[NHCOLL-L:184] Smithsonian bird collections management position announcement

[James Dean]

Please forgive the cross posting. This position on our collections
management staff has a rather short application period so I want to get the
message out as wide as possible.

Any questions can be directed to me.

James Dean
Division of Birds
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington DC

dean.james at nmnh.si.edu


                                                                            
             99KW-2128
                      Smithsonian Institution
                    Office of Human Resources

                           AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

                       Vacancy Announcement

24 HOUR DIAL-A-JOB: (202) 287-3102

POSITION TITLE/
SERIES AND GRADE

Museum Technician (Zoology)
GS-1016-5/7
Salary:$22,208/$27,508 per annum
Promotion Potential to the GS-9

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

ORGANIZATION

National Museum of Natural History, 
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, VZ-99-07

OPENING DATE:   July 2, 1999

CLOSING DATE:  July 19, 1999

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER   99KW-2128

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All candidates may apply including individuals with a
disability with eligibility under a special appointing authority. Veterans
who are preference eligibles or who have separated from the armed forces
under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active
service may apply. (If a competitive list of eligibles is requested, the
applications of nonstatus candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for
the position will be referred to the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) for
consideration. Status candidates and
candidates eligible under a special appointing authority, who wish to be
rated under both merit placement and DEU's competitive procedures, must
submit two complete applications. If only one application is received, it
will be considered under the merit placement program.)

DUTIES: Responsible for all collections management tasks associated with the
research collections of the Division of Birds. Collections management
includes, but is not limited to, the accessioning, identification,
cataloging, labeling, numbering, computer data entry and proofing, and
distribution of specimens; preparation of study skin, skeleton, fluid
preserved and multiple preps of materials received in an unprepared state;
packing and shipping of all types of specimen
transactions, and maintaining necessary records of transaction activities,
and abstracts and interprets information from field labels, field books,
etc. to prepare accurate labels and catalog entries. Provides general or
technical information and assistance to researchers and the public through
correspondence, verbal communications and tours. Assists in recuration of
the collections, pest management activities and maintaining adequate
supplies of expendable supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience
equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is
experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar
collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying
specialized experience include collections management, registration,
cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of
collections of museum materials, or other experience related to the position
to be filled. The subject-matter specialization is zoology. Education may be
substituted for specialized experience as follows: at the GS-5 level, four
years above high school leading a bachelor's degree with major study or 24
semester hours of course work in a related field; at the GS-7 level, one
year of related graduate level education or superior academic achievement at
the undergraduate level. Applicants applying under superior academic
achievement must submit proof of the achievement. Equivalent combinations of
experience and education are qualifying.

Selective Factors: (Applicants must meet all of these mandatory requirements
in order to be considered qualified to compete for a position.)

1.    Knowledge of vertebrate zoology with an interest in ornithology.

Quality Ranking Factors: (These factors are not mandatory to be considered
for a position, but will be used to determine who are the highest qualified
candidates among those who meet the selective factors.)

1. Knowledge of collections management procedures. 
2. Knowledge of techniques and methods for collecting and preparing
specimens of birds. 
3. Ability to use a variety of computer applications on a personal computer.

4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with others.

NOTE: RELOCATION EXPENSES MAY BE PAID AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SMITHSONIAN

How to Apply:

1.   The Smithsonian Institution does not require a standard application 
form, but we need certain information to evaluate your qualifications. You
may apply using a resume, the Optional application for Federal Employment 
(OF-612), or any other application form you choose,
including an SF-171, Application for  Federal Employment.  See page 3 for
further instructions. (Note: if you use an SF-171, do not answer questions
38-47. Job finalists will be asked to complete a Declaration for Federal
Employment to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to
authorize a background investigation.)
 
2.   Clearly describe in your resume or application your work experience,
education and/or training as it relates to this vacancy. It is very
important that you fully address how your work experience and
education/training meet both the specialized experience requirement and the
selective factors. This information will be used to determine whether or not
you are qualified for this vacancy. Selective factors establish
qualifications to be eligible to compete for the  position. Quality Ranking
Factors are not mandatory but are used to determine who are the highest
qualified candidates among those eligible to compete for the position.
Therefore, it is to your benefit to provide a full description of your
experience and education/training relative to the job requirements of this
vacancy.

3.   Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent
annual performance appraisal.

4. The attached Background Survey Questionnaire should be completed by all
candidates, except  Smithsonian Institution employees and returned with the
application. This is used for gathering statistical data and will not be a
part of the application.

Applications must be submitted to one of the addresses below and must be
postmarked or received by the closing date

Send your application to: 
     Smithsonian Institution
     Office of Human Resources
     Branch 2
     P.O. Box 23293
    Washington, DC 20026-3293

OR

Bring your application to: 
955 L'Enfant Plaza, SW. 
Employment Office Suite 2100
Washington, DC 20560 

(Hours: M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

To obtain information on the Federal hiring process, hear about other
Smithsonian vacancies, or request vacancy announcements, an Optional
Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or an SF-171, call our
automated Job line at (202) 287-3102 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
For further information please call (202) 287-2474 (voice) or (202) 287-3498
(TTY).


(please note that the background survey mentioned above in item four is no
longer included with position announcements.)