Summer Internship (Curatorial Aide)

Summary The AOC is accepting applications for Curatorial Aide summer internships, that offer skill enrichment and experiential learning while promoting careers in public service.  The summer internship program is a unique opportunity to gain real world experience within the federal government and throughout the historic campus of the U.S. Capitol. Duties Curatorial Aide This is a great opportunity to gain professional experience supporting the research and creation of exhibits that present the history of Congress and the Capitol to the public.  Under the direction of curatorial staff, the Aide supports a variety of general curatorial and museum registrar activities. This includes conducting research for museum exhibits, supporting research requests, conducting inventory, cataloguing objects by entering and updating records into the collections database system, and assisting with the installation of yearly art exhibits. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be able to pass a drug test. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs. You must meet the requirements for the summer internship. To be eligible, you must be a current student who meets the following requirements: Applications will be accepted from college students who are at least sixteen (16) years of age by June 30, 2026, AND currently attending college or university. Note: Participation in the Summer Intern Employment Program is limited to a total of three years. Candidates are eligible to participate no more than three years, collectively or consecutively, in the Summer Intern Employment Program. Candidates who have reached the three years in the program will be deemed ineligible to participate this calendar year. Qualifications All students must be U.S. Citizens. Students must be at least sixteen (16) years of age by June 30, 2026, and currently attending a college or university. Students must have a major in art history, art, museum studies, historic preservation, or other field related to art and art curation. Note: Participation in the Summer Intern Employment Program is limited to a total of three years. Candidates are eligible to participate no more than three years, collectively or consecutively, in the Summer Intern Employment Program. Candidates who have reached the three years in the program will be deemed ineligible to participate this calendar year. Education To be eligible, you must be a current student who meets the following requirements: Applications will be accepted from college students who are at least sixteen (16) years of age by June 30, 2026, AND currently attending college or university. Students must have a major in art history, art, museum studies, historic preservation, or other field related to art and art curation. Additional information Applicants must be a United States Citizen. This is an Excepted Service Position in the Architect of the Capitol, a Legislative Branch agency of the Federal government. The position does not require or confer civil service Competitive Status. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. This position is NOT in the Bargaining Unit. DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test. Background Investigation - The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. Federal Law requires DHS to use the E-VERIFY system to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires, and obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system as a condition of continued employment. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, and/or disability. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol. All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol. 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 A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Students will not receive benefits such as paid leave, retirement, or health benefits.  Students may register for the Transit Subsidy benefit that is offered by the agency. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.