Job Description

Exhibit Worker (HG-4715-09)

OPEN DATE: February 21, 2025                

CLOSING DATE: March 21, 2025               

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year   

SCHEDULE: Intermittent

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all Qualified Applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

To view listing and to apply:
https://trustcareers.si.edu/postings/ca7d720d-6edc-485d-9a2c-3ed384450de0

OVERVIEW

This position is located within the Exhibitions Department within the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.  This department is responsible for the planning, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibitions as well as the preservation and restoration of historic interiors and the preparation of exhibition galleries inside the historic Carnegie Mansion.  The purpose of this position is to perform a variety of trades and craft skills associated with the preparation, fabrication of high-quality displays, and handling the installation of valuable and often fragile artifacts or complex projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in production and fabrication of temporary exhibitions (1 year or less) utilizing proper tools, acceptable methods, and appropriate materials.
• Works independently on many assignments and also with other exhibit workers on larger projects that require team effort.
• Working from detailed construction drawings and/or verbal instructions creates, constructs, alters, repairs, and finishes cases, platforms, pedestals, walls, and other support systems for exhibitions and other special projects throughout the museum’s campus.
• The incumbent fabricates and installs complicated cases, panels, housings, and other exhibition elements through the use of simple and complex woodworking equipment, finishing materials such as joint compound, paint and stains.  Particular care must be taken in preserving the integrity of the historic landmark building (i.e. painting around carved wood moldings and parquet floors).
• Under the direction of the Production Manager steward exhibits and build projects from start to finish, through prototyping and fabrication process to testing and installation.
• May be assigned to fashion brackets, mounts, and/or hanging mechanisms to exhibit objects, such as jewelry, small metalwork, books, and ceramics neatly and unobtrusively to panels, in cases or wall, using materials such as brass, plexiglass, tubing, matboard.  Configuration of the above shall be determined in accordance with applicable conservation and historic preservation guidelines.
• Prepares the interior conditions and appropriate supports for permanent glass cases.
• May be assigned to work on alarming of exhibition cases, and other security installations associated with exhibitions, working with the Office of Protection Services.
• May be assigned to install audio-visual and interactive equipment for specific exhibitions.
• May be assigned to light and re-lamp galleries and cases using existing lighting system under the guidance of the Production Manager.
• Works on the demolition of temporary exhibitions.
• Performs maintenance and repairs on existing and/or ongoing exhibitions.
• Versed in tool and equipment maintenance.
• Adheres to OSHA standards for safety involving equipment and construction.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to compute and plan complex construction projects.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and construction drawings and work from them.
• Skills in using basic hand and power tools such as table and radial arm saws, drills, routers, etc.
• Skills in working with plexiglass and other materials used to fabricate vitrines and museum mounts.  Carpentry skill for construction of simple walls, platforms, and cases.  Skills in adjusting or adapting power tools to accomplish different tasks such as cutting grooves, miter joints, etc.
• Knowledge of lighting systems and techniques for the proper lighting of art objects in accordance with conservation and standard museum practices.
• Knowledge and experience in the proper care, transport and handling of art objects.
• Familiarity with dry mounting, vinyl, vinyl printing and installation techniques for the production of exhibition graphics.
• Familiarity with mat board cutting and proper techniques for museum quality framing of artwork.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery.”

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.

About Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to historical and contemporary design and is the steward of one of the most diverse and comprehensive design collections in existence – more than 215,000 design objects spanning 30 centuries.  From ancient textiles and works on paper to icons of modern design and cutting-edge technologies, Cooper Hewitt’s collection serves as inspiration for creative work of all kinds and tells the story of design’s paramount importance in improving our world.  Cooper Hewitt’s mission is to educate, inspire, and empower people through design.

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