Physical Scientist

Summary

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The Head of the Scientific Research Department reports to the Chief of Conservation within the division of the Chief Curatorial and Conservation Officer. This position serves the National Gallery of Art by ensuring high-quality analytical services and scientific research for the National Gallery in their role of studying and preserving collections.

Duties for this position include:

• Oversees the operation and administration of the Scientific Research Department in all respects, including personnel actions, budgets, and work assignments.
• Plans and executes a program of scientific research that studies artists' materials, their chemistry, and degradation mechanisms utilizing state-of-the-art analytical methods
• Plans and executes a program to test and evaluate materials used for conservation.
• Publishes scientific findings and supports staff research endeavors.
• Collaborates with conservators and curators on programs and publications that relate to the larger mission and goals of the institution.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to serve a supervisory probation period

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 viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.

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). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
   or
2. Combination of education and experience education equivalent to one of the majors shown in 1 above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-14 level in the Federal service or private sector working with scientific methods and equipment associated with the study of materials commonly associated with artwork.

OPM Qualifications Standard:

Individual Occupational Requirements: General Physical Science Series, 1301 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions

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.

Education

This position does have an education requirement. Or a combination of education and experience.

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

This position may be offered a recruitment incentive.

This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/

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

Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.