Special Materials Crafter (Carpenter)

Summary This position is in the Design Department under the direct supervision of the Head of the Exhibits shop. The incumbent constructs and installs temporary exhibitions and permanent collection galleries.  The incumbent works with various types of woods, plastics, acrylic, and other materials to fabricate and install high quality partitioning and exhibition components, keeping in mind special conservation needs while meeting stringent deadlines. Duties As the Special Materials Crafter (Carpenter), you will: Work from small scale construction plans of all parts of National Gallery buildings and outdoor spaces, exhibitions, and permanent collection spaces to prepare finished installations, construction partitioning and ceilings (using wood or metal studs and plywood), panels, cases and any other element as determined. Consult with and makes recommendations to the supervisor, designer and/or production coordinator for changes and improvements as necessary, when changes affect the original concept. Determine sound and efficient construction methods to be used in the fabrication of installations and their components utilizing a variety of special techniques. Be responsible for cutting, machining, forming, cementing, cleaning, glazing with wax, polishing, repairing chemical cemented vitrine joints, removing scratches, finishing, and annealing acrylic in various thicknesses and sizes to achieve final product. Exercise ability to solve special problems of installations as well as structural and security problems concerning works of art.  Be responsible for efficiently and effectively using unusual and specially ordered materials where possible error would result in great monetary and time loss. Interpret scale detail AutoCAD, Sketchup and/or hand drawings; read and understand construction blueprints; and analyze and change construction details as necessary, with prior consultation and approval. Accurately replicate existing architectural moldings and construct historical moldings needed for installations using molder/shapers, table and band saws and routers. Determine the type of material, such as wood, metal, plastic, or glass required to fabricate cases, panels, graphics and other complex exhibition components. Estimate and determine quantity of materials to be ordered, time required for scheduling fabrication and installation of exhibition components and plans accordingly to accomplish the project. Requirements 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. See "Other Information" section regarding Selective Service requirements. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. 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. Your resume must be no more than 2 pages in length.  Qualifications Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. This job has a screen-out element which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on the screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible. SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements: 1. Ability to Do the Work of the Position Without More Than Normal Supervision 2. Technical Practices 3. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. 4. Ability to Use and Maintain Hand Tools 5. Knowledge of Materials Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Requires work indoors and outdoors in all-weather types.  Requires dexterity sufficient to design elements accurately and operate tools safely.  Requires ability to walk.  Requires safe use of dangerous equipment.  Requires work in loud and dusty spaces.  Requires ability to stand for long periods of time.  Requires work on scaffolds and at heights up to 40’ off the floor.  Must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, without assistance.  Requires extended exposure to eye, skin, nose and lung irritation from glue, bonding chemicals, and vapors.  Must be able to nail and saw lumber.  Requires availability for occasional duty time outside of normal work hours. Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. "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 not have a positive education requirement.  Additional information The National Gallery of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. AN EXTERNAL SELECTED CANDIDATE MUST BE FINGERPRINTED AND RECEIVE A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, RESULTING IN A SATISFACTORY SUITABILITY DETERMINATION BEFORE BEING HIRED FOR THIS POSITION. All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government. EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans Reasonable Accommodation Requests: To learn more, please consult the following resources: Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations (OPM) How to contact an agency 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 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. 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.