Archeologist (Seasonal)
Job Location:
Gettysburg, PA - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Archeologists at these grade levels performs developmental professional archeological work involving research field investigations resource inventories data collection and analysis and documentation to support the identification preservation and management of cultural resources.
The season for Gettysburg National Military Park is March - September but can be variable during these months due to weather conditions project needs or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: March - July 2027.
Some of the Archeologist Standard Duties include but are not limited to:
- Participate in archeological surveys investigations inventories and monitoring activities to identify document and assess cultural resources.
- Collect organize and maintain archeological field data site records photographs maps and other information using established procedures and computer applications.
- Conduct background research review historical and archeological records and assist with the identification and documentation of archeological sites and cultural materials.
- Prepare field notes data summaries maps tables and portions of technical reports or other documentation supporting archeological research and resource management.
- Carry out assigned portions of conventional archeological investigations and resource management projects monitor resource conditions identify potential problems and assist in developing work plans or recommendations for preservation and mitigation activities.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males must meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement.
- Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
- Occupancy of government quarters may be required.
- Government housing may be available but is not guaranteed.
- 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 complete training and operate a four-wheel drive vehicle.
- You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid drivers license will be required in such cases.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.
- You may be required to complete training obtain and maintain a government credit card with travel and purchase authority.
- You 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 the closing date of this announcement-10/26/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience your 2 page 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 must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the Resume under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating the event you submit more than one resume only the latest submission will be reviewed.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
In order to qualify for these positions you must meet the Basic Requirements in A B or C below:
A. BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT
(A1) Successful completion a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas:
- History of archeology
- Archeology of a major geographic area such as North America or Africa
- Regional Archeology archeological cultures or sites in a specific part of a major geographical area to acquire or develop a foundation for regional specialization for professional development
- Theory and methods of archeology. Methods include but are not limited to typology classification sampling cultural evolution diffusion dating and analytical techniques
- Archeological field school to provide a basic understanding of theoretical and practical approaches to research design implementation field preservation techniques and report preparation by participation in actual field work.
6 semester hours of related course work in: a) geography geology or cultural geography; b) history; historiography or historical archeology; c) environmental studies; d) scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or e) surveying.
AND
Archeological field school.
--OR--
(A2) Successful completion a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree in a related curriculum: Anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology physical anthropology or scientific linguistics); history; American studies or a related discipline provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in A1 including archeological field school.
--OR--
B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
A combination of college-level education or training that provides the knowledge equivalent to that described above plus appropriate technical experience or additional education.
--OR--
C. EXPERIENCE:
At least 4 years of archeological work experience that demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional archeology. The work experience must have included archeology field experience which may include that gained in an archeological field school. Field experience should have included a combination of professional experience in archeology survey excavation laboratory analysis and preparation of written materials. Applicants with such field experience should after additional experience under the direction of a higher graded archeologist be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief directing the work of others at a single location as part of a larger archeological project.
Those who meet any of the above Basic Requirements is fully qualified for the GS-05 Archeologist position.
To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level you must possess one of the following:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal experience is experience applying basic professional archeological principles and methods to support archeological research field investigations resource inventories or cultural resource management activities. This experience includes: (1) gathering and documenting archeological information; (2) conducting background research; (3) assisting with field surveys or investigations; (4) organizing and summarizing data; and (5) preparing field records maps or portions of technical reports using established procedures.
-OR-
B. Possess one full year of graduate-level study (18 semester hours or equivalent) that directly applies to the work of the position in a field such as archeology anthropology history classics paleontology American history or similar . The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
-OR-
C. Equivalent combination of experience and education that together equal 100% of the qualification standards listed above when combined.
Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sectors. The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook is available for review at: OPM Qualification Standards.
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.
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 the interpretation of foreign education programs and that (1) deemed your education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or (2) given full credit for 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 salary range on this vacancy does not grant an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
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 1039 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 316.402b7) 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 temporary appointment combined total of 1039 hours during that period you are still welcome to apply. However please be aware that exceeding the limit of 1039 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 1039 hours. The limit also can be exceeded by working a single temporary seasonal appointment that exceeds 1039 hours unless granted an exception by OPM.
*This position may be filled under a temporary seasonal appointment not-to-exceed 1560 hours rather than 1039 hours depending on the park and program*
Employment may be terminated at any time due to fluctuations in funding levels project needs employee performance or other considerations.
PHYSICAL EFFORT: This position may require strenuous physical activity including periods of standing walking climbing and lifting and carrying heavy objects. Some activities may occur in physically dangerous areas or settings. Documentary research and report writing work are sedentary which entails the ability to concentrate and write for long periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Assignments may be performed in potentially hazardous areas including steep slopes rocky terrain volcanoes caves fire lines arctic environments swamps deserts and forests. Flying in fixed-winged aircraft and helicopters is possible.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees their spouses and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim permit lease small tract entry or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here 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.
