Historian (Temporary)

Summary

You will serve as a Historian (Temporary) Sitka National Historical Park. This is an excepted service appointment, that remains in the excepted service indefinitely. These positions do not confer competitive status. This is a temporary position expected to last one year but may be extended up to a maximum of two years based on agency needs and potential funding.

Duties

These positions provide Historian support to the park by researching, writing, and educating about historical resources of the park. The position will work under the Park's Interpretation program, but also in collaboration with Cultural Resources. Some of the major duties you will perform include but are not limited to the following: Expand knowledge through independent study, developmental assignments, literature review, on-site studies, and fieldwork. Participate more substantively in archaeological field studies, geological mapping, consult with Native organizations, and broader historical reporting. Write letters and responses to inquiries using developed knowledge of park resources, policy, prior research, and available sources. Provide full historical education and visitor interaction, delivering content independently. Collect, analyze, and report on cultural resource conditions, including measuring impacts of management actions (restoration, visitor dispersal, development). Draft more complex report sections, work plans, and implementation strategies, and complete small historian actions independently. Investigate undocumented cultural/historic sites to a level enabling identification, protection, or interpretation. Assist in coordinating visiting professional work with increased responsibility and less supervision. Apply standard historian practices with judgment, selecting methods, approaches, and sources. Exercise greater judgment when guidelines require interpretation or selection among alternatives.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. Direct Deposit participation required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment. .You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. 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. You must be at least 18 years of age or older to operate government vehicles.

Qualifications and evaluation

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents, responses to the questions in the assessment). If your application package does not clearly reflect having lived / worked within the area of consideration, does not clearly reflect special knowledge of the natural and/or cultural resources of the park or preserve, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'. Resumes 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 purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

Education

There is no substitution of education for the required special knowledge or expertise concerning the park's or preserve's natural and/or cultural resources and the management thereof as outlined in this announcement.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. There are multiple options for applying to this position, please see application options and instructions below: To apply online: You must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the 09/09/2026 - unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement to receive consideration. You must provide documentation to support your eligibility claim. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050797 Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status, visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. To apply via mail: Mailed applications must be postmarked by the closing date of the announcement. If your application is postmarked by the closing date, it must be received in a sealed envelope no later than seven calendar days after the closing date. The seven-day waiting period may be extended if weather delays mail delivery.

Required documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/09/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement: Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates in month-year format, and indicate hours worked per week (or full-time). Your resume must clearly show how long you have held each grade/rank. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression. Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications. Your 2-page resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements. If you have federal experience, you should include series, and grade for each position held, and if experience is part of a career ladder position, you must clearly distinguish the job duties and length of time working for each grade level. More information on how to write a Federal Resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include Complete all required assessments. Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. Veterans must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.va.gov/records/ or call 1-800-827-1000. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active-duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from all documents. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Additional information

Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. 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. 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, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions. The duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster. Physical Demands: The work is at times sedentary, documentary research and report writing work is sedentary and entails the ability to concentrate and writhe for long periods of time. The work is also at times not sedentary, which will include standing and walking and interfacing with visitors to discuss historical topics. Work Environment: Work is performed in offices, archives, libraries the park visitor center, and historical buildings. Alaska currently does not have a state income tax. Government housing may be available. All travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selectee.