Federal

Museum Specialist (Art) (Associate Registrar)

National Gallery of Art ยท Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
๐Ÿ“ Washington, District of Columbia GS-12 $102,415 - $133,142/yr
Posted: May 8, 2026 Deadline: May 22, 2026 (Closes tomorrow)

About This Position

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.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or private sector: Coordinating the collection and dispersal of works of art; Monitoring the location, condition, safety, and movement of these works of art; AND Maintaining and updating the records in a museum or cultural institution. 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 Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: None Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.

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.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Major Duties

The Registration and Loans department at the National Gallery of Art has responsibilities for the proper and safe care of the collection, and a full scope of collection management responsibilities including oversight of documentation and collection management information; object movement internal and external; processing and accessioning collections; management of collection storage and storage methods; and the safe and proper packing and shipping for all works of art and their installation. CRL administers the outgoing loan program, the National Lending Service, courier program, and the Gallery's copyist program. Reporting to the Chief Curatorial, Conservation, Collections Officer, they maintain the collection management system (TMS) and develop and ensure high standards and practices to mitigate risk to the collection and for care and handling of the collection on and offsite for all Gallery programs.

Duties for this position include: Oversees the physical and electronic management of works from the Gallery's collection. Oversees movement of works of art internally and externally. Negotiates and approves collection related documents and agreements that include loan agreements, borrower's agreements, art advice forms, loan memoranda, shipping requirement documents.

Consults with attorneys on legal aspects of transactions and ensures compliance with institutional policies and procedures. Organizes all aspects of incoming and outgoing shipments for works of art in the permanent collection. Arranges and coordinates the transfer of works of art to and from the Gallery including transportation, couriers, security, insurance, unpacking and temporary storage.

Organizes shipments to ensure that objects arrive and return on schedule.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date.

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience.

This position is being advertised under Delegated Examining procedures under this announcement; NGA-26-045-DE 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).

Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

Education

This position does not have an education requirement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Administration and Management - Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or art goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including costs and limits. All qualified non-competitive applicants and all qualified Merit applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The National Gallery of Art uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements of this position.

Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Additional Information

The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

This position is not included in the bargaining unit. Relocation expenses will not be paid. Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunity Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites: Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities Reasonable Accommodation Requests: To learn more, please consult the following resources: Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations (OPM) How to contact an agency

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The application process is as follows: Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.

You must have a USAJOBS account and be logged in.

You must have a completed resume. (You may use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS) You must respond to all applicant assessment questions, carefully following all instructions provided.

You will be able to upload additional supporting documentation, which may include, but not limited to transcripts, notification of personnel actions (SF-50), certifications and verification of veterans status (SF-15, DD-214) The complete application package, including any additional supporting documents required for this position is due in the National Gallery of Art Personnel Office on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

NOTE: Applicants who cannot apply on-line must request a hard copy application packet from the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement via email. Resumes and/or supporting documentation alone will not be considered without the inclusion of a hard copy application packet.

The complete package is due no later than 5:30 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. The National Gallery of Art receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks.

You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS".

You may check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS".

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Your Resume (no more than 2 pages)showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience.

Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. Do not include the following types of information in your resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents Other supporting documents: Cover Letter, optional Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional SF-50 Your most recent Promotion, Within Grade Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, Veterans Recruitment Appointment, and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days. Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state, or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13832: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Museum Specialist (Art) (Associate Registrar) position at National Gallery of Art?
The salary range for this position is $102,415 - $133,142/yr. This is a GS-12 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Museum Specialist (Art) (Associate Registrar) job located?
This position is located in Washington, District of Columbia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
This position does not have an education requirement.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is May 22, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.