Museum Services Member - Natchez National Historical Park

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking a Museum Services Member to assist Natchez National Historical Park staff in caring for and preserving the museum collection.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: August 19, 2024

Estimated End Date: November 8, 2024

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location: Natchez National Historical Park - Natchez, MS

Discover the history of all the peoples of Natchez, Mississippi, from European settlement, African enslavement, the American cotton economy, to the Civil Rights struggle on the lower Mississippi River.

For more information about the park, please visit the NPS website.

Having a personal vehicle is highly recommended for commuting and to access groceries and other needs on days off. Driving a government vehicle between park sites will be required during the workday.

Position Overview: The Museum Services Member will work under the direction of the park's Curator with the museum collection. This consists of a variety of objects including 19th century decorative arts, tools, architectural fragments, photos and archival materials, etc. The ACE Member will assist curatorial staff with the care, maintenance, and preservation of the museum collection located in modern and historic buildings. Duties will include:

• Housekeeping in furnished rooms and storage areas including inventory
• Preparing manual and computerized curatorial records
• Collecting and processing environmental monitoring and integrated pest management data
• Upgrading museum collections storage materials

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Full-time position Monday to Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and service hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the ACE member and not provided by ACE or the NPS. The member will be reimbursed up to $1,000/month to help offset the cost of housing.

Relocation/Professional Development: ACE members will have access to up to $500 to be used for eligible relocation or professional development expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include working with museum catalog records, curatorial housekeeping, environmental monitoring, etc.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Remove all if PLC is not covered in the agreement; Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org.

Qualifications

Required:

• Interest in museum studies, history, art history, decorative arts and antique furnishings, and/or material culture
• Experience in using a variety of computer software
• Ability to present oral and written information in a clear and concise manner
• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Experience working in a museum or archives would be helpful but not necessary

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, and reaching with hands and arms. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mostly office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. A small portion of work may take place outside or in non-climate controlled facilities, such as outbuildings, basement, or attic.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position on our website at usaconservation dot org. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE NPS Member Manager, Samira Rosario Martinez, at srosario-martinez at usaconservation dot org.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.