Picture of a Museum Specialist

Museum Specialist and Technician

Download Details
GS-1016

Position Overview

DOI manages one of the world's largest museum collections for the American people. Museum Specialists and Technicians perform technical and specialized work necessary to care for more than 73 million cultural artifacts and natural history specimens, and an additional 86 thousand linear feet of archives (more than 211 million objects) so they can be seen, researched, and appreciated by current and future generations.

This position is represented at the following bureaus

Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Candidate Description

The ideal candidate is adaptable, attentive to detail, and can analyze, plan and manage procedures and operations effectively.   This person is a logical decision maker who can effectively solve problems.

Work Environment

Most work is indoors often split between an office setting, exhibit spaces, and storage areas which are often low light and potentially dusty environments. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, bend, and climb ladders. Some positions may involve outdoor field work or caring for objects exhibited outside.

Minimum Education Requirements

Please see the Individual Occupation Requirements on the OPM website.

Career Level Requirements

Responsibilities by Level

  • Entry:

    • Performing simple, repetitive tasks to care for museum collections or facilities, including unpacking, packing and moving objects, and sorting and cleaning routines.
    • Preparing simple preservation solutions, fumigants, etc.
    • Periodically inspecting object storage containers to insure that proper strength and level is maintained.
    • Marking objects and replace labels.
    • Routinely inspecting laboratory, workshop and display areas and performs basic custodial chores.

  • Mid:

    • Cleaning and rehousing less fragile objects
    • Assisting with the accessioning, labeling, recording, storing and packing of collection material
    • Providing routine information in response to inquiries on museum collections
    • Performing data entry and records updates for objects

  • Journey:

    • Photographing objects and entering data into collection databases
    • Identifying causes of deterioration and working with curators on appropriate preservation strategies
    • Preparing technical reports on condition of objects in a collection
    • Cleaning, preparing and transporting fragile items
    • Cataloging, inventorying and maintaining records on museum objects

  • Senior:

    • Researching and promoting collections
    • Accounting for, preserving and protecting museum collections
    • Developing and implementing museum procedures for care, access, use and documentation of collections
    • Facilitate access to collection for research, exhibit and education
    • Overseeing annual inventories
    • Preparing, updating and revising catalog and accession records for objects
    • Preparing loan documentation and coordinating logistics for shipping and storage
    • Working with exhibit designers, scholars, curators planner and contractors in the development of exhibits.
    • Administering the collections management database
    • Interacting with stakeholders and the public regarding the care and management of collections.
    • Advocating for the collections within the overall management and operation of the site or facility.

Click to read more

Strengths by Level

Entry 3-4
Mid 5-7
Journey 8-10
Senior 11-12
  • Accountability
    Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Creative Thinking
    Uses imagination to develop new insights into situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs new methods where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Customer Service
    Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Decision Making
    Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Flexibility
    Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with ambiguity.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Information Management
    Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Partnering
    Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Planning and Evaluating
    Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Teamwork
    Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Technical Competence
    Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12
  • Writing
    Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 3-4
    Mid 5-7
    Journey 8-10
    Senior 11-12

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

12.5%

Archaeology

See Position Details
12.5%

Equipment,facilities And Services Asst

Career Information Coming Soon
12.5%

Guide

See Position Details
3502 - Laboring 12.5%
1015 - Museum Curator 12.5%
0025 - Park Ranger 12.5%
1106 - Procurement Clerical And Technician 12.5%
0102 - Social Science Aid And Technician 12.5%

Where We Are

DOI employs people at more than 2,400 locations across the United States and territories. Use the Position Locator tool to see where current DOI employees work. To check for job opportunities, scroll down and click "See jobs on USAjobs.gov."

Explore the possibilities.

See all jobs on USAJobs.gov