Physical Scientist (Supervisory )

About the role

We are the nation's art museum, home to a renowned collection of over 160,000 works of art from antiquity to today. 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.

Located on the National Mall, admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

What you will do

• 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

• 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below: Skill in the oversight and management of a scientific research organization, including associated personnel, budgets, and work assignments. Skill in planning and executing a program of scientific research involving works of art.

Knowledge in the history of various artists' materials and techniques. Skill in both conducting research and publishing findings as well as overseeing such activities of other research scientists.

Category Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the three quality categories: The quality categories are defined as: Qualified (70-79.99), Well Qualified (80-89.99), or Best Qualified (90-100) Qualified Category = Does not exceed the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Critical Competencies defined below.

(This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures) Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Critical Competencies defined below.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of many," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

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 may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Your Resume (no more than 2 pages) showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.
• Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications.
• Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.
• If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
• For more information on veterans' preference click here.
• Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify.
• If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.
• Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

Benefits

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Flexible Spending Accounts - *** Health Insurance - *** Leave - *** Life Insurance - *** Retirement Program - ***

What to expect next

After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in our application tracking system. Once this happens, if you have elected to receive e-mail updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered e-mail address. If you have not elected e-mail updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time.

Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job--this will ensure we are able to contact you as quickly as possible.

In addition to changing your status online, we will send you e-mail notifications at each major step in the process, to include; application received, eligible or not eligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.

For Fair Chance Act Covered Positions: An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment.

If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit ***

Additional information

The National Gallery of Art fosters a fair workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The EEO policy is found at: *** 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.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: *** Veterans Information: *** Selective Service Registration: *** Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites: Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities Reasonable Accommodation Requests: The National Gallery of Art provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement.