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Archeological Technician

Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Pacific West Region (Interior Regions 8,9,10 and 12)-Multiple Parks
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The typical seasonal entry-on-duty period for Whiskey National Recreational Area is January-July and for Joshua Tree National Park it is November-May but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding.

Open until the applicant limit of 125 is reached which may be sooner than on 08/12/2024. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/30/2024 to 08/12/2024
This job will close when we have received 125 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$22.05 to - $30.54 per hour
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 7
Locations
Twentynine Palms, CA
2 vacancies
Whiskeytown, CA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Not to Exceed 1039 Hours
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
PWR-1548-SR-24-12484284-DE
Control number
802046600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The Pacific West Region is recruiting for TEMPORARY seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 hours work in a service year. Dates of employment will vary between park sites depending on funding, weather conditions and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending on work availability and funding.

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Duties

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Multiple positions in multiple duty locations will be filled through this announcement:
Joshua Tree National Park Twentynine Palms, California--Archeological Technician GS 05, salary information
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position MAY be suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval. Occasional travel may include up to four nights a month. Hiring incentives May be considered.

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. For area information visit: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/getinvolved/workwithus.htm.

Whiskey National Recreational Area Whiskeytown, California--Archeological Technician GS 07, salary information
The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Whiskeytown Lake's crystal-clear water is perhaps the most recognized feature of the park. However, water-based recreation is only a part of what the 42,000-acre Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has to offer. Visit waterfalls, hike through rugged mountains, explore California Gold Rush history, and observe post-fire ecology in action. Visit Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Major Duties:

The duties and responsibilities at the GS-05/07 grade level include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts.
  • Records data and prepares survey records.
  • Conducts excavation and testing of archeological sites, including the careful recovery of sample materials.
  • Uses tools and equipment common to archeological functions.
  • Processes artifacts and specimens recovered in the field.
  • Prepares specimens to be sent to dating labs.
  • Identifies, labels, and packages artifacts for curation.
  • Communicates information and maintains working relationships.
  • Writes or edits documents.
  • Enters, retrieves, and compiles data.
  • Maintains archeological information databases.
  • Produces documents and reports using software applications.
  • Queries data when writing reports.
In addition to the above, GS 07 duties:
  • Conducts work independently.
  • Oversees others, providing direction and guidance on work activities.
  • Communicates supervisor's direction to field crews.
  • Communicates effectively and orients volunteers and/or employees to job tasks and National Park Service (NPS) guidelines.
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.

Requirements

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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.
  • You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility.
  • Applicants 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.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by 11:59 PM (EST) when the applicant limit is reached which may be sooner than the closing date of this announcement-08/12/2024.

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-5 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: participating in archeological field surveys; searching for archeological features and artifacts and recording survey results through field forms, site maps, and photographs; conducting supervised excavation of archeological sites; carrying out preliminary laboratory analysis; and entering data into computerized systems. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-


EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a four-year course of study at an accredited educational institution above high school leading to a bachelor's degree in anthropology, archeology, or related fields. You must include a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.

-OR-


Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. Only the semester units that past the first 60 semester hours are qualifying towards this requirement. To combine education and experience, take the number of semester hours completed in excess of the first 60 semester hours, convert them to a percentage of the full requirement. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include a copy of your transcripts at the time of application and a resume with hours/week worked.

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

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: conducting archeological surveys using compass, topographical map, and GPS; documenting archeological sites using standard site record forms; planning and preparation of archeological surveys and site excavations; carrying out excavations; preparing field notes and sketch maps; monitoring of ground-disturbing activities; recovering, identifying, and cataloging artifacts; occasionally leading small crews in the field; ensuring archeology work assignments are carried out in a safe, timely manner according to established standards and procedures; contributing to technical summary reports regarding assigned projects; and querying, entering, and retrieving data from computer databases and GIS. You must include hours per week worked.

-OR-


EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full academic year (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours) of graduate education at an accredited college or university in archeology, anthropology or directly related course work. You must include a copy of your transcripts at the time of application.

-OR-


Successful completion of a COMBINATION of directly related graduate education and experience as described above. To combine education and experience, first take the amount of completed graduate level education and convert it to a percentage of the full requirement. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12 months. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. You must include a copy of your transcripts at the time of application and resume with hours/week worked.

ICTAP/CTAP Statement: Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special prior­ity selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level on all competencies.

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 information

For additional information about this position, contact:
Glendee Ane Osborne, Cultural Resource Program Manager
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
glendeeane_osborne@nps.gov

Sheri Shiflett, Division Chief Science and Research Stewardship
Joshua Tree National Park
sheri_shiflett@nps.gov

A 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.

For Joshua Tree National Park: A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the National Park Service from another component, bureau, or Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR §575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

For Joshua Tree National Park: A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee must move, as directed by the National Park Service (NPS) either through a management directed reassignment or selection for employment, to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record held at time of selection is currently located, due to a need of the NPS. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.

Government Housing is NOT available.

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the additional assessments required for this position. A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of two categories:

  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
  • History and Archaeology
  • Database Administration
  • Research
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing
  • Leadership (GS 07 ONLY)

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