Museum Services Member - Natchez National Historical Park

Museum Services Member - Natchez National Historical Park

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is seeking 1 Member  to contribute to the curatorial museum program alongside Natchez National Historical Park staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: August 10, 2026
Estimated End Date: October 31, 2026
*a 12 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: 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. 

Position Overview:

Natchez National Historical Park tells the story of Natchez in the American South. The park is composed of five NPS owned properties: Forks of the Road, Fort Rosalie, Melrose, the William Johnson House, the Natchez Visitor Center, and a larger area known as the preservation district.  The Museum Technician Intern will work under the direction of the park’s Curator with the museum collection. The museum collection consists of a wide 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. The ACE member will accomplish many needed tasks contributing to the preservation of the museum collection. Duties will include:

● Museum housekeeping in period furnished room exhibits, museum storage, and other exhibit areas

● Preparing manual and computerized curatorial records including  conducting inventories and container lists

● Collecting and processing environmental monitoring and integrated pest management data relevant to the museum collection

● Upgrading museum storage materials and relocating museum objects

● Photography of museum objects and cultural resources

● Other tasks related to the museum collection

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.

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: 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 $700/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or Natchez National Historical Park. 

Relocation Allowance:ACE members will have access to up to $750 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Training Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $750 to be used for eligible training and 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 hands-on learning working with park staff, webinars, seminars, reading, etc.

Qualifications 

Required:

• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks 

• 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 website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as museum studies, public history, historic preservation, archival science, object conservation, history or art and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as museum work, decorative arts, material culture, preservation, art history, archives,  cultural resources, etc. 

• Knowledge of museum operations, house museums,  and 19th century decorative arts and antiques

• Ability and willingness to learn and safely practice NPS cultural resources methods.

• Deep interest in 19th century historic house interiors  and museum work.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for careful handling of fragile antique items, use of various tools including vacuum cleaners, dusters, etc., computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, climb ladders, and/or crouch,and lift and carry museum objects and boxes. 

• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 

• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.

• Environmental:  Mainly indoor, office or exhibit environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. A portion of work may take place outside or in non-climate controlled facilities, such as outbuildings, basement, or attic.

• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 

• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

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 ACE’s online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Program Manager, Andrew Garcia. 

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.