Museum Property Intern

Are you passionate about history, cultural resources, archaeology, paleontology, museums, and/or preservation? The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, is seeking a Museum Property Intern to assist with museum property management planning and inventory in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas.

The successful candidate will have coursework in anthropology/archaeology, museum studies, paleontology, and/or history and an interest in learning about Federal cultural and paleontological resource laws and regulations. The successful candidate will have the ability to travel within Region 2 and be able work independently in an office setting and with Regional and Field Station staff in variable storage locations and conditions. Strong written and oral communication, organizational, and database management skills are highly desired.

Working within the Division of Visitor Services and Cultural Resources, the Museum Property Intern will work closely with Regional Archaeologists and the National Curator to focus on finalizing the Regional Scope of Collections Statement, Museum Property Accessioning Protocols, and associated Inventory and Collections Assessment forms. With finalized protocols and forms, the Intern will then be responsible for traveling to Refuges to identify, inventory, and record museum property within Visitor Centers and Field Station Offices and make recommendations for collections needing to be rehoused for display or moved for curation in order to meet USFWS Museum Property policy. Visits to associated repositories of the Southwest Region may also be completed. While some of this work can be completed remotely, travel will be required to conduct inventories within Region 2; therefore, the Intern must possess a valid driver’s license to drive a personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed) or a federal vehicle (if located in Albuquerque, New Mexico). The Refuges to be visited can be selected based on the location and interest area of the selected Intern within Region 2 (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas). While this position is dedicated to museum property management, there are numerous opportunities for cross-training across the National Wildlife Refuge System depending on the interests of the selected intern. Desired start of position is May 16, 2024, 40 hours per week, for up to 640 hours (16 weeks). The position may be extended for up to 960 hours if funding allows.