National Park Service Logo
Position Title
Conservator (Objects)
Agency
National Park Service
Announcement Number
WO-1614-HFC-18-10184730 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, May 7, 2018 to Monday, May 21, 2018
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
  • are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.  You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. Are you a United States Citizen?

For more information, review Employment of U.S Citizens.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center. 
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
5. Do you meet one of the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
  • Transfer or Reinstatement eligibles: current Federal or former employees with career or career- conditional appointments in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced; or,
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation.  For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your competitive status or a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
6. Are you a current career/career-conditional National Park Service Federal employee and meet the following Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibility:

Current National Park Service Federal employee with a career or career- conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have held a career or career-conditional position at a lower grade level as the position being announced. 

To verify your eligibility as a current National Park Service Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your current Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your competitive status showing that you are a current National Park Service employee. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
7. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
 
-OR-
 
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.  Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
8. Are you a former member of the PLC between the ages of 16 and 30, who has served the time required for completing a PLC project carried out on Federal land within the preceding 2 years (an individuals eligibility for NCE under this authority shall not exceed 2 years after completion of his/her last PLC project), and:

• Served as a qualified youth on an appropriate conservation project completing a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service that included at least 120 hours through the PLC (individuals must provide a copy of the "Certificate of Eligibility for NCE Hiring Based on PLC Service" and the complete PLC Participant Work Hours Verification Form with your application package in order to be considered under this hiring authority), and

• Meet OPM qualification standards and any other qualification requirement(s) stated in this vacancy announcement for the position in which you are applying.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?  If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
 
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.  
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; and,
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; and,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; and,
  • if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must provide documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.
For more information, review Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).
(limit characters)
11. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility.  If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
12. Are you currently or have previously held a permanent Career or Career Conditional position in the Federal Government in the Competitive Service equivalent to the full performance level of the grade of the position being advertised?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
13. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:
  • Disabled veteran receiving 30% or more disability compensation from the VA;
  • Transfer or reinstatement eligible:  current Federal or former employee with career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service that hold, or have previously held a career or career-conditional position at the same or higher grade level with the same or higher promotion potential as the position being announced; or,
  • Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting.  For example, a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc.  All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
14. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
 
-OR-
 
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.  Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
15. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.  

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restriction
(limit characters)
16. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.  Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
17. Were you formerly, but not currently, employed as a Federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.  Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
18. Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position and have you never held the grade or full performance level of this position?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF- 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
19. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference?
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
20. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:
  • recently separated (within the past 3 years)
  • are a disabled veteran
  • served on active duty during a war, campaign or expedition OR
  • received an Armed Forces Service Medal
If eligible, submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. If claiming disability preference, provide the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the specialized experience requirements for this position at the GS-12 level. (limit characters)
2. A valid state driver's license in good standing is required. Upon tentative selection, you will be required to submit driver's license information. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
3. Examine museum objects using various methods to determine their physical and chemical nature, condition, causes of damage, and previous treatments. (limit characters)
4. Use specialized examination and analytical techniques, as appropriate, for the identification and testing of materials. (limit characters)
5. Carry out and remain current with technical research in the field of conservation. (limit characters)
6. Apply the most up-to-date scientific or scholarly research methods to facilitate treatments. (limit characters)
7. Ensure proper laboratory safety procedures and requirements are implemented and maintain an organized laboratory space and supplies. (limit characters)
8. Train other conservators, conservation technicians, and interns in conservation methods and techniques, conducting on-the-job training sessions to develop or improve skills. (limit characters)
9. Respond to emergency calls to assess the scope of the problem and appropriate actions for recovery, as delegated, coordinates strategies for object recovery. (limit characters)
10. Supervise interns and volunteers. (limit characters)
11. Participate in laboratory tours, school visits, social media, and other outreach efforts, as appropriate, to educate the community in the conservation field in general. (limit characters)
12. Provide customer service and technical assistance containing conservation issues, as appropriate, to the public and other museum staff. (limit characters)
13. Implement projects within established schedules and budgets. (limit characters)
14. Identify and recommend specialized supply and equipment needs. (limit characters)
15. Use appropriate databases and other software for project planning and tracking, developing cost estimates, managing images, and preparing reports. (limit characters)
16. Participate in exhibit development teams with other conservators, curators, interpreters, registrars, designers, fabricators, planners, and others to facilitate conservation, preservation, and security of museum collections in exhibits. (limit characters)
17. Prepare and review exhibit specifications. (limit characters)
18. Develop recommendations for preventive care which consider location, staffing levels, budget, and local expertise to create realistic plans, standard operating procedures, and other guidance for park staff. (limit characters)
19. Work collaboratively on projects with other conservators. (limit characters)
20. Perform highly-specialized conservation treatments for museum objects, involving complex procedures and a high level of manual skill. (limit characters)
21. Ensure all proposals, treatments, reports, and photo documentation meet the standards of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) and accepted standard practices. (limit characters)
22. Complete photo documentation of objects before, during (as necessary) and after treatment. (limit characters)
23. Identify needs and contribute to new or revised exhibit preservation guidelines, based on subject-area expertise and technical advances in areas such as lighting design, exhibit case design, use of microclimates, etc. (limit characters)
24. Conduct assessments of exhibit facilities, environmental conditions, object mounts, etc. and recommends specific improvements to enhance object preservation while on exhibit. (limit characters)
25. Install and de-install objects for exhibits. (limit characters)
26. Fabricate exhibit or storage mounts, as needed. (limit characters)
27. Research, develop, and apply a range of storage options and housing materials to ensure appropriate preservation of objects. (limit characters)
28. Ensure recommendations for preventive care are consistent with current best practices for environmental conditions, facility standards, transport of objects, and exhibition standards. (limit characters)
29. Prepare condition reports describing physical attributes of the object(s), existing housings, damage or loss, and information on previous treatments. (limit characters)
30. Use practical experience and research results to prepare written treatment proposals, including selection of treatment options, procedures, methods and techniques, materials to be used, and time and cost estimates. (limit characters)
31. Prepare written site evaluations, risk assessments, and plans to improve management of collections and minimize impacts of agents of deterioration (e.g., incorrect temperature, incorrect humidity, light, pests, physical forces, pollutants, fire, wafer, etc.) on museum collections. (limit characters)