Hiring Event

The US Forest Service is excited to hold a hiring event in conjunction with the 2023 Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meeting & Conference to recruit and hire students and graduates in range management, soil science, watershed hydrology, geology, engineering, and archaeology. Participation will be virtual and on-site (Boise, Idaho) from February 12-16, 2023. The group announcements for these positions will be open on USAJOBS February 15-27, 2023, and will extend after the conference dates. https://www.usajobs.gov/ Applicants do not need to be at the conference to apply.

 

NOTE: This is an announcement with multiple duty stations across California to select from. It’s well known that some duty stations are much more competitive than others. As such, please consider applying far and wide to improve your chances of being selected. This broad and expansive hiring event is meant to bolster the US Forest Service workforce of fulltime archaeologists, and it is a great opportunity for those early in their career to get a foot in the door with the federal government and the employee benefits that come with a permanent federal job. About the Agency | US Forest Service (usda.gov)

 

The US Forest Services plans to offer the following opportunity:

Archeologist – Full Time – Permanent

 GS Series: 0193

 Entry Grade: GS-07

($22.37 per hour) $44,740

 Full Performance Level: GS-09

($27.37-$35.58 per hour) $54,727-$71,146

 Position Description: FS3260

 

Further information regarding the GS pay scale can be found at this link.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2022/general-schedule

 

Position Description – Master Record Number:  FS3260

Title/Pay Plan/Series/Grade: Archeologist, GS-0193-07 (Full Performance at the GS-0193-09 level

FLSA Code: Non-Exempt   

Telework: Yes

                                                                                                                 

INTRODUCTION

This position functions as an advanced trainee on a Forest Service unit. As an advanced trainee, the incumbent performs productive work and receives advanced training for a higher-level archeologist position.

 

MAJOR DUTIES

• As an advanced trainee, performs duties of limited scope and complexity in all aspects of archeology activities. Combines productive work with learning a variety of advanced skills, techniques, and procedures in order to increase ability to perform in higher level work and to assist employees at higher grade levels. Assignments are typically screened to eliminate difficult or unusual problems.
• Receives formal and on-the-job training in more advanced skills, techniques and procedures by performing a variety of productive archeology work. Assignments may include some or all of the following:
• Conducts routine field reconnaissance searches in areas planned for such activities as timber harvesting, wildlife habitat improvement, road construction, and recreational development.
• Reports findings and prepares recommendations to be incorporated in environmental analysis reports concerning possible effects that proposed resource management activities may have on existing archeological remains.
• In conducting field searches, identifies and marks archeological sites, prepares site location maps, records findings, photographs artifact findings, and prepares sites sketches as necessary.
• Searches for and examines historical records as well as the findings of other archeological experts relative to the history, social structure, and living conditions of past cultures which inhabited the area.
• Working with higher-grade archeologists, conducts field investigations as part of a Forest-wide classification and protection program to be incorporated in long-range resource management plans.

 

FACTOR STATEMENTS

Factor 1. Knowledge Required by the Position

• Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of archeology, including reconnaissance, evaluation, and basic field survey procedures to conduct reconnaissance and surveys.
• Knowledge of the various cultures and ethnic groups who inhabited the region in past periods to evaluate archeological findings and conduct surveys.
• Working knowledge of Forest Service directives and policies pertaining to the protection of cultural and historical sites consistent with other resource uses in the area involved to perform archeological work that meets these policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of interpersonal relations skills and principles to serve as a member of teams performing archeological work.
• Knowledge of communication techniques to exchange information and present findings and recommendations.

 

Factor 2. Supervisory Controls

• The supervisor provides initial instruction and guidance for the execution of assigned projects.
• The incumbent exercises initiative to search for and gather information, analyze data, and conduct assigned field searches. The supervisor or other archeologist of higher grade is available if questions arise and may review the judgment aspects of the work through discussions at various stages of completion.
• Completed work is presented in draft form and is reviewed in detail for adherence to instructions; completeness; thoroughness of research and accuracy in citation; soundness of judgment and selectivity in the treatment of findings; adequacy and appropriateness of presentation; and evidence of understanding of the requirements, concepts, and techniques of archeological research.

 

Factor 3. Guidelines

• Guidelines include agency manuals and pertinent laws and regulations. Guidelines are detailed and usually are directly applicable to the assigned work.
• The incumbent exercises some judgment in locating and selecting appropriate archeological boundaries for inquiries, making deviations to adapt the guidelines to specific cases. Situations where existing guidelines are inadequate or proposed deviations are significant are referred to the supervisor.

 

Factor 4. Complexity

• Assignments are narrow in scope and typically are limited to clearly defined topics and boundaries for the studies.
• In a developmental capacity, the incumbent must become progressively proficient in recognizing the significance of archeological findings, evaluating the potential conflicts that other resource uses may have on those findings, and recommending protective measures for their preservation.
• As a rule, the relationships between the facts developed are self-evident, although, depending upon the purposes of the study, the incumbent exercises judgment in determining the relative importance of the facts developed, and selectivity in choosing the key boundaries for the studies.

 

Factor 5. Scope and Effect

• The purpose of the work is to provide developmental work experience for the advanced trainee and to assist in the Forest-wide inventory and protection of cultural resources.
• The effect is the preservation of artifacts and historical sites important to the history and cultural heritage of the area involved.

 

Factor 6. Personal Contacts

Contacts are with higher-grade archeologists at the Forest and Regional level, archeologists from area colleges and universities, and other unit employees.

 

Factor 7. Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are for obtaining advice and guidance, researching historical and cultural information, and presenting findings and recommendations to higher-grade archeologists and resource managers.

 

Factor 8. Physical Demands

Field investigation involves considerable walking over rough and rocky surfaces, some bending and stretching; average physical dexterity and ability are required.

 

Factor 9. Work Environment

Field work is performed in all weather conditions, occasionally in mountainous terrain.