Archeological Technician (Seasonal)
Job Location:
Coolidge, AZ - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
These positions may be filled for a seasonal period up to 1039 or 1560 hours but can vary due to weather conditions project needs or funding.
Anticipated Entry on Duty: October 2026.
Open to the first 200 applicants or until 07/24/2026 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.
For more park(s) information please visit find a park.
National Park Service is recruiting for Temporary seasonal positions not to exceed 1039 or 1560 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.
At the GS-5 level:
- Participates in basic archeological field surveys by walking over the landscape and searching for archeological features and artifacts.
- Participates in documentation of archeological sites.
- Conducts limited supervised excavation and testing of sites including the careful recovery of sample materials at some locations.
- Maintains related databases forms maps and files.
- Participates in preservation maintenance of pre-contact archeological structures at some locations.
- Processes artifacts and samples in the field and office.
- Conducts record searches and interviews and synthesizes information collected for scientific historical and interpretive values.
- Assists with preparation of reports documenting cultural resources projects.
- Retrieves and compiles data as required for resource management reports interpretive exhibits etc.
- Provides leadership to field crews by assigning tasks and monitoring the status of those assignments.
- Prepares artifacts and samples for specialized analysis to be sent to dating and other laboratories. Identifies labels and packages artifacts for curation.
- 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.
- Depending on location occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Depending on location government housing may be available.
- 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 and/or shift work.
- You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally.
- You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
- You may be required to complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- If selected for a position/location that requires search and rescue emergency response use of firearms or watercraft operation you will be required to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result prior to addition this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.
- You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties.
- Some position/locations may have a mixed work schedule based on the varying workload and your work schedule is subject to change from part-time to full-time to on-call as workload dictates.
- 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.
All qualifications must be met by 11:59 EST or when the applicant cut-off is reached (which may be sooner than 07/24/2026).
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:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: assisting archeologists or senior technicians in conducting cultural resource inventory surveys assisting professionals in archeological field surveys; assisting in archeological excavation projects or prehistoric architectural assessments; documenting findings or assisting in the data collection and recording.
-OR-EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree with related coursework (anthropology archeology or related fields).
-OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. For example 6 months of the specialized experience described (50% of the experience requirement) and three years (90 semester hours) of college study as defined above in an accredited educational institution (50% of the qualifying education requirement) Note: only education beyond the first 60 semester hours can be considered.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-6 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: conduct excavation and testing of sites including the careful recovery of sample materials (include completing standard feature and level forms screening soils to recover artifacts and performing flotation of soil samples. Conducts record searches and interviews and synthesizes information collected for scientific historical and interpretive values.
-OR-Successfully completed one full year of graduate level education (18 credits) directly related to the work of the position (i.e. archeology anthropology with courses in archeology etc.).
-OR-Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
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.
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. 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).
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.
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.
Click here for the OPM Salaries and Wages to calculate locality pay.
Some positions filled may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
The locations listed on the announcement anticipate filling vacancies. However not all grade levels may be filled at all locations. Eligibility and qualifications will be verified if there is a vacancy for the location and grade for which you applied.
Positions will be filled at one grade level and have no promotion potential.
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 or 1560 hours if the position falls under the Exception to the General Time Limits for Temporary Seasonal positions 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 316.402b7) 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 hours during that period you are still welcome to apply. However please be aware that exceeding the appointment limit 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 the appointment limit.
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels project needs employee performance or other considerations.
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.
The National Park Service has determined that most temporary positions are suitable for telework on a situational basis or during an emergency or natural disaster.
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.
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.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
