Duties

Duties of the GS-11, GS-12 and GS-13 are the same. At the GS-11 and GS-12 level positions have closer supervision of the work completed, and less research and curatorial responsibilities .

• Conduct independent technical research on the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework resulting in publications in peer-reviewed journals or books.
• Serve as a curator to include managing and interpreting artifacts associated with the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework.
• Develop exhibits, especially as related to the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework.
• Prepare technical reports in writing as well as oral presentations to the staff and public and digital outreach on the Museum and its collection.
• Foster relationships across the organization to enhance attention to the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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 opportunity 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.
• Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

Qualifications

BASIC Qualification Requirements:

• Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field.

OR

• Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

OR

• 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 meeting the basic qualifications applicant must also meet specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, are not required to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

For this position at the GS-11 level, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position at the GS-12 level, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position at the GS-13 level, applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service or equivalent.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as:

GS-11: researching the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework

GS-12: developing, implementing and/or coordinating independent research related to the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework.

GS-13: systematic independent research on an area of considerable scope related to the history of contemporary spaceflight in a global framework.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment on your online resume.

Note: Your specialized experience must have been in a position(s) equivalent to duties for the occupation at the next lower grade level for the position being filled as defined by applicable Federal standards.

Education

In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, applicant use additional education as a substitution to specialized experience at the GS-11 and GS-12 grade level. At the GS-11, applicant can substitute specialized experience with a Master's Degree in museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field. GS-12, applicant can substitute specialized experience with a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field. Education can not be used as a substitution for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

Additional information

Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.fsafeds.com/fsafeds/index.asp
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - http://www.opm.gov/retire/index.asp