Historian

Duties

• Conducts historical research, writes, and edits Civil Works historical studies, annual reports, and publications; documents findings using primary and secondary sources, physical evidence, and oral interviews.
• Leads major historical investigations on USACE Civil Works programs, including dam and levee safety; develops project plans, estimates, schedules, and coordinates reviews and project personnel.
• Directs the USACE oral history program; plans, budgets, conducts, and manages interviews; oversees contractor support; and advises headquarters and field activities on oral history practices.
• Provides authoritative historical reference support to USACE, government agencies, media, and the public; identifies, collects, and preserves digital Civil Works historical records and supports data governance.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative, monitoring contractor performance and deliverables for quality, timeliness, compliance, customer satisfaction, and adherence to USACE requirements.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• Current Civilian Employees of the Command
• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is .

Basic Requirement for a Historian:

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: Courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service which includes: 1) conducting complex historical research involving government programs, engineering, or infrastructure; 2) analyzing historical evidence to develop accurate reports, studies, and publications; 3) leading historical research projects through the development of project plans and research objectives; 4) directing oral history programs through the development of acquisition plans and collection strategies; and 5) advising leadership on historical matters through the interpretation of historical evidence and professional analysis. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the basic requirement and the experience --no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the information sheet.
• This is a Historians, Archivists, & Museum Professionals Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.