Museum Curator

National Park Service • Anchorage, AK

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Museum Curator serves in the Resource Management Division for the Western Arctic National Parklands, providing complex curatorial work for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Noatak National Preserve. The position is duty-stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, at the Alaska Regional Curatorial Center.

The curator manages and preserves a diverse collection of cultural and natural resources in support of the National Park Service mission. The work ensures proper documentation, storage, conservation, research, and interpretation of museum objects, while supporting exhibits, compliance requirements, and public engagement. The curator also provides professional guidance to staff, researchers, and partner groups.

The position is primarily performed in an office and storage or laboratory facility, with frequent visits to libraries, visitor centers, and other museums in the park, and occasional field trips to the backcountry. Travel to other facilities and museums, as well as training and professional meetings, is required. Telework is suitable only during an emergency or natural disaster.

Requirements

• Meet one of the basic education or experience requirements: a bachelor's degree or higher in museum work or a related field; a combination of education and experience including coursework equivalent to a major in museum work or a related field; or four years of experience providing knowledge equivalent to a four-year course of study in museum work or a related field.
• Meet one of the GS-11 minimum qualification requirements: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 in museum collections and records management; three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or a qualifying combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience may include handling artifacts and managing collections; researching and cataloging museum collections; leading collections-related projects collaboratively; preparing registration documentation for accessioning and deaccessioning; or participating in committees reviewing acquisitions and deaccessions.
• Submit transcripts when using education to qualify. Resumes must include hours worked per week where required to document experience.
• Competitive candidates must meet federal Time-in-Grade requirements.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National; appointment is subject to a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must complete training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Work requires mental alertness, better-than-average manual dexterity, mobility, and the ability to concentrate for extended periods.
• Inspections and operations evaluations may require walking, climbing, crawling, lifting heavy objects, bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Work with collections may involve prolonged exposure to hazardous materials and equipment. Work with lighting, environmental control, and alarm systems may involve exposure to electrical current and use of power tools with physical hazards.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, catalog, inventory, and document museum objects and archives, ensuring their preservation, security, and appropriate environmental conditions.
• Monitor and manage collection storage areas, integrated pest management, conservation needs, and object movement.
• Support exhibit development by researching content, preparing documentation, and reviewing exhibit plans for accuracy and object preservation.
• Conduct research to identify, authenticate, and document collection items in support of cataloging, preservation planning, compliance, and exhibit development.
• Provide curatorial guidance to park staff, researchers, and partner groups.
• Prepare required plans, reports, and documentation related to museum collections management.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to eligibility.
• A 1.49% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), subject to annual review and adjustment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level