Archeologist

Explore a new career with the BLM – where our people are our most precious resource.

We expect to many vacancies at this time; and additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

A 25% incentive is authorized if eligible (see additional information section).

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements – please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

This position has a Positive Education Requirement: There are multiple ways to satisfy the Education Requirement:

A degree that included three (3) semester hours each in the following course areas:

• History of archeology.
• Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa.
• Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion 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, six (6) semester hours of related course work in:

• geography, geology, or cultural geography;
• history, historiography, or historical archeology;
• environmental studies;
• scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or
• surveying;

AND, Archeological field school.

Related Curriculum: A related degree in anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology, physical anthropology, or scientific linguistics), history, American studies, or a related discipline may be accepted as satisfying in full the educational requirements, provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in #1 above (including archeological field school).

Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in #1 above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education.

Experience: Four (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 archeological survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials. Applicants with such field experience should, after additional experience under the direction of a higher grade archeologist, be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief, directing the work of others at a single location as a part of a larger archeological project.

At the GS-07 Level: Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have one (1) year of professional archeology experience equivalent to GS-05 in the Federal service. At this level work is entry level with close supervision. Examples of specialized experience include assist with routine archeological surveys to include surveying, site testing and excavation; entering inventory and/or site data into various geospatial databases; participation in cultural resource inventories; help prepare site location maps, photograph artifact findings, and prepare site sketches; make recommendations for archeological & historical resources that may be affected by surface disturbing activities on affected lands -OR- Education: Meet the basic requirement AND have completed one (1) full year of graduate education leading to a master’s degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position. I will provide a copy of my college transcripts -OR- Superior Academic Achievement: Meet the basic requirement AND meet the requirements for Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) See OPM Quals Standard-General Policies E(4)(f).-OR- Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and graduate education as described above.

At the GS-09 Level: Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have one (1) year of professional archeology experience equivalent to GS-07 in the Federal service. Assignments are more difficult and complex at this level. Work requires application of expanded professional knowledge. Examples of specialized experience include the surveying, compiling, and interpretation of archeological and historical data of a specific geographical area; participate in archeological survey and site evaluation work; prepare technical reports; make professional recommendations on archeological and historical resources affected by surface disturbances; use spatial data to assist with land use planning, decision making, and day to day management activities -OR- Education: Meet the basic requirement AND have completed two years of graduate level education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position -OR- Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and graduate education as described above.

At the GS-11 Level: Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have one (1) year of professional archeology experience equivalent to GS-09 in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include plan and carry out archeological research projects which center on a major historical theme and time period that includes authoring or the review of cultural resource sections of resource management plans; prepare or interpret a variety of technical documents such as archaeological evaluations, completion reports, management summaries, permits, publications or peer-reviewed journal articles; assist other professional archeologists in developing or enhancing archeological program components such as scientific reporting, records and database management, and cultural resource condition monitoring; develop mitigation strategies to resolve adverse effects to historic properties -OR- Education: Meet the basic requirement AND have completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position -OR- Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Meet the basic requirement AND have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and graduate education as described above.

Selective Placement Factors: This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. Those who do not provide evidence they possess the following selective factor(s) will be rated not qualified:

• Possess a current, valid state driver’s license.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.