Senior Archeologist (13604, Grade 28)

Salary: $73,523.00 - $132,614.00 Annually
Location : Wheaton, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 13604
Department: MC Parks
Division: Park Planning and Stewardship
Opening Date: 02/06/2025
Closing Date: 2/27/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Description

Are you an experienced professional archaeologist with a passion for stewardship and public outreach? If so, the Montgomery County Department of Parks is a perfect fit! We are currently seeking a Senior Archaeologist for our Cultural Resources Stewardship Section within the Park Planning & Stewardship Division. This is an opportunity to have a county-wide impact on the understanding and advocacy for archaeological resources, research, and protection, while sharing that knowledge with a wide range of communities in Montgomery County.

Montgomery Parks manages land that contains over 250 recorded archaeological sites that represent over 11,000 years of human presence within the county. These include indigenous rockshelters and quarries, historic farmsteads, stores, and mills, as well as landscapes associated with enslavement and the Civil War. The Senior Archaeologist will be responsible for managing these sites and archaeological research, inventory, and planning projects on Parkland, as well as implementing archaeological programs for the public. They will serve as a subject matter expert on regulatory compliance projects impacting archaeological resources on Parkland, manage the archaeology lab and artifact collections; and coordinate closely with historic preservation, museums, and history staff across the Commission to ensure interdisciplinary interpretation and advocacy of these critical resources. The Senior Archaeologist will organize public programs and events such as Parks signature annual Archaeology Day.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 421 parks and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. Reporting directly to the Cultural Resources Planning Supervisor, the Senior Archaeologist will lead the Montgomery County Department of Parks in ensuring Montgomery County's archaeological and historic resources are preserved through highcaliber research and projects. Go to our website to learn more: ;

DIVERSITY STATEMENT: Montgomery County Department of Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery County Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, ideology or status as a Veteran.

Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Examples of Important Duties

The Senior Archaeologist performs the following major duties in addition to the responsibilities listed above:

Archaeological Resources Stewardship and Regulatory Compliance within Montgomery Parks.

• Provide technical expertise for regulatory compliance based on knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines for Parks' archaeological resources as they relate to the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation, Maryland Historic Trust (MD SHPO), National Register for Historic Preservation, and National Environmental Policy Act, among others
• Conduct research, survey, and analysis to better understand and make recommendations related to the protection of archaeological resources on Parkland,
• Direct all levels of fieldwork necessary to identify and evaluate sites, prepare inventory forms, reports, and research summaries, as appropriate ? Supervise archaeology laboratory work and direct artifact processing for adherence to best practices; manage artifact collections housed at Needwood Mansion.
• Serve as lead archaeological advisor to Montgomery Parks planning and development review committees as required for cultural resources coordination and compliance.
• Summarize research and recommendations, prepare visual aids and supporting materials for presentations to the Montgomery County Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission, as needed

Archaeological Public Programming and Outreach.

• Develop and implement county-wide archaeological programs for the general public, including but not limited to, conducting classes and workshops, representing Parks archaeology at local public events, and holding archaeology camp
• Organize Montgomery Parks Annual Archaeology Day, a public event attended by hundreds of visitors
• Supervise part-time staff and volunteers as needed to run programs
• Respond to public inquiries about archaeological resources on Parkland from citizens, officials, external agency staff
• Coordinate with Parks historians, architectural historians, nature centers, museums, and Untold Stories staff to synthesize research into public interpretations of archaeological resources,
• Develop and share interpretations with the public through presentations, site tours, exhibits
• Manage Special Revenue budget for archaeological public programs
• Maintains relationships with external stakeholders and groups that can act as advisors for the interpretation and advocacy of Parks archaeological resources

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Ability to work independently and manage own projects and progress
• Strong track record as a project manager, with leadership, coordination, and workload management skills and ability to complete tasks effectively while managing others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to maintain collaborative relationships with other Parks staff and key stakeholders
• Proven ability to approach and interact with people of all backgrounds and the ability to think collaboratively with staff and public alike
• Ability to handle complex, culturally sensitive, and often controversial situations through strong interpersonal skills with a focus on problem-solving; Ability to work with highly confidential projects and data
• Significant knowledge of, and skill in the following areas: principles, current best practices in archaeological research techniques and analysis; County, State and Federal codes regarding below ground resources; Maryland history and pre-contact history, material culture, and significant cultures of the region; regulations and easements as they relate to archaeology and cultural resources stewardship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, History, or any related field.
• Experience with archaeological analysis and reporting
• Experience working with the general public and archaeological outreach programs
• Supervisory and volunteer management experience
• Experience managing archaeological collections
• Experience with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Adobe Suite, field mapping equipment

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Historical Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Architectural History, Architecture, Urban Planning or any related field.

Four (4) years of progressively responsible historical preservation, cultural resource management, archaeology or closely related experience.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.

Valid driver's license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee's ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Cultural Resources Planner III

Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available! Get to know Montgomery Parks and the opportunities available: ;

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2025 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES

The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.

Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.

Retirement Programs

• Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) - Plan E excludes FOP members.

PlanEmployee ContributionPlan C9.5%* of base salary (FOP members only)Plan E4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.

• Deferred Compensation ICMA-RC 457 plan (Optional)
• Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)

Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan - (15%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) - (20%)
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) - (20%)
• Prescription - CVS Caremark - (15%)
• Dental - Delta Dental PPO and DeltaCare USA HMO - (20%)
• Vision - EyeMed - (80% of Low Option plan paid by Commission. Any balance paid by employee.)
  • Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)

• Medical Account - Maximum annual contribution: $3,200
• Dependent Care Account - Maximum annual contribution: $5,000

Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)

• Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month

Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000

Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)

• Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
• Automatic coverage with opt-out provision

Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)

• Supplemental - 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
• Spouse/Dependent Combination - $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000

Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)

• Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
• Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
• Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member

Leave Programs

• Annual: 15 days per year
• Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
• Sick: 15 days per year
• Holidays: 11 days per year

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Legal Services Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Work-Life Program

For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission's Health and Benefits Office at or 301-454-1694.