Archeologist

National Park Service • Mesa Verde National Park, CO

5d

About The Position

The Archeologist serves with the National Park Service at Mesa Verde National Park. This is a career-seasonal, permanent appointment with work for approximately 10 months, from March through December, followed by a non-pay status for the remainder of the year. Career-seasonal appointments provide the same benefits as career appointments.

Under the guidance of the supervisory archeologist, the position plans and conducts National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 compliance, including cultural resource inventories, research, evaluation of resources for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility, recommendations to avoid or minimize adverse effects, database entry, and compliance monitoring. The archeologist prepares professional-quality documentation and technical reports meeting the standards of the Secretary of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office. Work includes archival and background research, developing historic contexts, documenting sites on Colorado SHPO forms, creating maps and spatial data with ArcGIS Pro, and preparing clear, technically accurate reports.

The position maintains archeological records, geospatial data, site files, GIS databases, digital records, and cultural resource information systems, including the NPS CRIS database. It assists the supervisory archeologist with reviewing proposed park projects and planning documents for potential cultural resource impacts and providing technical recommendations. It also maintains compliance records in the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) system, tracks compliance milestones, supports administrative records and Section 106 consultation and environmental review, including Tribal consultation, and provides day-to-day direction and oversight to seasonal archeological technicians on compliance projects.

Requirements

• Meet the GS-0193 basic requirement through qualifying archeology education, a related curriculum, an appropriate combination of education or training and technical experience, or four years of archeological work experience demonstrating knowledge of professional archeology principles and theories.
• For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 conducting archeological site inventories and completing site records, preparing survey and excavation reports, understanding federal historic preservation laws, and using GPS and GIS to record archeological sites and features; or qualify through the specified graduate education or education-and-experience combination.
• Submit transcripts when using education to qualify; claimed education must be supported by acceptable transcripts.
• Include hours worked per week in the resume or provide the specified federal employment documentation where applicable.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if a current federal employee.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Pass a background investigation and receive favorable adjudication; successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in Direct Deposit.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• Wear a uniform and comply with uniform standards.
• Complete required training and obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority; obtain a government charge card for travel.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds.
• May be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period; continued employment after the period requires written certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct NHPA Section 106 compliance, including cultural resource inventories, research, resource eligibility evaluations, recommendations to avoid or minimize adverse effects, database entry, and monitoring compliance projects.
• Conduct archival and background research and develop historic contexts.
• Document archeological sites using appropriate Colorado SHPO forms and evaluate their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.
• Prepare professional-quality archeological documentation and technical reports that meet the standards of the Secretary of the Interior, the National Park Service, and the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office.
• Prepare maps and spatial data using ArcGIS Pro and produce clear, technically accurate reports.
• Maintain archeological records, geospatial data, site files, GIS databases, digital records, and cultural resource information systems, including entering data in NPS CRIS.
• Assist the supervisory archeologist in reviewing proposed park projects and planning documents for cultural resource impacts and recommend ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects.
• Maintain cultural resource compliance documentation in PEPC, including project records, compliance milestones, and administrative records.
• Support Section 106 consultation and environmental review processes, including Tribal consultation.
• Provide day-to-day direction and oversight to seasonal archeological technicians working on compliance projects and ensure their data, documents, maps, and reports meet applicable standards.

Benefits

• Career-seasonal appointments provide the same benefits as career appointments.
• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package; eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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