Museum Technician Jobs
Museum Technician jobs are open across natural history museums, art institutions, science centers, and university collections, at every level from entry-level preparator to senior conservator technician, with specializations in artifact handling, exhibition installation, and collections care. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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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.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). This announcement is for the National Park Service, Pacific West Region (Interior Regions 8,9,10 and 12). Please refer to the "Location" section to see which National Parks are included on this announcement.
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.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- 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.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-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 experience.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.
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, to be creditable, should be related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects related to geological collections. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include assisting with collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: under supervision, unpack, process and repack museum objects; identify, label and prepare objects for storage or display; assist with preparation, maintenance and organization of curatorial records; and perform routine cleaning of museum objects per established standards. You must provide hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed at least four (4) years above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours), leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field such as art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects (i.e., Biology, Geology, Paleontology), or other courses related to this position. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent), in excess of the first 60 semester hours earned towards your degree and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to meet this description. You must provide transcripts and hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
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, to be creditable, should be related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects related to geological collections. 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 the position to be filled including unpack, process and repack museum objects; identify, label and prepare objects for storage or display; independently catalog objects into museum database; prepare, maintain and organize curatorial records; independently perform routine cleaning of museum objects per established standards; assist with installation, repair and rehabilitation of exhibits. You must provide hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed at least one year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) with coursework related to the duties of the position. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education as described above and education as described above which total at least one year. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience listed above) and one half year of graduate level education in coursework related to the field (9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours equaling 50% of the education listed above) would qualify an applicant for this position. You must provide transcripts and hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
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.
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.
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 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 316.402[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 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.
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, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
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.
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.
- 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 removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Required Documents
ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/16/2026:
- Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. 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. 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. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
- Complete All Required Assessments.
- 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 SF-15. 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 www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
- Veterans' Preference Documentation:
- College transcripts if qualifying based on education.
- 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
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for 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 complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 11/16/2026- unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration.
**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.**
The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104091
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To view the announcement status or your application status, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Agency contact information
John Day Fossil Beds NM
32651 Highway 19
Kimberly, OR 97848
US
Next steps
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.
Many similar positions are advertised by various offices within the DOI. You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration. Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between DOI sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Positions are TEMPORARY positions and have no promotion potential.
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received, you will receive an email 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.
Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately January 2027.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Overview
- 1016 Museum Specialist And Technician
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
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.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens or Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). This announcement is for the National Park Service, Pacific West Region (Interior Regions 8,9,10 and 12). Please refer to the "Location" section to see which National Parks are included on this announcement.
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.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- 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.
Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-11/16/2026-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 experience.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.
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, to be creditable, should be related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects related to geological collections. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include assisting with collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: under supervision, unpack, process and repack museum objects; identify, label and prepare objects for storage or display; assist with preparation, maintenance and organization of curatorial records; and perform routine cleaning of museum objects per established standards. You must provide hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed at least four (4) years above high school (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours), leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours of course work in a related field such as art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects (i.e., Biology, Geology, Paleontology), or other courses related to this position. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the number of semester hours (or equivalent), in excess of the first 60 semester hours earned towards your degree and divide by 60 semester hours (or equivalent). Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the two percentages. The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to meet this description. You must provide transcripts and hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
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, to be creditable, should be related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects related to geological collections. 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 the position to be filled including unpack, process and repack museum objects; identify, label and prepare objects for storage or display; independently catalog objects into museum database; prepare, maintain and organize curatorial records; independently perform routine cleaning of museum objects per established standards; assist with installation, repair and rehabilitation of exhibits. You must provide hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
-OR-
B. Successfully completed at least one year of graduate level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours or equivalent) with coursework related to the duties of the position. Related fields of study include art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education as described above and education as described above which total at least one year. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the specialized experience listed above) and one half year of graduate level education in coursework related to the field (9 semester hours or 14 quarter hours equaling 50% of the education listed above) would qualify an applicant for this position. You must provide transcripts and hours per week work and from/to dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
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.
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.
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 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 316.402[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 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.
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, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
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.
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.
- 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 removal from consideration or other action consistent with applicable federal hiring regulations. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Required Documents
ALL required documentation must be submitted to receive full consideration for eligibilities and veterans' preference selected.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/16/2026:
- Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format (include month/day/year format if needed for 52 weeks of experience), and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. 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. 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. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
- Complete All Required Assessments.
- 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 SF-15. 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 www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
- Veterans' Preference Documentation:
- College transcripts if qualifying based on education.
- 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
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for 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 complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 11/16/2026- unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration.
**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.**
The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13104091
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To view the announcement status or your application status, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.
Agency contact information
John Day Fossil Beds NM
32651 Highway 19
Kimberly, OR 97848
US
Next steps
Please refer to your USAJOBS account for application status; the Human Resources Office cannot respond to individual status inquiries.
Many similar positions are advertised by various offices within the DOI. You MUST apply to each announcement for consideration. Officials may hire at any grade level, location or work schedule. All positions may or may not be filled. Dates and length of employment will vary between DOI sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Positions are TEMPORARY positions and have no promotion potential.
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received, you will receive an email 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.
Applicants will get a response from this announcement by approximately January 2027.
You can find your path with the Department of Interior at https://careers.doi.gov/.
Overview
- 1016 Museum Specialist And Technician
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
See All 6 Museum Technician Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Museum Technician JobsMuseum Technician Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in museum technician jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in museum studies, art history, anthropology, or a related field
- Hands-on experience handling, packing, and transporting delicate or fragile artifacts
- Proficiency with collections management software such as PastPerfect or Argus
- Familiarity with preventive conservation standards and environmental monitoring practices
- OSHA 10 or 30 certification and documented safe-handling training for oversized objects
- Experience with exhibition installation, mount fabrication, or gallery preparation work
Tips for Your Museum Technician Job Search
Tailor your resume to artifact types
Hiring managers scan for the specific materials you've handled, whether bone, textile, ceramics, or mixed media. List each collection type explicitly rather than writing 'various artifacts,' because a natural history museum and an art museum look for very different hands-on experience.
Get your OSHA and forklift credentials current
Many installation and collections roles require documented safety training before your first day on the floor. Renewing an expired forklift certification or completing a hazardous-materials handling course before you apply removes a common hiring delay that knocks candidates out late in the process.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists museum technician openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your specialization and apply directly to each listing without sorting through unrelated postings.
Target postings that name your specialty
Job titles vary widely: preparator, collections technician, exhibit fabricator, and mount maker all describe overlapping work. Search each term separately and read the full duty list before applying, since the same institution may post the same opening under two different titles in the same week.
Build a visual portfolio of your mounts and installs
Your portfolio matters as much as your resume in this field. Document mounts, crate builds, diorama work, or gallery installs with before-and-after photos, brief material notes, and scale references so reviewers can assess your precision and problem-solving without needing to ask.
Prepare a bench-skills walkthrough for interviews
Expect interviewers to ask you to describe a technically demanding artifact handling scenario step by step, including the tools, support materials, and safety checks you used. Practice explaining your decision-making process out loud because hands-on competence that you can't articulate clearly rarely gets hired.
Museum Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most museum technicians?
The most active employers for museum technicians right now are WWHM, Planet Word, and University of Alaska, and the most openings are in Oregon, Alaska, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Availability shifts seasonally, so checking back regularly gives you the clearest picture of where hiring is active.
How many museum technician jobs are remote?
About 0% of museum technician openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most collections and installation work. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote arrangements are digital collections cataloging, database entry for existing accession records, and some collections documentation roles where physical access to objects is not required daily.
How do you become a museum technician?
Start by earning a degree in museum studies, art history, anthropology, or a natural science, then build hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work in a museum's collections or facilities department. Develop proficiency with collections management software, document your artifact handling work with photos, and pursue preventive conservation training. Entry-level preparator or collections assistant roles are the most common first positions.
Can you get hired as a museum technician without much experience?
Yes, candidates with limited paid experience get hired when they demonstrate hands-on skills through internships, volunteer gallery work, or independent fabrication projects. Focus your application on specific materials you've worked with, any safety certifications you hold, and a visual portfolio showing mounts or installations you've completed. Many institutions hire entry-level technicians specifically for seasonal exhibition changes or collection moves.
What does the museum technician interview process look like?
Most interviews include a phone or video screen followed by an in-person session that combines behavioral questions with a practical skills walkthrough. Hiring managers typically ask you to describe a specific handling or installation challenge in detail, explaining your material choices and safety checks. Some institutions request a portfolio review or a brief skills demonstration before making a final decision.
Where can I find and apply to museum technician jobs?
You can find and apply to museum technician jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialization, whether collections care, exhibition installation, or artifact preparation, and apply directly to each listing that fits your background and location preferences.
See All 6 Museum Technician Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Museum Technician Jobs