Museum Specialist (General)

About the role

The Museum Specialist serves to carry out collections management activities, including the development and implementation of procedures for those involved in the packing, handling, transporting and storing of objects within the unit.

Responsibilities

• Determine the storage of artifacts by analyzing storage requirements, advise on storage plans and approaches, and design innovative storage systems.
• Assemble, dissemble, load, unload, secure, crate, or cradle artifacts. These tasks require the construction of cradles, dollies, and other supports necessary to ensure safe handling, movement, and storage of the artifacts.
• Handle the movement of artifacts in storage for restoration, preservation, conservation, study, exhibit, or loan.
• Perform all types of specimen-handling operations, including those that require the operation of forklifts or similar equipment, box trucks, and other vehicles or equipment.
• Monitor environmental conditions of the collections storage areas, including the integrated pest management (IPM) program at NASM storage locations, and initiate corrective action.
• Direct or coordinate museum technicians, specialists, interns, visitors, researchers and contractors in the collections areas, providing assistance and maintaining the security for the collection at all times.
• Occasionally serve as project manager/coordinator for assignments.

  Requirements

  • GS-07: Experience and knowledge in handling delicate and valuable artifacts in a museum setting, including proper techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects.
  • Experience cataloging, documentation, and inventory management.
  • Experience planning and executing artifact transportation locally.
  • GS-09: Experience handling artifacts, including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects.
  • Understanding of 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 (locally and internationally), including 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.
  • GS-11: Experience handling aerospace artifacts, including techniques for packing, unpacking, and physically moving objects.
  • Understanding of 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.
  • Experience packing and crating artifacts for transportation, considering their fragility, size, and material composition while selecting appropriate packing materials, such as acid-free tissue paper, foam, or padding, and using proper techniques to create protective enclosures or crates.

    Qualifications

    • GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal Service.
    • GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service.
    • GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service.