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Museum Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Valley Forge Natl Historical Park & Hopewell Furnace NHS (Planning & Resource Management Division)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

You will perform tasks in one or more of the functional areas of the museum specialty, including museum collection conservation and preservation practices.

These positions are temporary not-to-exceed 1040 hours in a service year. Positions may be terminated sooner depending on management needs.

Open to the first 40 applicants or until 03/01/2023 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 02/20/2023
Closed date: 02/23/2023
This job will close when we have received 40 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
2 vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$19.82 - $25.77 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 1040 hrs
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
NE-1612-VAFO23-11821144-DE
Control number
702811500

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Duties

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  • Unpacks objects and processes them; performs cleaning; identifies preservation needs and recommends additional actions.
  • Repacks objects with care, assuring complete labeling that preserves data associated with the objects.
  • Inventories, documents, and stores items. Places objects in storage, maintaining the organization already established by the supervisor.
  • Identifies and labels objects by matching documentation field labels, notes, etc. with the objects.
  • Prepares objects for storage or display.
  • 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 performs routine cleaning of museum collections storage.
  • Files records in accession folders and affixes catalog numbers to objects. Maintains and updates cataloging and database.
  • Enters cataloging data into the designated catalog program using established procedures.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • 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.
  • Occupancy of government quarters may be available.
  • You will 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 shift work.
  • 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-03/01/2023-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 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-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform successfully the duties related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. This experience includes activities such as: collections management, storing, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, knowledge of museum practices, procedures, techniques, and record systems, including accessioning, registration, cataloging, filing, and collection storage procedures, or other experience related to the position to be filled. . You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 4 years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours in history, museum studies, art, scientific subjects, or other courses related to the position. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. NOTE: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience. 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.

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.

The typical seasonal entry on duty period is March-October, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: May, 2023. Season is an estimate.

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

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 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 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.

Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., boxes and collection items up to 50 pounds) must be lifted or moved on a frequent basis.

Working Conditions: 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. The incumbent may occasionally perform field work in adverse weather conditions.

ICTAP/CTAP: 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. For information on how to apply as an ICTAP or CTAP eligible see: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

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.

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:
  • History/Archeology
  • Information Management
  • Writing
  • Technical Competence

National Park Service

Valley Forge National Historical Park is located on 3,500 acres in southeastern Pennsylvania. The park is visited by over 2 million visitors a year who come to learn the area's history, experience various special events and participate in multiple recreational opportunities. Valley Forge encompasses various historical landmarks, structures and artifacts; including Washington's Headquarters and office. In addition to the rich cultural history, the park protects natural features including 35 miles of hiking trails, the Schuylkill River, spring fed streams, meadows, forest and wetlands. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site showcases an early American industrial landscape including an ironmaking village which operated from 1771-1883. It is located approximately 50 miles from Philadelphia and 15 miles from Reading, Pennsylvania. Reading is a large urban community and has a variety of museums, theaters, concerts and shopping areas. The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.

Agency contact information

Lizbeth Santiago
Phone
813-763-8354
Email
lizbeth_santiago@nps.gov
Address
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
2 Mark Bird Lane
Elverson, PA 19520
US

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