Seasonal Archeological Technician

Summary These temporary positions are located in the Pacific West Region. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement. Final application disposition will be completed once all positions have been filled or the announcement reaches the end of the open period stated in the announcement. The first cut-off date is 11:59 pm (EST), December 30, 2025. Please see the "Next Steps" section for additional cut off dates Duties 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 sites depending on funding, weather conditions, and visitation. Within regulatory limitations, the length of initial appointment may be shortened or extended depending upon work availability and funding. Multiple Duty Locations: Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Kailua Kona, HI - 1 GS-7 position. Government housing is not available. A uniform is not required. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake, OR- 1 GS-7 position. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Great Basin National Park: Baker, NV - 2 GS-5 positions. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. Lassen Volcanic National Park: Mineral, CA- 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Lava Beds National Monument: Tulelake, CA- 2 GS-5 positions and 1 GS-7 position. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. Lewis and Clark National Historical Park: Astoria, OR - 1 GS-7 position. Government housing is not available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Manzanar National Historic Site: Independence, CA- 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing is not available. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. Mount Rainier National Park : Longmire, WA- 2 GS-5 positions and 3 GS-7 positions. Government housing is available. Travel may be required for up to 2 nights per month. A uniform is required. Overtime may be required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. Nez Perce National Historical Park: Spalding, ID- 1 GS-7 position. Government housing is not available. Travel may be required for up to 2 nights per month. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. North Cascades National Park : Marblemount, WA- 2 GS-5 positions, 2 GS-6 positions, and 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing may be available. Travel may be required for up to 8 nights per month. A uniform is not required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. Olympic National Park : Port Angeles, WA - 2 GS-5 positions, 2 GS-6 positions, and 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing may be available. Travel may be required for up to 8 nights per month. A uniform is required. Overtime may be required. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks : Sequoia National Park, CA - 4 GS-5 positions, 2 GS-6 positions, and 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Travel may be required for up to 8 nights per month. Anticipated EOD-May, 2026. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument : Las Vegas, NV- 2 GS-5 positions. Government housing may be available. A uniform is required. Overtime may be required. Anticipated EOD-March, 2026. Yosemite National Park : El Portal, CA- 2 GS-5 positions, 2 GS-6 positions, and 2 GS-7 positions. Government housing may be available. Travel may be required for up to 8 nights per month. A uniform is required. Anticipated EOD-April, 2026. The Major Duties and responsibilities at the GS-05 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. Identifies, labels, and packages artifacts for curation. Communicates information and maintains working relationships. In addition, at the GS-06 and GS-07 grade levels: 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, at the GS-07 grade level: Conducts work independently. Oversees others, providing direction and guidance on work activities. Communicates supervisor's direction to field crews. 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. NOTE: Hiking across rough, mountainous terrain while carrying a pack is a routine part of this position. Working Conditions: The work is performed both in an office setting and in the field. Survey and excavation work is typically performed in isolated areas; you must therefore be familiar with outdoor safety and survival skills and must be able to operate a vehicle on rough roads. Sustained period of camping under primitive conditions are routine. Requirements 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 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, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), 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 prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to 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 discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license. 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 on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, & overtime. You may be required to travel overnight away from home and obtain a government charge card for travel purposes. Varies by location. See details in Duties section. 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. Outdoor survival and safety skills and the ability to operate a 4 wheel drive vehicle on rugged roads are required. (Ala Kahakai NHT &Tule Springs Fossil Beds) Qualifications All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-01/27/2026-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: 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 transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above. Only the semester units past the first 60 semester hours are qualifying towards this requirement. To combine education and experience, take the number of semester hours completed after the first 60 units, 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. You must include transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-06 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-05 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, & GPS; documenting archeological sites on standard site record forms; assisting in planning and preparation of archeological surveys and site excavations; assisting in excavations; preparing field notes and sketch maps; recovering, identifying, and cataloging artifacts; ensuring archeology work assignments are carried out in a safe, timely manner according to established standards and procedures; and query, input and retrieve data from computer database system. You must include hours per week worked. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least one full academic year of graduate education at an accredited college or university in archeology or anthropology course work. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of 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 transcripts. 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 of graduate education at an accredited college or university in archeology or anthropology course work. You must include transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a COMBINATION of 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 transcripts. 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. CTAP/ICTAP 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. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(2) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP/ICTAP eligible. If you are selected for Federal employment, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Federal Employment, OF-306, prior to being appointed to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. Failing to answer all questions truthfully and completely or providing false statements on your application may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. Code, Title 18, section 1001). 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. Poor air quality afflicts Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, especially during summer months - generally May to October. High ozone levels may be the most harmful pollutant here. In summer months, concentrations often exceed the federal ozone health standards. For more information: http://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/airqualityinfo.htm. Additional information Park contacts: Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: [email protected] Crater Lake National Park: [email protected] Great Basin National Park: [email protected] Lassen Volcanic National Park: [email protected] Lava Beds National Monument: [email protected] Lewis and Clark National Historical Park: [email protected] Manzanar National Historic Site: [email protected] Mount Rainier National Park: [email protected] Nez Perce National Historical Park: [email protected] North Cascades National Park: [email protected] Olympic National Park: [email protected] Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: [email protected] Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument: [email protected] Yosemite National Park: [email protected] 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. 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. 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. 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 (Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and Lassen Volcanic National Park only). The National Park Service has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. (All other locations). Travel, transportation & relocation expenses will not be paid. Relocation expenses will be the employee's responsibility. 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. Benefits 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 benefits Eligibility 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.