What are the responsibilities and job description for the Museum Collection Assistance position at National Park Service?
Summary
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency's strategic priorities.
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Duties
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Location: NPS National Mall and Memorial Parks, 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington DC, 20242
Work Schedule and Flexibilities: 12-20 hours per week, Not To Exceed 120 days, In office (or work site) only
Number of Positions: 3
Term: Spring 2027 (90 day term between mid-January and mid-June)
This vacancy will be open until Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET or until 50 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
The National Mall and Memorial Parks seek volunteers to assist with the overall management of the various collections within the park's portfolio. The volunteer will learn from park curators that manage the respective collections from Belmont Paul National Historic Monument for Women's Equality, Ford's Theater, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This project is intended to (1) build stewardship for cultural and historic resources though acquired from this introductory experience in the field of museum collections management and (2) increase awareness of and access to parks by providing greater access to the public to the contents of the collection.
The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Conditions of employment
To participate in this Program, you must:
Qualifications
You will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs.
Preferred degrees of academic study
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
Additional information
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
Help
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and valuable career-ready skills. The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration aligning with each agency's strategic priorities.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Location: NPS National Mall and Memorial Parks, 1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington DC, 20242
Work Schedule and Flexibilities: 12-20 hours per week, Not To Exceed 120 days, In office (or work site) only
Number of Positions: 3
Term: Spring 2027 (90 day term between mid-January and mid-June)
This vacancy will be open until Thursday, October 29th, 2026 at 11:59pm ET or until 50 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
The National Mall and Memorial Parks seek volunteers to assist with the overall management of the various collections within the park's portfolio. The volunteer will learn from park curators that manage the respective collections from Belmont Paul National Historic Monument for Women's Equality, Ford's Theater, and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This project is intended to (1) build stewardship for cultural and historic resources though acquired from this introductory experience in the field of museum collections management and (2) increase awareness of and access to parks by providing greater access to the public to the contents of the collection.
The government-wide "Semester of Service" Student Volunteer Program, as authorized under 5 U.S.C §31114 and 5 CFR Part 3085, enables Federal agencies to engage students in unpaid, project-based assignments of limited duration. These assignments are designed to align with each agency's strategic priorities, offering participants practical experience within Federal operations while supporting the advancement of targeted initiatives.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Conditions of employment
To participate in this Program, you must:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S National studying in the U.S. or abroad
- Be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution throughout the 90 day Semester of Service opportunity. Students graduating before May 1, 2027 are not eligible. Selectees will be responsible for contacting a school official to sign a Semester of Service approval form indicating you are currently enrolled at least half-time and in good academic standing.
- Qualifying educational institutions must be located within the United States.
- Be in good academic standing as defined by your institution.
- Commit to volunteering 8 - 20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
- Complete all required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and your academic institution.
- Agree to volunteer. This position is unpaid. No compensation, stipends, or hiring preference will be granted from this work. You may use this volunteer experience to qualify for future jobs you choose to apply for.
- Agree to understanding volunteers are not Federal employees.
- Not be a current federal employee. Current federal employees can reach out to the contact below to inquire about job detail opportunities.
Qualifications
You will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs.
Preferred degrees of academic study
- Archaeology/Anthropology
- History/Art History/Public History
- Communication/Journalism
- Government/Political Science
- International Affairs/International Development
- Library Science/Museum Studies
- Legal Studies/Law
- Public Administration/Management/Policy
- Writer/Editor/Public Affairs
- Vocational/ Technical Studies
Education
To qualify, you must be enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. You also must be in good academic standing as defined by your institution. Attach a copy of your transcripts to your application package for verification.
Additional information
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
Help
This is an unpaid volunteer experience. Student volunteers are not considered Federal employees for any purpose other than injury compensation and laws related to the Federal Tort Claims Act, and service is not creditable for leave accrual or other employee benefits.
- Professional experience: Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision and federal mentorship.
- Skill Development: Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
- Career Exploration: Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
- Protection and support:
- Coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act
- Workers' compensation for service-related injuries
- Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision