Archeologist

Bureau of Reclamation • Billings, MT

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Montana Area Office, Resource Management Division, Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region, in Billings, Montana. The role supports compliance with cultural resources and historic property laws and prepares environmental documents evaluating the effects of construction, operation, and maintenance of Reclamation projects. These include large rural water system projects built by tribal governments and rural water authorities in partnership with Reclamation, as well as projects under Reclamation’s Safety of Dams Program.

At the GS-11 full performance level, the Archeologist serves as the Montana Area Office’s primary functional specialist for National Historic Preservation Act compliance and related cultural resource and historic property documentation. The role identifies potential cultural resource impacts, collaborates with technical and operational staff to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts, and provides technical advice and liaison support to federal, tribal, state, and local partners. The position also prepares and reviews technical reports and advises staff and management on applicable cultural-resource laws and regulations.

Most work takes place in a modern office, with a small portion involving field surveys and inspections in isolated areas of Montana. Field conditions may include varied terrain, extreme temperatures, wind, dust, pollen, and potential encounters with wildlife. The position requires use of standard archaeological field equipment and operation of a four-wheel-drive vehicle on primitive roads. Overnight travel may be required for fieldwork, meetings, or training.

Requirements

• Meet the basic Archeologist qualification requirement through qualifying education, a combination of education and experience, or four years of archeological work experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology.
• For the education pathway, meet specified coursework requirements in archaeology and related subjects, including archaeological field school, or qualify through an accepted related curriculum with sufficiently similar coursework.
• For the experience pathway to the basic requirement, have archaeological field experience involving a combination of survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials; experience should support the ability to direct others as a crew chief after additional work under a higher-grade archeologist.
• For GS-11, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, such as planning and conducting archaeological investigations, supporting historic preservation, conducting or overseeing cultural resource fieldwork, or performing field inspections, research, or assessments; alternatively, meet the stated graduate-education or education-and-experience combination provision.
• If using education to qualify, submit transcripts with the required identifying and academic information; official transcripts will be required before entry on duty if selected.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Pass a background investigation and favorable adjudication, and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Have and maintain a valid driver’s license throughout employment.
• Participate in Direct Deposit.
• Be registered for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Be at least 18 years old to operate government vehicles.
• Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Be able to use standard archaeological field equipment and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle on primitive roads.
• Meet the fieldwork demands, which may include considerable walking, climbing, stooping, and bending, and working in isolated areas with varied terrain and potentially extreme weather.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary functional specialist for National Historic Preservation Act compliance activities, including preparing cultural resource and historic property documents.
• Identify existing and potential cultural resource impacts associated with planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of Reclamation projects for the Montana Area Office.
• Collaborate with engineers, hydrologists, planners, facility managers, environmental specialists, natural resource specialists, and other professionals to identify, minimize, or mitigate adverse impacts to cultural resources or historic properties.
• Serve as the Montana Area Office’s cultural resource liaison to federal agencies, Indian tribes, and state and local entities, helping them understand the National Historic Preservation Act and Reclamation’s compliance responsibilities.
• Prepare special technical reports, including reports related to museums and historic properties, and provide technical assistance to government or contracting personnel preparing reports or permits.
• Review and interpret reports to ensure they meet Reclamation standards.
• Interpret and provide advice to Area Office staff and management on the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 CFR Part 800, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and other cultural resources legislation.
• Conduct archaeological survey work and field inspections in isolated areas as required.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; the employee and family may have access to a range of benefits.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to eligible and qualified candidates on a case-by-case basis; it is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior