Collection Specialist

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. Its Archives of American Art (AAA) collects, preserves, and makes available primary sources that document more than two hundred years of our nation’s artists and art communities. This fosters research and connects the public to a uniquely American cultural heritage.

Qualifications:

Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website.

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system.  For this position specialized experience is defined as experience a subject specialist in the field of Asian Pacific American art with experience in the solicitation, acquisition, description, and scholarly appraisal of archival collections, including communicating with a variety of internal and external contacts to negotiate acquisitions and respond to inquiries regarding potential solicited and unsolicited gifts.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. 

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

The Collection Specialist serves as a collections specialist acquiring primary sources as gifts from a broad geographic range in the United States, with special emphasis on documenting the Asian Pacific American experience in the art world.

In this position you will:

1. Develop and follow an approved collecting plan focused on Asian Pacific American art and artists in consultation with leadership and contribute to national collecting initiatives as part of the curatorial team.

2. Maintain  Responsibility for the selection, accurate description, and the scholarly appraisal of collections through a close examination of their contents and negotiating the conditions of gifts through a fully executed deed of gift.

3. Arrange for packing and shipment of materials from donor, track contacts, accession new acquisitions, prepare collections for archival processing, and prepare statistical and narrative reports on acquisitions.

4. Serve as an authority on Asian Pacific American art history, consulting with and advising researchers, including curators, art historians, graduate students, and others.