Seasonal Archeological Technician

Summary

These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty:

March-July 2026

For more park(s) information, please visit find a park.Duties Help At the GS-5 level:

• Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts.
• Participates in documentation of archeological sites.
• Conducts limited supervised excavation and testing of sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials at some locations.
• Maintains related databases, forms, maps, and files.
• Participates in preservation maintenance of pre-contact archeological structures at some locations.
  

At the GS-6 level, in addition to the GS-5 duties:

• Processes artifacts and samples in the field and office.
• Conducts record searches and interviews, and synthesizes information collected for scientific, historical, and interpretive values.
• Assists with preparation of reports documenting cultural resources projects.
  

At the GS-7 level, in addition to the GS-5 and 6 duties:

• Retrieves and compiles data as required for resource management reports, interpretive exhibits, etc.
• Provides leadership to field crews by assigning tasks and monitoring the status of those assignments.
• Prepares artifacts and samples for specialized analysis to be sent to dating and other laboratories. Identifies, labels and packages artifacts for curation.
  

Positions will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.

Requirements

Help Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Depending on location, government housing may be available.
• 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 evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid state-issued driver's license.
• The G-7 position at Glen Canyon requires the operation of watercraft. If selected, you must undergo and pass a drug test prior to appointment. Additionally, this position is subject to random drug testing for illegal substance use throughout your employment.
• Some position/locations may subject to change from part-time to full-time as workload dictates.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-12/16/2025-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your 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.

To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: assisting archeologists or senior technicians in conducting cultural resource inventory surveys, assisting professionals in archeological field surveys; assisting in archeological excavation projects or prehistoric architectural assessments; documenting findings or assisting in the data collection and recording.-OR-

EDUCATION:

Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with related coursework (anthropology, archeology, or related fields).-OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example 6 months of the specialized experience described (50% of the experience requirement), and three years (90 semester hours) of college study as defined above in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education requirement) Note: only education beyond the first 60 semester hours can be considered.

To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: work assisting archeologists or senior technicians in field archeological type work. Participating in basic archeological field surveys, assisting in basic excavations or assisting in more complex excavations; processing archeological samples, identifying and labeling artifacts for curation; or recovering artifacts in soils.-OR-Successfully completed one full year of graduate level education (18 credits) directly related to the work of the position (i.e. archeology, anthropology with courses in archeology, etc.).

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: conduct excavation and testing of sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials (include completing standard feature and level forms, screening soils to recover artifacts and performing flotation of soil samples. Conducts record searches and interviews, and synthesizes information collected for scientific, historical, and interpretive values.-OR-Successfully completed one full year of graduate level education (18 credits) directly related to the work of the position (i.e. archeology, anthropology with courses in archeology, etc.).

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.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 informationA 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.Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.This job opportunity announcement will be used to fill one or more additional selections at any time without notification.The locations listed on the announcement anticipate filling vacancies. However, not all grade levels may be filled at all locations. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified if there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.Positions will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.

Non-Competitive Rehire Eligibility:

Temporary seasonal employees can only maintain their non-competitive rehire eligibility if they work no more than a combined total of Temporary NTE less than 1040 hours anywhere in the National Park Service (NPS) within their established service year. Accordingly, non-competitive rehire eligibility allows for re-appointment to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements (5 CFR 316.402[b][7]), based on series and grade, anywhere in the major subdivision (NPS).If you have held a temporary seasonal appointment in the past 12 months and have already worked the maximum temporary appointment less than 1040 hours during that period, you are still welcome to apply. However, please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1040 hours in your established service year will result in the loss of your non-competitive rehire eligibility.The limit can be exceeded by working multiple temporary seasonal positions that result in a combined total greater than 1040 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1040 hours, unless granted an exception by OPM.

Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels, project needs, employee performance, or other considerations.

Physical Demands:

The work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required. Heavy items (e.g., packs up to 50 pounds) must be lifted and carried on a routine basis.

Work Environment:

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.The National Park Service has determined that most temporary positions are suitable for telework only on a situational basis or during an emergency or natural disaster.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. 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.Review our benefitsEligibility 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.