Individual Placement - Museum Curation & GIS

Position Summary 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Northeast Region (Region 5) is seeking a person with an undergraduate degree to assist with compliance efforts in support of 36 CFR § 79, Curation of Federally Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections. The position would work closely with Region 5 Cultural Resource (CR) and Visitor Service professionals and would sit in the USFWS Region 5 office. The member will regularly correspond and collaborate on work with Region 5 CR staff and occasionally with USFWS Headquarters CR staff.

The member will support this effort by improving data quality, documentation, and discoverability of collections and associated records while gaining hands-on experience with federal curation standards and workflows. A central component of the project includes populating and refining a cultural resources GIS database, linking object records with archaeological site data, and contributing to spatial datasets that enhance heritage resource management.

The member will also work within the Museum Collection Management System (MCMS) to create and update object records, digitize legacy documentation, and organize digital assets according to established metadata and records-management standards.

Through mentorship and collaboration with Cultural Resources, Museum Property, and GIS staff, the member will gain professional skills, exposure to interdisciplinary workflows, and insight into federal cultural resource stewardship.

Hosting Organization

FWS Northeast Regional Office (R5)

Location 

Hadley, MA

Schedule 

September 7, 2026 - April 16, 2027

*Note to applicants - this position will likely be extended to 9/3/27 (to total 52 weeks), however this will not be known until January 2027. Please keep this in mind when applying for the position and your future availability dates. If selected for an interview, additional information will be shared with you at that time.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

In support of geospatial integration, the member will help link object records to archaeological site data, support updates to relevant GIS layers, contribute to crosswalks between museum and spatial datasets, and archaeological survey datasets; The member will digitize and systematically organize legacy documentation—including photos, slides, and correspondence—while upholding required records management practices; The member will create and improve MCMS object records by preparing accurate descriptions, provenance details, condition notes, and location information while applying consistent controlled vocabularies and metadata standards; The member will create, attach, and organize digital assets such as photographs and scans, ensuring proper version control and secure storage; All work involving culturally sensitive materials will be conducted under supervision and in full accordance with federal requirements and agency policy, including protocols related to NAGPRA documentation and confidentiality.

Marginal Duties 

Assistance with CR-related training for the USFWS; The member may present or support presentations on curation-related briefs to USFWS leadership; The member may work with other Region 5 CR staff members on Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act if they possess the capacity and necessary skills.

Required Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree in history, anthropology, geographic information systems, or a related field with experience working with federal collections or datasets.

• Coursework or experience in Archaeology, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Cultural Resource Management, or related fields. • Foundational GIS skills (ArcGIS Pro/Online; field data collection tools like Field Maps or Collector).

• Strong attention to detail; ability to follow data standards, naming conventions, and chain-of-custody procedures. 

• Clear written communication and documentation practices; basic photo/scan handling.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ability to prioritize work products based on due dates

• Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision

• Willingness and comfort to communicate via email, video conference calls, and phone calls with supervisor, as needed

• Skilled in reviewing and quality controlling their own work products prior to submitting them to supervisor for review

• Comfortable accepting edits to work products in order to create a more refined deliverable

• Open to learning new things, asking questions, and developing themselves professionally

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

General Physical Requirements

Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies. 

Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program. 

Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear. Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others. 

Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time. 

Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others. 

Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions. 

Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.

• If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.

Working Conditions

Work settings require the ability to positively interact with people of varying perspectives.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing in not provided.

Compensation  

Living Allowance - $650/week; Housing Allowance - $800/month; Relocation Travel Grant - $650

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

Health Insurance

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Salary : $800