Museum Technician (Geology) (Seasonal)

U.S. Department of the Interior; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, DC seeks a Museum Technician to support curatorial operations, cataloging, and handling of objects within a museum environment.

Responsibilities include unpacking, processing, labeling, and maintaining records; assisting with paleontology fieldwork as needed; and performing routine clerical tasks to support the curatorial workflow. The position requires adherence to federal hiring rules, the ability to work in exhibit and storage spaces, and

Job description

Summary

The typical defined season is not to exceed 6 months between May - November but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May 2027. Open to the first 50 applicants or until 11/16/2026, whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Major Duties

Some of the Museum Technician Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Assists with unpacking objects and processing them and performs limited cleaning. Places objects in storage, maintaining the organization already established by the supervisor. Performs routine research for catalog records, exhibits, and other purposes as assigned. Catalogs objects. Enters cataloging data into the designated NPS catalog program using established NPS procedures. Performs routine cleaning of objects as directed and according to established standards. Performs a variety of basic clerical operations in support of the curatorial operation. Identifies and labels objects by matching documentation field labels, notes, etc. with the objects. Assists with paleontology fieldwork. Additional duties for GS-7: Indepedently unpacks objects and processes them; identifies preservation needs and recommends additional actions. 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. Implements museum maintenance and housekeeping schedules. Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., equipment and packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis. Working Conditions: The work is performed in a museum environment of exhibit and storage areas, workroom/laboratory, and offices. Occasional work with materials which are dusty or stored with protective chemicals may require the use of dust masks, gloves, or other protective devices.

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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program, or (2) given full credit for courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit Home | E-Verify Occupancy of government quarters may be required. Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed. Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing. You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work. You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle. You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles. You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority. You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. You 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.

Evaluations

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. Your resume must not exceed 2 pages. 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 veterans' 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: History and Archaeology Technical Competence Technology Application Visual Identification Current or former displaced Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be well-qualified. To meet the definition of well-qualified, you must (1) score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire; (2) meet the minimum qualification requirements (education, experience or a combination therein), including any selective placement factors; and (3) be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry with reasonable accommodation, when applicable. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Providing false or misleading information on your resume or supporting documentation may result in your removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in your application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.

What to Expect Next

Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources