Archeologist (Program Manager)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Aliso Viejo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, DC or Aliso Viejo, CA, seeks a senior archeologist to lead reviews, conduct field surveys, and ensure compliance with historic-preservation laws.

The role emphasizes coordination with Tribes, SHPOs, federal agencies, and project teams to protect resources while supporting project delivery. You must have an archaeology degree with field school and four years of relevant experience, including fieldwork, survey, and written analyses.

Qualifications

• Four years of archeological work experience including field experience.
• Experience with survey, excavation, lab analysis, and written materials.
• Resume must show how you meet the specialized experience and education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead reviews of construction and real-property projects affecting archaeological resources.
• Conduct site assessments, field surveys, and contractor-supported studies.
• Apply historic-preservation laws and prepare analyses and guidance.
• Coordinate consultation with Tribes, SHPOs, federal agencies, and stakeholders.
• Advise leaders and teams on resource protection and emergency considerations.

Education

Archaeology degree with required courses

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Enterprise Services (ES), Office of Facilities and Asset Management OFAM), Integrated Services (IS) Division, Energy and Environmental Program Management Office (EE PMO). There is (1) vacancy that may be filled in one of the following locations:

• Washington, DC
• Aliso Viejo, CA

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement.

Basic Requirements:

A. Education

1. Degree that included 3 semester hours each in the following course areas:

• History of archeology.
• Archeology of a major geographical area such as North America or Africa.
• Regional archeology, archeological cultures, or sites in a specific part or portion 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.

AND

Six semester hours of related course work in:

• geography, geology, or cultural geography;
• history, historiography, or historical archeology;
• environmental studies;
• scientific writing (nonfiction English composition); and/or
• surveying;

AND

• Archeological field school.

2. Related Curriculum:

degree in anthropology (with emphasis on ethnology, physical anthropology, or scientific linguistics), history, American studies, or a related discipline may be accepted as satisfying in full the educational requirements, provided the curriculum supplied academic course work sufficiently similar to the requirements in A.1 (including archeological field school).

OR

B. Combination of Education and Experience

College-level education or training that provided knowledge equivalent to that described in A above, plus appropriate technical experience or additional education.

OR

C. Experience

Four 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 archeological survey, excavation, laboratory analysis, and preparation of written materials. Applicants with such field experience should, after additional experience under the direction of a higher grade archeologist, be able to demonstrate the ability to be a crew chief, directing the work of others at a single location as a part of a larger archeological project.

Along with the basic requirement listed above you must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience described below to qualify based on experience.

Experience:

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Leading reviews of complex construction, real-property, and operational projects with potential effects on archaeological resources and historic properties, identifying compliance risks and recommending measures that protect resources while supporting project delivery.
• Conducting and overseeing archaeological research, site assessments, field surveys, and contractor-supported studies, analyzing results to support historic-property significance determinations and resource-treatment decisions.
• Applying historic-preservation laws, regulations, and organizational requirements to project actions, preparing technical analyses, consultation materials, program reports, and internal guidance that support consistent compliance.
• Coordinating consultation with Tribal governments, State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, federal agencies, and other stakeholders, addressing concerns and supporting resolution of sensitive cultural-resource matters.
• Advising and training leaders, project teams, and field personnel on resource protection, artifact stewardship, unanticipated discoveries, and preservation-related emergency considerations, improving organizational readiness and informed decision-making.

NOTE:

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the 'Required Documents' section below for additional resume requirements.

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.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/29/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers.

Residency:

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period:

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.