Senior Museum Curator (Art)

Summary The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.   Learn more about this agency Duties The collection of modern and contemporary art at the National Gallery of Art plays a vital role in fulfilling the museum’s commitment to national service. Success in this endeavor begins with the hiring of an exceptional curator who is prepared to lead the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art in an ambitious direction. The Senior Curator and Head of Modern and Contemporary Art will be entrusted with solidifying the National Gallery as the preeminent place for the study and display of art, 1920-present. The Senior Curator and Head of Modern and Contemporary Art  will be at the center of a robust exchange of ideas, aimed at reconceiving how the National Art Gallery's collections are made relevant and accessible to its audiences.  Support will also come from the National Gallery’s digital experience teams, which have developed multiple channels of experimental content targeting our virtual visitors.  With the right dynamic Head of Modern and Contemporary Art in place, we feel poised to launch a new age of appreciation for modern and contemporary art. Duties for this position include  Undertakes/oversee major art historical research projects based on observation, critical analysis, hypothesis, investigation, evidence, and conclusions, utilizing established or innovative art historical approaches. Subject Matter Expert in American, European or global contemporary art.  Manages staff; assigning, monitoring, reviewing, and providing constructive feedback to the work of subordinates Leads the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art implementing the Gallery’s strategic plan in consultation with the Chief Curator and Conservation Officer in active collaboration with other departments. Pursues acquisitions as gifts or purchases to ensure the growth and expansion of the collection. Delegates scholarly work on the collection/potential acquisitions ensuring proper authentication and documentation of modern/contemporary belonging to the Gallery or proposed as gifts/purchases. 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 Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probationary 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 EACH MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ) MUST BE ADDRESSED AND TITLED SEPARATELY AND MUST NOT EXCEED TWO PAGES PER STATEMENT Do not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. Applications directing the reader to search within the application or to "See Resume" are considered incomplete and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Basic Qualification Requirements for 1015 (Museum Curator series):A) Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field; or B) Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; or C) Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above.In addition to meeting the basic education requirements, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications. Specialized Experience Statement: While not required by regulation, agencies may require that at least 1 year of the specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at GS-15 (5 CFR 319.301(c)(2)). To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, candidates must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to grade level GS-15. Specialized experience is defined as curating contemporary or modern and contemporary art of the Global South exhibitions and collections for a museum or other cultural institution and the demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position, including progressively broad and complex experience directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below. OPM Qualifications Standard: Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard:  Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must address the following mandatory qualifications separate from their resumes. Statements must provide specific examples that address relevant experience, accomplishments and evidence that you possess demonstrated superior technical qualifications. You will not be considered for this position if you fail to submit qualification statements specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification requirement. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): Maximum of two pages per MTQ. MTQ 1. We are interested in your experience in researching works of art since that function is prominent in this role. Have you overseen major art historical research projects? Were those projects in the area of contemporary or modern and contemporary art of the global south or in other areas? Did the research involve directing others, and were you responsible for assigning and approving work? What were the outcomes of your research? Provide links to the work if applicable. MTQ 2. This role benefits from someone who has experience across museum departments and divisions to develop and implement projects and initiatives that support or advance a larger institutional vision. Have you had to initiate or participate in a large museum project that required cross-departmental work related to contemporary art or modern and contemporary art of the Global South? Did you have to develop strategies to advance that collaborative effort? Were you responsible for building team consensus and creating a final product? MTQ 3. Describe your skill in acquisitions related to contemporary art or modern and contemporary of the Global South. Have you developed a strategic collecting plan or determined priorities? How did you gain consensus from stakeholders on what pieces of art to acquire? Describe the situation and any obstacles you overcame. How recent was this experience? MTQ 4. Describe your recent experience with networking on behalf of an organization. How recent was it? What kinds of relationships have you developed, and how? Are you active in any professional organization, particularly in CAA, AAM, AAMC, and CiMAM-specific networking? regardless, which organizations or affinity groups afforded you a chance to work with groups in similar or complementary fields to yours? What activities were involved in the networking experiences (presenting, listening, teaching, social, serving as an officer, etc.)? MTQ 5. Describe your skill in setting short- and long-term goals for yourself and others. How have you ensured that the activities of a team are well-integrated with those of other teams? How have you planned a year or more ahead of time and then delivered on that plan? Address the way and frequency with which you have collaborated with others to achieve something bigger than one person can achieve. Elaborate on methods and outcomes related to generating new ideas for opportunities and initiatives to advance an employer's goals. Has professional development and education factored into the way you lead others – how do you keep up to date on the latest information in your field? Describe the way you supervise and mentor others, including the full range of hiring, supervising, and terminating as circumstances warrant. Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Your responses to the MTQs will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, particularly, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.You are required to submit separate narrative statements for each MTQ to receive consideration for this position. Please see the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section for complete details regarding the page limitation and formatting requirement.Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position.Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Education This position has an education requirement.  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. You must submit transcripts as proof of education or certification to be considered for this position. You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience. Specialized 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. You must provide documentation supporting your education claims. Additional information The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. Relocation expenses may be paid. This position is not included in the bargaining unit. May require completion of a supervisory/managerial probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. 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. 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-opportunityReasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veteransSelective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ Reasonable Accommodation Requests: To learn more, please consult the following resources: Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations (OPM) How to contact an agency Expand Hide  additional information 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. The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.aspLeave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.aspLife Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.aspLong Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.comRetirement 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.