Archeologist (Seasonal) @ National Park Service

Job Summary

Archeologists at these grade levels performs developmental professional archeological work involving research, field investigations, resource inventories, data collection and analysis, and documentation to support the identification, preservation, and management of cultural resources. The season for Gettysburg National Military Park is March - September, but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027.

Qualifications

• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
• Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience.
• To receive credit for experience, your 2 page resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time).
• If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.
• Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
• You may only submit one resume.
• Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes.
• In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• In order to qualify for these positions, you must meet the Basic Requirements in A, B, or C below: A. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT (A1) Successful completion a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas: History of archeology, Archeology of a major geographic area such as North America or Africa, Regional Archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development, Theory and methods of archeology.
• Methods include, but are not limited to, typology, classification, sampling, cultural evolution, diffusion, dating, and analytical techniques, Archeological field school, to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation, field preservation techniques, and report preparation by participation in actual field work.

AND 6 semester hours of related course work in:

• a) geography, geology, or cultural geography;
• b) history; historiography, or historical archeology;
• c) environmental studies;
• d) scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or
• e) surveying.

AND Archeological field school. --OR-- (A2) Successful completion a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a related curriculum: Anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology, physical anthropology, or scientific linguistics); history; American studies, or a related discipline provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in A1, including archeological field school. --OR-- B.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A combination of college-level education or training that provides the knowledge equivalent to that described above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education. --OR-- C. EXPERIENCE: At least 4 years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology.
• The work experience must have included archeology field experience, which may include that gained in an archeological field school.
• Field experience should have included a combination of professional experience in archeology survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials.
• Applicants with such field experience should, after additional experience under the direction of a higher graded archeologist, be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief, directing the work of others at a single location as part of a larger archeological project.
• Those who meet any of the above Basic Requirements is fully qualified for the GS-05 Archeologist position.
• To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess one of the following: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service.
• Specialized experience is experience applying basic professional archeological principles and methods to support archeological research, field investigations, resource inventories, or cultural resource management activities.

This experience includes

• (1) gathering and documenting archeological information;
• (2) conducting background research;
• (3) assisting with field surveys or investigations;
• (4) organizing and summarizing data; and
• (5) preparing field records, maps, or portions of technical reports using established procedures. -OR- B. Possess one full year of graduate-level study (18 semester hours or equivalent) that directly applies to the work of the position in a field such as archeology, anthropology, history, classics, paleontology, American history or similar . The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. -OR- C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that, together, equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors.

• The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.

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 experience.

Major Duties

• Some of the Archeologist Standard Duties include but are not limited to: Participate in archeological surveys, investigations, inventories, and monitoring activities to identify, document, and assess cultural resources. Collect, organize, and maintain archeological field data, site records, photographs, maps, and other information using established procedures and computer applications. Conduct background research, review historical and archeological records, and assist with the identification and documentation of archeological sites and cultural materials. Prepare field notes, data summaries, maps, tables, and portions of technical reports or other documentation supporting archeological research and resource management. Additional duties for GS-07: Carry out assigned portions of conventional archeological investigations and resource management projects, monitor resource conditions, identify potential problems, and assist in developing work plans or recommendations for preservation and mitigation activities.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
• Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
• Use find a park to contact specific parks for more information on government housing.
• You may be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and/or shift work.
• You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license will be required in such cases.
• You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
• You may be required to complete training, obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.

You 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.