Clarification from the agency

This is a Merit Promotion announcement for Government employees and those who are eligible under the hiring paths listed. For further clarification please click here: https://www.bsee.gov/what-we-do/administrative-services/human-resources/eligibility

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Office of Environment, Social Sciences Unit located in Jefferson, LA, or Sterling, VA, or Camarillo, CA or in Anchorage, AK

At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Serves as an advisor and consultant to senior management decision-makers on archeological and cultural resource regulations, policy, and research. As such, maintains authoritative knowledge of relevant BOEM regulations, policy, and research and is knowledgeable about other relevant Federal, State, and local regulations, policy, and research; is a lead for applicable Bureau regulatory changes and associated documents; and sustains an advance knowledge of industrial operations that may impact archeological and cultural resources. Prepares briefs and presentations for management as warranted.
2. Leads formal and informal consultation efforts with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), tribes, and other stakeholders under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). As such coordinates internal and external communications, ensures stakeholders and tribal communities are provided up-to-date information on ongoing and planned Bureau activities that may affect them, and works to identify solutions to address potential impacts.
3. Reviews National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) documents, environmental and archeological documents, and Program and activity documents (e.g., Proposed Notices of Sale, Exploration Plans, Site Assessment Plans, and Geological and Geophysical Survey Permit Applications) for completeness, accuracy, and determining the archeological analysis and appropriate mitigation needed for compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and guidance.
4. Coordinates and prepares the archeological sections of major, complex environmental documents associated with Program activities; these include NEPA documents (environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental assessments (EA), consistency determinations (CD) under CZMA, and technical documents. As such, characterizes Program activities that may impact archeological and cultural resources. Additionally, participates in the NEPA scoping and planning process, identifies data gaps or missing information, prepares impact definitions, designs criteria for impact assessment methodologies, writes sections of the environmental documents, and ensures critical action dates are achieved.
5. Develops methods to perform environmental review for new Program activities or technologies, utilizes diverse information sources, and identifies information or policy needs. Investigates potential issues and solutions through study procurement or policy development recommendations and implementation. Devises recommendations to overcome issues that have not been dealt with before.
6. Identifies problems and data gaps which may be addressed as operational projects and research studies through the government procurement process. As such, develops study protocols to resolve these problems, recommends studies for funding approval, and accepts responsibility for the entire procurement cycle. As appropriate, serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Project Officer (PO), or Contract Inspector (CI). Reviews study reports for technical accuracy and consistency.

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

This position is included in a bargaining unit. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3457, is the exclusive representative of all employees in this bargaining unit.

Salary Information:

Jefferson, LA: GS-13: Step 1: $98,496 - Step 10: $128,043 per annum
Sterling, VA: GS-13: Step 1: $112,105 - Step 10: $145,617 per annum
Camarillo, CA: GS-13: Step 1: $114,044 - Step 10: $148,255 per annum
Ankorage, AK: GS-13: Step 1: $111,026 - Step 10: $144,331 per annum

First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND (2) Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

(1) Basic Educational Requirements:
In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, applicants must meet the Education

Requirements described below:

SUBMISSION OF TRANSCRIPTS IS REQUIRED.

A. Degree: that included 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 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.

2. 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

B. 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.

OR

C. 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..

(2) Specialized Experience
To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1. Applying the theories, practices, standards, and methodologies of the field of underwater archaeology.

2. Working with and applying cultural resource management laws, regulations, practices, and techniques such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

3. Consulting and coordinating with other Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, and/or stakeholders to effectively facilitate inter-agency and inter-governmental coordination and appropriately manage cultural resources.

4. Effectively communicating technical information, in written and verbal formats, to management and external stakeholders with varying technical backgrounds.

5. Developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing cultural resources-related projects and resources. Must meet all.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.

Strategic Thinking: Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy. Examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective. Determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities.

Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Technical Competence: Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise (for example, engineering, physical science, law, or accounting); maintains credibility with others on technical matters.

DUE WEIGHT
Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12238577