Museum Technician

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Gatlinburg, TENNESSEE
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 09 Mar 2024

These positions are located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the Resource Management and Science Division.

Open to the first 100 applicants or until 03/08/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.Additional Information:

This is a term position (more than 1 year) with an initial appointment expecting to last at least 13 months but may be extended up to a total of four years, or more based on any changes to regulations governing the number of years term appointments may last, without further competition. Term positions do not convey permanent status in the Federal service.

The National Park Service retains the right to extend the duration of this appointment after selection and/or appointment, based on changes to the regulation governing the number of years term appointments may last. This change, which may be made at the agency's sole discretion and without further competition, shall not be construed or interpreted as the granting of a right to a selectee or employee to such an extension. No extension to a term appointment shall be granted to a selectee/employee to an amount of time that exceeds the maximum number of years authorized under any present or current regulation, unless such regulation expressly allows such action.

Major Duties:

  • 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. Catalogs museum objects and enters cataloging data into the designated NPS catalog program.
  • Handles, cleans, stores, and labels objects in the permanent collection. Performs routine cleaning, stabilization, or preservation of artifacts whose treatment does not require a high degree of specialization. Makes recommendations for the care of museum collections.
  • Implements housekeeping schedules and oversees the housekeeping work of other museum or maintenance staff. Provides daily and cyclical cleaning and monitoring of artifacts in accordance with standard operating procedures. Reports object deterioration, damage, movement, or theft to the supervisor. Cleans and monitors public area, exhibition spaces, and artifact storage areas.
  • Processes incoming and outgoing loans in accordance with NPS standard for insurance, security, and environment. Ensures proper handling, exhibition, packing, and return of loan objects. Ensures that all loan agreements, renewal forms, insurance certificates, shipping papers, and related documentation are completed and properly signed.
  • Assists with the design, installation, repair, and rehabilitation of exhibits.

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-03/08/2024-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-07 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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 the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.

EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 1 full academic year of related graduate level education or superior academic achievement in related fields of study including art, history, museum studies, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position to be filled. You must include transcripts.


Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example, 6 months specialized experience (50% of the experience), and half an academic year of related graduate level education or superior academic achievement in related fields of study (50% of the education). The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.

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.

Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001).