Historian (Temporary)

National Park Service; Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 56,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Park Service in Sitka, Alaska, is seeking a Historian (Temporary) for Sitka National Historical Park. This excepted service appointment is temporary with potential extension up to two years based on funding and needs, and it does not confer competitive status.

The position focuses on historical research, writing, and public education within the park’s Interpretation program. You will collaborate with Cultural Resources, conduct on-site studies and fieldwork, and produce scholarly

Responsibilities

• Research, write, and educate about historical resources of the park.
• Write letters and responses to inquiries using park resources and sources.
• Collect, analyze, and report on cultural resource conditions and impacts of management actions.
• Draft complex report sections and work plans with limited supervision.

Job description

Open: September 2, 2026 — Closes: September 9, 2026

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.

Major 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.