OPS UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGIST - 45945807

Requisition No: 869327 

Agency: Department of State

Working Title: OPS UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGIST - 45945807

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 45945807 

Salary:  $20.00 hourly 

Posting Closing Date: 02/26/2026 

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Department of State

OPS Underwater Archaeologist

Division of Historical Resources

Archaeological Research

Open Competitive

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of direct work experience in anthropology, archaeology or a closely related field. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the listed fields can substitute for the years of experience required.
• Successfully completed a Scientific Diving Certification course (AAUS or equivalent)
• Successfully completed an underwater archaeology field school
• Knowledge of pertinent state and federal cultural resource legislation

Preferences:

• Six (6) years of experience in anthropology, archaeology, maritime studies or a closely related field. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the listed fields can substitute for the years of experience.
• Boat experience that includes launching, trailering, and operating vessels
• Experience conducting submerged cultural resource surveys
• Experience with underwater geophysical survey software (SonarWiz or Hypack)
• GIS experience
• Vessel/equipment maintenance and repair (including: outboard motors, trailers, 12-volt wiring, fiberglass repair, airlift, dredge, remote sensing equipment)
• Knowledge of the types and distribution of Florida’s submerged pre-contact and historic archaeological sites

Special Note:

Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported in your employment history.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Bureau of Archaeological Research is responsible for the stewardship of archaeological resources on Florida’s sovereignty submerged lands. The Underwater Archaeology Program is responsible for the management of Florida’s submerged archaeological sites spanning over 14,000 years of human activity. The Underwater Archaeology Program maintains an independent scientific diving program, research vessel fleet, and active research projects throughout the state. A successful applicant will assist with underwater fieldwork, program duties, research, and educational outreach events while participating in the daily operations of the program.

• Participates in submerged cultural resource surveys (phase I, II, and III)
• Assists with processing geophysical data
• Participates in documenting dugout canoes across the state
• Participates in the maintenance and upkeep of research vessels
• Assists with Underwater Archaeology Program volunteers & interns
• Participates in public lectures and outreach events
• Assists with general Underwater Archaeology Program duties and daily operations
• Other duties as required

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Ability to travel
• Ability to work underwater on SCUBA
• Ability to spend long days on open boats in a variety of weather conditions
• Strong computer literacy focused on the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe, ESRI, and SonarWiz/Hypack/Qimera

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS:

A Level 2 criminal background check is a condition of employment.  If selected for this position, you must provide your fingerprints.  We will send your fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal background check.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

We are committed to enhancing our workforce through the employment of Veterans, individuals with disabilities and seek qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, abilities, skills, and talents to join our workforce.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: https://www.sss.gov

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.