Preserving Aviation and Space History: Exhibits Specialist (Mobile Equipment) at the National Air and Space Museum

Stepping into the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C., is an awe-inspiring experience. Towering overhead are the physical icons of human ingenuity: pioneering aircraft, legendary rockets, and spacecraft that have traveled to the moon and back. Keeping these priceless historical objects clean, safe, and beautifully displayed requires a dedicated team of professionals working behind the scenes.

The Smithsonian Institution is currently seeking an Exhibits Specialist (Mobile Equipment) to join the Conservation, Research and Curatorial Affairs Directorate. This GS-07 level position offers a unique career path for federal employees, allowing them to merge practical technical machinery skills with the delicate discipline of museum conservation. If you are a federal status candidate who enjoys hands-on, physically engaging work and wants to leave a visible mark on the world's most famous air and space museum, this role presents an unmatched opportunity.

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About the Agency: The Smithsonian Institution and NASM

As the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, the Smithsonian Institution encompasses 21 world-class museums, 14 specialized research centers, and the National Zoological Park. At its heart sits the National Air and Space Museum, which collects, preserves, studies, and exhibits artifacts, archive collections, and works of art detailing the history, science, and cultural impact of aviation and spaceflight.

The Conservation Unit, which is housed within the Conservation, Research and Curatorial Affairs Directorate, holds stewardship over NASM's expansive collections. Members of this unit are responsible for maintaining public and archival exhibits, supporting structural rehabilitations, cleaning fragile artifacts, and handling heavy, irregularly shaped transport objects. It is a highly collaborative environment where safety, historical accuracy, and meticulous organization are prioritized.

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Job Responsibilities: Engineering the Magic of Museum Exhibits

The day-to-day work of an Exhibits Specialist (Mobile Equipment) is split between high-elevation machinery operations and meticulous preservation work. Far from a desk-bound administrative role, this position requires you to move and operate within the massive display hangers and galleries of the museum.

Key duties of this position include:

• Operating Specialized Mobile Machinery: You will regularly operate gasoline, diesel, electric, or propane-powered industrial machinery. This includes 20-foot single-person lifts, 40-foot and 80-foot JLG Manlifts, Up-pups, scissor lifts ranging from 27 to 60 feet, aerial work platforms, and heavy-duty forklifts.
• Artifact Care and Preservation Cleaning: Working from aerial platforms, you will be responsible for dusting, vacuuming, and performing preventative conservation cleaning on artifacts hanging from the ceilings or mounted high on gallery structures. This requires immense focus to ensure delicate paint, metal, and structural components are never compromised.
• Exhibit Space Maintenance: You will maintain the enclosures, glass vitrines, and surrounding exhibition areas. Keeping public areas spotless ensures visitors get an unobstructed view of history.
• Moving and Positioning Massive Artifacts: You will assist the curatorial and conservation teams in safe disassembly, transit, and assembly of huge display objects, including whole aircraft, rocket engines, and space capsules. This includes securing artifacts using rigging, transport frames, and heavy machinery, ensuring no damage occurs during major display transitions.
• Exhibitional Lighting Adjustments: Working at height, you will occasionally focus, replace, and configure exhibit spotlights and conservation lighting to present artifacts safely and dramatically.

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Qualification Standards and Requirements

This is a specialized, competitive-service federal position at the GS-07 grade. Candidates must meet both basic qualification standards and specialized experience or education requirements.

1. Basic Qualifications

Applicants should have an educational background with major study in fields related to the visual, structural, or design aspects of exhibition work. Creditable academic disciplines include:

• Illustrative design or commercial art
• Fine arts or industrial design
• Architecture or interior design
• Drafting or related vocational technical institute credentials

2. Experience vs. Education Substitution

To qualify for the GS-07 grade, you must satisfy one of the options shown in the table below:

Qualification Pathway	Description & Requirements
Specialized Experience	At least one (1) full year of experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in federal service. This must include focused tasks such as operating various industrial lifts, cleaning delicate museum artifacts, adjusting complex lighting installations, and assisting with heavy/large artifact movements.
Graduate Education	One full year of graduate-level study directly related to the field of museum exhibitions, industrial design, or conservation. (Must submit transcripts).
Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)	Bachelor's degree with SAA based on: (1) Class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, (2) A GPA of 3.0+ overall or 3.5+ in the major field of study, or (3) Membership in a national scholastic honor society.
Combination	A equivalent mixture of graduate education and specialized experience.

3. Physical and Administrative Requirements

• Physical Demands: You must be physically robust. The position demands substantial standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing. You must be comfortable working at heights up to 80 feet. You must also have the physical capacity to lift and carry exhibition equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Selective Service: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Time-in-Grade: If you are a current or former federal employee, you must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-05 level to meet merit promotion criteria.

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Salary Overview and Promotion Potential

The position is designated at the GS-07 grade, offering a salary range of $57,736 to $75,059 per year (inclusive of Washington, D.C. locality adjustments). Beyond the entry grade, this position offers a promotion potential to the GS-09 level. This allows successful candidates to advance in grade, salary, and scope of responsibilities without competing against the public, provided they demonstrate excellent performance and meet structural requirements.

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Comprehensive Federal Benefits

As a federal employee at the Smithsonian Institution, you will enjoy a premier package of employee benefits designed to support your long-term health, financial security, and work-life balance:

• Health Insurance (FEHB): A wide selection of health plans with the government paying a significant portion of your premium.
• Retirement Program: Comprehensive retirement security under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which includes a defined benefit pension plan and the matching Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) (the federal equivalent of a 401k).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAFEDS): Pre-tax accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Life and Long-Term Care Insurance: Access to FEGLI and LTCFEDS programs to protect your family's future.
• Paid Time Off: Earn paid annual leave (accrual rate increases based on years of service), generous sick leave with no accrual limit, and enjoy 11 paid federal holidays each year.
• Union Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement, offering represented protections and wage structures.

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Application Process: Step-by-Step

Applying for a job at the Smithsonian is a structured process. Ensuring you meet all guidelines is vital, as federal HR departments are strict with submission rules.

1. Read the Entire Announcement: Carefully note all required materials before beginning.
2. Ensure Your Resume is Compliant: The Smithsonian has a strict two-page limit for resumes. If your resume is even slightly over two pages, you run a high risk of disqualification. Organize your resume cleanly to present your technical accomplishments briefly.
3. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: You will be prompted to answer questions regarding your hands-on experience with equipment like JLG manlifts, scissor lifts, and museum preservation. Your resume must back up your answers.
4. Submit Status Proof: If you are applying as a status candidate, you must upload your Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Ensure it displays your tenure (block 24) and service type (block 34). Pay adjustments or award SF-50s are not acceptable as sole proof of time-in-grade.
5. Upload Academic Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, upload unofficial transcripts that show your degree, major, and graduation date.
6. Submit Before the Deadline: The entire package must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

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Pro Tips for a Winning Application

• Use Your Own Words: Do not copy phrases or bullet points directly from the USAJobs job description into your resume. The Smithsonian's HR system can flag exact textual matches, and applicants who copy phrasing verbatim are routinely deemed ineligible. Instead, describe your history using original, active verbs.
• Quantify Your Lift Experience: Don't just say "operated lifts." Write: "Safely operated a 60-foot scissor lift and an 80-foot JLG Manlift weekly to clean high-elevation structural components, maintaining 100% incident-free safety standards."
• Track Your Hours: For every position in your resume, clearly list your start and end dates (Month/Year) along with the average hours worked per week. Without these details, HR cannot properly calculate your years of qualifying experience, and you may lose out on credit.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can members of the public apply for this position?

This specific vacancy is announced under competitive merit promotion procedures, meaning it is open to current or former federal employees with status, or individuals with special eligibility paths (such as veterans or individuals with disabilities). Ensure you meet the hiring path requirements before preparing your package.

Q: Are Smithsonian employees required to submit transcripts?

Smithsonian Institution employees who currently hold a position of record in the same GS-1010 series under a Federal Competitive Appointment are not required to submit transcripts during the initial application. However, if selected, they must provide official transcripts before starting work.

Q: Will I be required to travel for this position?

This position is based locally in Washington, D.C. However, it is assigned a travel code of 1, meaning occasional local travel or temporary travel to related facilities (such as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia) may be required to support exhibit projects.

Q: Does volunteer experience count toward my qualification?

Yes. The Smithsonian values volunteer work, including internships and national service programs like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. Be sure to document the exact hours, dates, and duties of your volunteer work on your resume just as you would for paid employment.

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Working as an Exhibits Specialist (Mobile Equipment) at the National Air and Space Museum is more than just a job—it is a commitment to keeping history alive for millions of visitors. By operating heavy machinery with surgical precision, you will play an active role in maintaining the physical majesty of the museum's legendary spacecraft and aircraft.

If you have the technical certifications, lift experience, and a deep appreciation for museum collections, do not miss the chance to join this prestigious institution. Build your two-page resume, assemble your SF-50 and transcripts, and submit your application to launch your career at the Smithsonian Institution today!