Seasonal Museum Technician

Summary

The purpose of the position is to perform a full range of complex curatorial support work in a museum.

This job is open to
The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Duties

Open to the first 144 applicants or until 02/04/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

GS/5:

• Unpacks objects and processes them; performs limited cleaning; identifies preservation needs and recommends additional actions. Repacks objects with care, assuring complete labeling that preserves data associated with the objects.
• Identifies and labels objects by matching documentation field labels, notes, etc. with the objects.
• Places objects in storage, maintaining the organization already established by the supervisor.
• Prepares, maintains, and organizes manual and automated curatorial records including accession records, catalog records, and donation forms; maintains and organizes other records, such as inventories and object lists.
• Performs a variety of clerical operations in support of the curatorial operation. Provides answers and information to park visitors.
• Performs routine cleaning of objects as directed and according to established standards.

GS/7:

• Identifies, independently sorts, and classifies objects that are similar to previously identified objects. Catalogs museum objects and enters cataloging data into the designated NPS catalog program.
• Handles, cleans, stores, and labels objects in the permanent collection.
• Processes incoming and outgoing loans in accordance with NPS standards for insurance, security, and environment.
• Maintains museum records, including accession, catalog, and loan records, in accordance with NPS standards.
• Completes the accession of new objects and insures that required paperwork and files are complete.
• Assists with the design, installation, repair, and rehabilitation of exhibits.
• Monitors the environment of the collection storage and exhibit areas by keeping records on temperature, relative humidity, and pest infestation. Compiles climate data into summaries, charts, and reports.

Park Information:

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument - Government Housing: May be available

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site -Government Housing: May be available

Hot Springs National Park

Keweenaw National Historical Park

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

Mount Rushmore National Memorial -Government Housing: May be available

Pullman National Historical Park

Voyageurs National Park - Government Housing: May be available

Requirements
Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Incidental Driving: You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/04/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: Possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Museum Technician. Specialized Experience is experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to anthropology, art, geology, history, or natural science. Experience may have been gained in a museum, college, or university, antique shop, commercial art gallery, or other setting involving work with collections of valuable objects or specimens requiring specialized care and handling. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Successfully completed at least four (4) years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in the areas of art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects or other courses related the position. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

COMBINATION: Have an equivalent combination of experience and education. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to one year of specialized experience. For example, six (6) months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience requirement), and three years of college study from an accredited institution (50% of the qualifying education), which includes at least 12 semester hours, or related coursework as specified above (50% of the related coursework required). The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts. You must include hours per week worked.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: Possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal service that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Museum Technician. Specialized Experience is experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include 1) Applying museum collection management practices that include inventory, cataloging, preserving, and storage of artifacts; 2) Utilizing a collection management database to retrieve artifact information, create digital images, and maintain archival records; and 3) Following oral and written instructions; 4) Communicating information related to museum operations, collections, and artifacts. Experience may have been gained in a museum, college, or university, antique shop, commercial art gallery, or other setting involving work with collections of valuable objects or specimens requiring specialized care and handling. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-

EDUCATION: Have successfully completed at least 1 full academic year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate level education in a related field such as art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects or other courses related the position. You must include transcripts.

-OR-

COMBINATION: Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate education. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience) and 9 semester hours of graduate-level education (50% of the education) would qualify an applicant for this position. Only directly related graduate-level education is creditable. You must include transcripts. You must include hours per week worked.

Volunteer 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.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility: Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR [b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).

If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.

The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands: The work requires no special physical demands. It may involve some walking, standing, bending, or carrying of light items such as files, computer reports, or office supplies.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office setting with adequate light, heat, and ventilation.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Data Management
• History and Archaeology
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Oral Communication
• Technical Competence

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/04/2026:

• Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, dates specified in month and year format, and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

• Complete All Required Assessments.

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.

• Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

• Veterans Preference Documentation:

  • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
  • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
  • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from or call to establish proof of disability.

• Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/04/2026. You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

• Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.

• Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."

• Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"

• To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:

• Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.

• Select documents you want included in this application.

• Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.

• Select if you want to include your demographic information.

• After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."

• Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.

• Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.

• Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.

• Review and Submit Application.

• While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.

• You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.

• To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
• Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

Agency contact information

MWR HR Staffing Team

Email

Address

Interior Region 3, 4 and 5

601 Riverfront Drive

Omaha, NE 68102

US

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

01/29/2026 to 02/04/2026

This job will close when we have received 144 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Salary

$19.52 to - $31.43 per hour

Pay will vary based on grade level and location.

Pay scale & grade

GS 5 - 7

Locations

Many vacancies in the following locations:

Hot Springs, AR

Chicago, IL

Calumet, MI

International Falls, MN

Show morefewer locations (4)

Stanton, ND

Williston, ND

Harrison, NE

Keystone, SD

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Knife River Indian Villages NHS Only-You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 02 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Temporary - not to exceed 1560 Hours-The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for is April-November, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: April/May 2026

Work schedule

Multiple Schedules - Knife River Indian Villages NHS part-time and full-time position. All other locations are full-time positions. You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Service

Competitive

Promotion potential

None

Job family (Series)

• 1016 Museum Specialist And Technician

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

No

Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

MW-1542-MWRO DE

Control number

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