The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located within the Office of Registration, Office of Collections, National Museum of American History (NMAH), Under Secretary for Museum and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI). This office safeguards and documents objects and archival materials in NMAH's custody, whether from its permanent collection or on loan.
Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. For this position specialized experience is defined as: processing documentation for incoming and outgoing objects and archival materials loan requests, processing and compiling documentation for loan renewals, and coordinating loan returns. OR You qualify with Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR You may qualify with combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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). 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.
This position serves as a Loans Registrar, managing all registration aspects of the NMAH loan program. Responsibilities include processing documentation for incoming and outgoing archival material loan requests, compiling documentation for loan renewals, coordinating loan returns with team members, and maintaining loan records in the Museum's Collection Information System (CIS). In this position, you will: Review legal title for objects and archival materials requested for outgoing loans and update CIS accordingly. Prepare documentation for approving and renewing loans, assist with negotiating loan terms and conditions, ensure proper insurance coverage for incoming loans, and coordinate packing and shipping arrangements with lenders, Curatorial staff, Archives Center staff, Collections staff, and OPF staff. Maintain official loan records, including paper files and entries in the loan module of NMAH's CIS, Mimsy XG. Generate reports on loan activities as required.