Summary
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is a major bureau of the Smithsonian Institution that is responsible for the acquisition, curation, and preservation of collections of objects and specimens of natural history, which tells the history of the planet and a record of human interaction with the environment and one another.
Duties
The Museum Specialist (Geology) will utilize the Paleo Preparation Laboratory and Fossil Lab to provide technical assistance to the labs in research through the preparation of fossil vertebrate, invertebrate, and palaeobotanical specimens for research. In this position, you will: Prepare, repair, and conserve fossil specimens for study, exhibition, and incorporation into the National collections, utilizing manual and mechanical tools, chemical preparation techniques, and archival media. Manage and oversee a diverse volunteer corps in a fossil preparation lab. Ensure compliance of Health & Safety protocols for the lab and volunteers. Repair and conserve the collection specimens as directed. Speak to the public about fossil preparation projects, identify potential fossil specimens, provide tours, locate particular specimens or collections for visiting researchers.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment Incumbent will be required to work regular weekends and/or holidays and may work evenings or special events as needed. Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.
How you will be evaluated
Applicants for this position may be evaluated in multiple stages. The first stage is an evaluation of your responses to the online multiple-choice questions that assess your experience, education, and/or training for the job related competencies below: MANDATORY SELECTIVE FACTOR: Knowledge of various fossil preparation, molding, and casting techniques on a variety of types of fossils and matrices. 1. Knowledge of fossil preparation and replication techniques, including investigating new methods for preparation, molding and casting, and imaging of fossil specimens. 2. Ability to assist, guide and advise staff, contractors, interns, fellows, and volunteers, and to identify and develop projects for a Paleobiology Preparation Labs. 3. Knowledge of fossil conservation, repair, and archival housing techniques 4. Ability to interact with a diversity of individuals and groups, including visitors, volunteer preparators, avocational paleontologists, students, and colleagues from both internal and external institutions. If you are found qualified for this position and meet or exceed a predefined rating threshold from your questionnaire responses, you may be contacted by email to complete or submit additional assessments such as work samples, short essays, or other appropriate assessments within approximately one week of the job announcement closing. If you do not meet the rating threshold to move to the next evaluation stage, you will be notified promptly by email. Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. You may preview questions for this vacancy.