Art Handler

Full Job Description

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.

GS-09: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or private sector, moving and installing art, executing proper art packing, installation, and storage techniques and acting as a courier of art to and from an art museum.

AND 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position OR A Combination of Education and Experience (NOTE: please see OPM Group Standard for Administrative and Management positions, combining education and experience section.

GS-11: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or private sector, evaluating multiple options and developing the best solutions to unusual, complex, or sensitive problems related to packing and movement of works of art at a large museum.

OPM Qualifications Standard: Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Specialist and Technician Series 1016 Associated Group standard: There is no Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this series.

Use the Individual Occupational Requirements described above. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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. Major Duties:

The Office of Registrar at the National Gallery of Art is responsible for maintaining and updating records on all works of art owned by or entrusted to the care of the Gallery for the location, condition, safety and movement of those works of art.

Duties for this position include; Oversees the movement of works of art, ensures working conditions meet safety requirements, and coordinates movement, installation or packing schedules with various departments.

Determines work schedules to meet deadlines, reviews work in progress and provides training as necessary.

Properly installs works of art in all media utilizing proper installation techniques and incorporating proper aesthetic considerations under the direction of supervisors, conservators, design staff and curators.

Works closely with registrars and conservators to determine best method for packing art. Makes packing and storage recommendations for new acquisitions.

Develops and customizes packing systems to accommodate objects of unique sizes and shapes.

Leads other art handlers or contractors in the safe handling of objects, instructing them on specific tasks and job assignments.