Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.

Education

Refer to the above for Basic education requirement.  

Contacts

• Address SMITHSONIAN Office of Human Resources POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 5060 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States
• Name: Molly Abromavage
• Phone: 202-834-9426
• Email: [email protected]