Books and Paper Conservator

About the role

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide knowledgeable expertise on the care, handling, and addressing condition issues of paper-based collections for acquisition, loan, exhibit, transport and storage.
• Perform condition assessments of individual collections, surveys groups of collections and requests for loan.
• Provide guidance and consultation to the exhibition and exhibition fabrication teams to recommend specific climate parameters for materials due to age, media, substrate materials and mounts.
• Attend auctions and visits donors and collectors.
• Conduct technical material science research for all book, paper, and parchment materials within the museum’s collections.
• Perform conservation treatment on fragile and sensitive cultural materials while retaining historical context.
• Examine, analyze, research, notate, photograph and explain all findings in reports. Publish findings and explore paper-based processes and artist methods.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.

Requirements

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Cover Letter is not required. For the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination requirements and its impact on your application, click on Smithsonian Institution’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualification: Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled.
• In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
• 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as examining and evaluating the condition of books and paper artifacts; developing treatment plans; performing conservation treatment; creating housing; advising on display or exhibit requirements; and documenting the process.

Education

This position has no basic education requirement.

Additional information

This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Note

This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Benefits

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.