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, 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. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
How you will be evaluated
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. 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. BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist. A review of your application and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If, after the Human Resources Specialist reviews your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that the score you have received is not a true reflection of your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): If you are applying for a VEOA appointment, you must be a veteran and must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. ("Active Service" under this law means active duty in a uniformed service and includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance, while in the active service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary concerned.) A veteran who is released under honorable conditions shortly before completing a 3-year tour is also eligible. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority: Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments Hiring Authorities for Veterans People with Disabilities Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. 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.