What are the responsibilities and job description for the Archeological Technician (Seasonal) position at National Park Service?
Summary
This position is located in a National Park Service organization. The purpose of the position is to perform uncomplicated technical archeological tasks.
Technician work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional field; work may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional field but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved.
Help
Duties
Major Duties:
Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts. Records data and prepares survey records (e.g., site maps, photographs, surface artifact analysis forms, field notes, etc.) Conducts limited supervised excavation and testing of sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials. Duties include completing standard feature and level forms, screening soils to recover artifacts and performing flotation of soil samples. Processes specimens recovered in the field. Prepares specimens to be sent to dating laboratories. Identifies, labels, and packages artifacts for curation. Maintains field equipment and supplies. Maintains related databases, forms, maps, and files. Performs data entry related to archeological artifact and project data (e.g., artifact information, catalog records, field notes, site records, etc.) into automated systems, appropriate forms, and archival records. Retrieves and compiles data as required for resource management reports, interpretive exhibits, etc.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/12/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, duties associated with performing uncomplicated technical archeological tasks under direct technical supervision of an archeological specialist; applies technical methods and procedures to perform routine archeological testing and monitoring tasks; knowledge of prehistoric and historic cultures of the Northeastern US; ability to utilize standard laboratory methods to prepare artifacts for testing, curation, and storage; ability and skill in using basic tools and equipment common to archeological functions; ability to conduct testing of sites through shovel excavations and screen materials for artifacts; ability to communicate information clearly and effectively; ability to conduct basic historical research; ability to utilize a computer to write brief technical reports summarizing findings of field work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successfully completed a four-year course of study in an accredited educational institution above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, or related fields; You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experienc.
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, stooping, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.
Working Conditions: The work is performed both in an office setting and in the field. Survey and excavation work is typically performed in isolated areas; the incumbent must therefore be familiar with outdoor safety and survival skills and must be able to operate a vehicle on rough roads. Sustained periods of camping under primitive conditions are routine.
Read more
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.
This position is located in a National Park Service organization. The purpose of the position is to perform uncomplicated technical archeological tasks.
Technician work is typically associated with and supportive of a professional field; work may involve substantial elements of the work of the professional field but requires less than full knowledge of the field involved.
Help
Duties
Major Duties:
Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts. Records data and prepares survey records (e.g., site maps, photographs, surface artifact analysis forms, field notes, etc.) Conducts limited supervised excavation and testing of sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials. Duties include completing standard feature and level forms, screening soils to recover artifacts and performing flotation of soil samples. Processes specimens recovered in the field. Prepares specimens to be sent to dating laboratories. Identifies, labels, and packages artifacts for curation. Maintains field equipment and supplies. Maintains related databases, forms, maps, and files. Performs data entry related to archeological artifact and project data (e.g., artifact information, catalog records, field notes, site records, etc.) into automated systems, appropriate forms, and archival records. Retrieves and compiles data as required for resource management reports, interpretive exhibits, etc.
Help
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
- Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- Time-in-Grade: Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service); with few exceptions as outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement who have had a break in service of less than one year, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointments.
- Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
- Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
- Probationary Period: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
- Government Charge Card: You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-05/12/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.
For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one or all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
EXPERIENCE: Possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, duties associated with performing uncomplicated technical archeological tasks under direct technical supervision of an archeological specialist; applies technical methods and procedures to perform routine archeological testing and monitoring tasks; knowledge of prehistoric and historic cultures of the Northeastern US; ability to utilize standard laboratory methods to prepare artifacts for testing, curation, and storage; ability and skill in using basic tools and equipment common to archeological functions; ability to conduct testing of sites through shovel excavations and screen materials for artifacts; ability to communicate information clearly and effectively; ability to conduct basic historical research; ability to utilize a computer to write brief technical reports summarizing findings of field work. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successfully completed a four-year course of study in an accredited educational institution above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in anthropology, archaeology, or related fields; You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include transcripts.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experienc.
Education
To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
Additional information
A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Physical Demands: The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, stooping, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.
Working Conditions: The work is performed both in an office setting and in the field. Survey and excavation work is typically performed in isolated areas; the incumbent must therefore be familiar with outdoor safety and survival skills and must be able to operate a vehicle on rough roads. Sustained periods of camping under primitive conditions are routine.
Read more
- Help 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.
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.
