Summary The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Exhibits Design Department, which creates exhibitions that showcase the Museum's vast and varied collection as well as telling the stories of diverse people and organizations that have made human achievement in flight possible. Responsibilities The Writer-Editor serves as the manager of all written material published in exhibitions and related multimedia productions. In this position, you will: Advise and direct organizational personnel during projects or assignments in a leadership capacity to ensure that final scripts have uniform style and tone. Write and edit scripts, audio-visual materials, and related printed materials for exhibitions of aeronautical, astronomical, and space science content, and determine a specific approach and method of presentation for the particular subject matter. Ensure the targeted audience is being addressed and that the tone or level of presentation is appropriate and identifies potential areas of difficulty. Recommend changes in exhibit content approach, emphasis, or presentation. If necessary, write or rewrite labels to present technical, scientific, or historical materials in a clear, concise, and readable form. Assure continuity and consistency of the text and typography of labels throughout an exhibition. Requirements Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation May need to complete a Probationary Period Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service. Must be a U.S. Citizen Conditions of Employment Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions on OPM website. Qualifications GS-12 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system related to the work of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as researching, writing, editing, and prooing interpretive exhibit label scripts. 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. Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week. Education There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level for this position. Additional Information This position is included in the bargaining unit. Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Office of Human Resources. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Important Notes: -If selected to interview for this position, candidates will be requested to submit a writing sample. -Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
