Museum Technician (Seasonal)
Job Location:
Fort Scott, KS - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Museum Technician supports the care preservation documentation and accessibility of museum collections within the National Park Service.
Anticipated Season: March - September 2027.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the 10/26/2026 to be considered.
For more park(s) information select Learn more about this agency below:
Some of the Museum Technician Standard Duties include but are not limited to:
- 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.
Additional duties for 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.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
- Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
- 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 drivers 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 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.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience your 2 page 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 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 the event you submit more than one resume only the latest submission will be reviewed.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level you must possess one of the following:
A. One 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.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed at least four (4) years above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours) leading to a bachelors degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field. Education must be in related fields of study such as art history museum studies scientific subjects or other courses related the position.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that together equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess one of the following:
A. One 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 list hours per week worked.
-OR-
B. 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. PLEASE NOTE: If you are qualifying for the position based on your education you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that together equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.
Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.
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.
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.
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 salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.
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 1039 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 316.402b7) 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 combined total of 1039 hours during that period you are still welcome to apply. However please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 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 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours unless granted an exception by OPM.
*This position may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1560 hours rather than 1039 hours depending on the park and program*
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels project needs employee performance or other considerations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing walking and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g. boxes up to 50 pounds) must be lifted or moved frequently.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Most of 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.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here 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.
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.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
