Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Archeologist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

You too can make a difference in our world. The work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is meaningful and varied. Want to know more about what it is like to work for us? Click here to watch short podcasts entitled Meet Your New Boss and Diversity is our Strength.

This position serves as an Archeologist at the Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex), based in Burbank, Washington. You will work at a variety of sites located in Washington and Oregon, including Hanford Reach National Monument, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), McNary NWR, Umatilla NWR, Cold Springs NWR, McKay Creek NWR, Toppenish NWR, and Conboy Lake NWR. For more information about the Complex, please visit our website at: http://www.fws.gov/mcriver/.

Salary Range: GS-11, Step 01: $60,210 - Step 10: $78,270

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under R1-18-10066507-BP-DE is open to all qualified individuals. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/20/2017 to 11/03/2017
Salary
$60,210 to - $78,270 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Burbank, WA
1 vacancy
Travel Required
75% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
R1-18-10066679-BP-MP
Control number
482529800

This job is open to

Help

Duties

Help

As an Archeologist, you will be responsible for:

  • Conducts archeological surveys, inventories, site identification, and evaluations using standard archeological techniques, for compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Prepares reports, letters, and agreements.
  • Coordinates cultural resource clearance surveys and applies cultural and heritage resource management practices to determine eligibility of historical properties for the National Register of Historic Places. Writes management plans related to cultural resources.
  • Coordinates and works with local Native American Tribes on cultural resource issues and NHPA compliance. Meets with tribal staff, and other parties, on sometimes complex issues, and develops working relationships which enhance cultural resource management on the Complex.
  • For cultural and historical resources, makes determinations of effect and provides alternatives, including supporting data, rationale, policy, and legal compliance.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Time-in-Grade requirements apply to status candidates
  • Transcripts required with application (see How to Apply)
  • Must wear official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uniform
  • Valid state?s driver?s license

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS
Direct deposit of salary payment.
Must apply for Government travel charge card if expected to travel on official business.

Only experience and education obtained by 11/03/2017 will be considered.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: ALL applicants must meet one of the following basic requirements:

A. Education - bachelor's degree (or higher) that included 3 semester hours or the equivalent in EACH of 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)

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.

(OR)

B. Related Curriculum - 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 A.1 (including archeological field school).

(OR)

C. Combination of Education and Experience - College-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in A above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education, that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year college level course of study.

(OR)

D. Experience - Four 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.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11:

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for GS-11, applicants must also meet one of the following:

A. At least one year of specialized professional archeology experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal service, or comparable non-federal experience. Specialized Experience is defined as experience: planning and carrying out archeological surveys and inventories to evaluate compliance with National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA); assessing the effect of actions on historic, cultural, and archeological resources in compliance with section 106 of the NHPA; developing mitigation strategies to resolve adverse effects to historic/cultural properties; developing data and documentation of National Register of Historic Places eligibility criteria.

(OR)

B. Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a PhD or equivalent graduate degree, in archeology, anthropology, or other closely related field.

(OR)

C. An equivalent combination of graduate education and specialized experience as described above, that when calculated as a percentage of each requirement and added together, equals at least 100%. Only graduate education beyond the second year is creditable to meet this standard.

Note: 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

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s) and grade point average or class ranking. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of 11/03/2017.

Relocation expenses will be paid; relocation contract for home sale will not be paid.

Work Environment: Work assignments will be carried out in a wide variety of environmental conditions including wetlands, uplands, deserts, forests and marshes. Walking in mud and water and deep sand will be encountered. Hiking steep and rocky terrain in a wilderness setting is occasionally required. Standing, walking long distances, stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, and climbing are involved. Prolonged office work may be necessary. Frequently using computer screens can cause eyestrain. Safety apparel and equipment will be used as needed and required.

DRIVER'S LICENSE: You must possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times
during your tenure.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application:
  • Select the words "Alternate Application" and click the link icon.
  • Leave the Protocol as http://
  • Insert the following text in the URL field: help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of archeological methods and techniques.
  • Knowledge of legal, regulatory and compliance requirements for managing cultural resources for land management agencies.
  • Knowledge of Native American tribal culture and communication.
  • Knowledge in applying processes of section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
  • Ability to communicate in writing.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

Career Transition Assistance (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.