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Historians

SOC 19-3093.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full practice context of professional historians working in academic institutions, government agencies, museums, archives, and heritage organizations, from supervised entry-level archival research through executive-level scholarly leadership and policy influence.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Archival sources such as court records, diaries, and periodicals — locate and retrieve under faculty or senior historian guidance in institutional repositories.
  2. Primary and secondary source materials — distinguish and categorize with direction from supervising researchers in an academic or government history program.
  3. Historical data gathered from archives and news files — organize into structured formats using document management software under established project protocols.
  4. Draft historical summaries and research notes — compose using word processing software following departmental style guidelines and editorial feedback.
  5. Geographic and chronological scope of a research assignment — identify and define with supervisor input before beginning archival fieldwork.
  6. Manuscript handling and preservation protocols — apply under supervision when processing fragile records or photographs in a special collections environment.
  7. Competing interpretations of historical events — recognize and document with guidance from senior colleagues during literature review phases.
  8. Research findings on a specific time period or region — present in structured written reports to seminar groups or project teams.
  9. Information retrieval and database search tools — employ to surface relevant historical records across digitized archives and library catalogs.
  10. Oral or written source materials — listen to and read attentively to extract historically significant details during supervised data-collection tasks.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Archival records, photographs, and periodicals — gather and cross-reference independently to build an evidentiary base for a defined historical research project.
  2. Authenticity and relative significance of historical data — analyze and interpret using established critical frameworks with limited peer review oversight.
  3. Historical manuscripts and artifacts — conserve and preserve by applying archival standards and materials in a museum, library, or records-management setting.
  4. Publications and public exhibits — prepare or review for historical accuracy, incorporating primary sources and current scholarly consensus.
  5. Research on a specific country, region, or time period — conduct and synthesize into coherent narratives suitable for professional or public audiences.
  6. Historical accounts framed around social, ethnic, political, or economic groupings — construct and present in written monographs or conference papers.
  7. Findings from historical research — organize and format for digital dissemination via institutional websites, databases, or storage media using desktop publishing tools.
  8. Complex historiographical problems — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to generate plausible interpretations within recognized scholarly conventions.
  9. Colleagues, archivists, and subject-matter stakeholders — coordinate with to gather contextual information and validate source interpretations during mid-scale research projects.
  10. Map creation and geographic information tools — use to situate historical research findings within spatial and regional analytical frameworks.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Multisource historical evidence from archives, court records, diaries, and digital repositories — gather, authenticate, and synthesize autonomously across complex, multi-year research projects.
  2. Authenticity, provenance, and interpretive weight of primary sources — evaluate independently, resolving ambiguities and contradictions through advanced critical analysis.
  3. Book-length publications, peer-reviewed articles, and major exhibits — author or substantively revise, ensuring historical accuracy and scholarly rigor for academic or public audiences.
  4. Historic places and materials — research and assess to provide expert guidance on identification, conservation, and reconstruction in heritage-preservation contexts.
  5. Historical accounts spanning social, ethnic, political, economic, and geographic dimensions — construct and present with nuanced interdisciplinary integration at national conferences or in flagship publications.
  6. Non-routine gaps in the historical record — address through creative triangulation of indirect evidence, oral histories, and comparative methodologies.
  7. Digital and print dissemination strategies — design and execute to maximize scholarly and public reach of historical research using web publishing and multimedia tools.
  8. Emerging debates in historiography — monitor, engage, and contribute to by producing original analyses that advance knowledge within the discipline.
  9. Graduate students, junior researchers, and public historians — mentor and instruct in research methodology, source criticism, and scholarly writing within university or institutional settings.
  10. Cross-disciplinary teams including archaeologists, archivists, and policy analysts — lead on projects requiring integrated historical expertise and coordinated judgment under ambiguous evidentiary conditions.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Institutional research agendas and long-range scholarly priorities — set and champion at the departmental, institutional, or national professional-association level.
  2. Major publication programs, exhibition series, and public history initiatives — direct and oversee, establishing standards of historical accuracy and interpretive excellence across large teams.
  3. Field-wide methodological frameworks for source authentication and historical analysis — develop and disseminate through landmark publications, keynote addresses, and discipline-shaping handbooks.
  4. National or international preservation and conservation policy — inform and influence by translating deep historical expertise into actionable recommendations for government agencies and heritage bodies.
  5. Doctoral candidates and early-career historians — cultivate through sustained mentorship, structured training programs, and sponsorship of professional development at career-defining junctures.
  6. Interdisciplinary and cross-sector research consortia — establish and lead, integrating historians, social scientists, technologists, and policymakers to address complex questions of collective memory and historical identity.
  7. Funding strategies for large-scale archival, digital humanities, and preservation projects — design and execute by securing grants from federal agencies, foundations, and international bodies.
  8. Scholarly discourse on contested or politically sensitive historical narratives — arbitrate and guide with authoritative judgment, shaping how institutions and publics understand significant events.
  9. Organizational cultures of inquiry, integrity, and intellectual openness — model and sustain across history departments, museums, or research institutes through leadership by example.
  10. Emerging technologies for historical research — evaluate and champion adoption of, including AI-assisted document analysis and advanced digital archiving platforms, across the profession.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted source discovery — uses AI tools to surface archival leads, digitized collections, and secondary literature for a given research topic, then verifies each source through standard historiographical vetting Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Basic transcription delegation — passes handwritten or degraded document images to an AI tool for initial transcription, then corrects errors against the original before incorporating the text into research notes Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Interpretive cross-referencing — directs an AI assistant to collate passages across multiple primary sources (court records, diaries, periodicals) and flag thematic patterns, retaining final judgment on historical significance Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Draft synthesis support — uses AI to generate first-draft summaries of well-documented historical episodes, then rewrites and contextualizes the output to meet scholarly standards of argumentation Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Metadata organization — delegates the sorting and tagging of large document sets to an AI tool, freeing researcher time for interpretive analysis while retaining control over classification schemes Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Authenticity evaluation workflow — integrates AI-generated textual analysis into a structured review pipeline for assessing provenance and dating of primary documents, applying critical thinking to override or confirm AI flags Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Publication accuracy review — runs draft manuscripts and exhibit scripts through an AI fact-checking pass to surface potential anachronisms or citation gaps, then adjudicates every flagged item against primary evidence Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  3. Archival gap mapping — instructs an AI tool to systematically identify silences and underrepresented perspectives in a corpus, then designs targeted archival visits to address those gaps WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  4. Time-intensive research acceleration — leverages AI collaboration across document-heavy tasks, capturing the majority of research time savings while keeping interpretive and narrative decisions firmly with the historian Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Multi-source triangulation orchestration — choreographs an AI agent through iterative queries across digitized newspaper archives, court records, and photographic metadata, then synthesizes the structured output into an original historical argument Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-assisted historic-site analysis — directs AI tools to process spatial, material, and documentary evidence in parallel for conservation and reconstruction assessments, authoring the final interpretive report and methodology Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Framework development for AI use in historical scholarship — designs discipline-specific protocols governing when AI-generated source summaries, translations, or pattern detections are admissible evidence, embedding critical-thinking safeguards at each stage Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 273
Augment share: 27.3%
Time saved: 83.3%
AI autonomy: 3.35
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Reading Comprehension
Score: 45.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Data Science and Analysis
data_science_and_analysis
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Archival findings summary — describes basic historical discoveries in written reports using standard academic formats for academic or institutional audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Source citation practice — applies foundational citation conventions when referencing archives, court records, and periodicals in research notes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Oral history basics — conveys preliminary research findings verbally to supervisors or peers using accessible historical terminology Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research narrative construction — organizes and drafts coherent historical accounts for publication, integrating primary and secondary sources with growing clarity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Public presentation delivery — explains historical findings to non-specialist audiences at community forums or institutional events with increasing confidence and structure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-disciplinary correspondence — communicates with archivists, curators, and subject-matter experts through written and verbal exchanges to clarify source authenticity and context O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Scholarly publication authorship — produces polished peer-reviewed articles and monographs that synthesize archival evidence into coherent historical arguments meeting disciplinary standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Exhibit content communication — writes and reviews interpretive text for museum exhibits and digital platforms, ensuring historical accuracy and audience accessibility O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Testimony and advisory communication — presents authoritative historical analyses to government bodies, legal proceedings, or heritage organizations through structured oral and written testimony Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-platform historical dissemination — leads the development of communication strategies across print, digital media, and public programming to broaden engagement with historical scholarship Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored scholarly writing — guides junior historians and graduate researchers through the process of transforming archival findings into publishable, audience-appropriate historical writing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-cultural historical narrative — crafts nuanced accounts of diverse social, ethnic, and political groups that communicate complex historical experiences to broad and varied audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership10 statements
Emerging
  1. Research project participation — takes initiative in self-directed archival research tasks within assigned projects, demonstrating emerging ownership of historical inquiry goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer support in research — assists colleagues in locating relevant primary sources and navigating archival systems during collaborative projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Research team coordination — organizes workflows and task distribution for small historical research teams working on shared archival or publication projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional advocacy — advances the case for resource allocation toward conservation of manuscripts and historical artifacts within departmental or organizational settings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Project leadership in historical research — directs multi-phase research initiatives involving archival investigation, analysis, and publication, ensuring milestones are met and standards upheld Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Curriculum and exhibit leadership — leads the development of historically grounded educational materials, exhibits, or digital resources for institutional or public audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Heritage preservation leadership — oversees research efforts that inform the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic sites and materials O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-wide intellectual leadership — shapes research agendas, editorial directions, and disciplinary standards through leadership in professional associations, journals, and major grant initiatives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Institutional history program direction — leads a history department, research center, or public history program, building team capacity and advancing long-term scholarly and preservation missions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Next-generation mentorship — develops emerging historians by providing substantive feedback, career guidance, and modeling rigorous research and ethical professional practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Research self-assessment — reflects on gaps in source coverage and revises research plans when initial archival searches yield incomplete historical evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — identifies which reading and note-taking approaches are most effective for synthesizing dense historical literature and primary documents Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interpretive bias monitoring — recognizes and documents potential biases in personal interpretation of historical sources and adjusts analytical frameworks accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Research planning refinement — evaluates the effectiveness of previous archival strategies and modifies investigative approaches based on evolving research questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Historiographical self-positioning — articulates how one's own theoretical perspectives and disciplinary training shape interpretive choices across sustained research projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive methodology reflection — systematically reviews methodological choices in completed studies and integrates lessons learned into the design of subsequent historical investigations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Field-level metacognitive leadership — contributes to disciplinary discourse about epistemological assumptions and research methods by publishing reflective scholarship on historiographical practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored reflective practice — guides doctoral students and junior researchers in developing self-monitoring habits that strengthen the rigor and self-awareness of their historical scholarship Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Source credibility evaluation — assesses the basic reliability and provenance of historical documents, photographs, and news files encountered during initial archival research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Assumption identification — identifies explicit assumptions embedded in secondary historical sources when reviewing literature related to a research topic Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Evidence triangulation — cross-references multiple primary sources including diaries, court records, and pamphlets to test the consistency and authenticity of historical claims Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Competing interpretation analysis — evaluates contrasting historiographical arguments about a time period or region, weighing the evidentiary basis of each interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Authenticity and significance judgment — organizes, analyzes, and interprets the authenticity and relative significance of large bodies of historical data to construct well-reasoned historical accounts O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Contextual critical synthesis — integrates political, economic, geographic, and social dimensions of historical evidence to produce nuanced, multi-causal explanations of historical events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Publication accuracy review — critically evaluates historical publications and exhibit content prepared by others, identifying factual errors, unsupported claims, and interpretive overreach O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Advanced historiographical critique — produces scholarly critiques of prevailing historical interpretations, identifying hidden assumptions, methodological weaknesses, and gaps in the existing literature Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary critical integration — applies critical thinking across history, sociology, anthropology, and geography to challenge mono-disciplinary explanations of complex historical phenomena Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Archival team participation — contributes assigned research tasks within a team gathering historical data from archives, libraries, and online repositories Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Peer review engagement — receives and responds constructively to feedback on draft historical writing within collaborative research or publication groups Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Cross-institutional research coordination — works with archivists, librarians, and curators across institutions to gather and authenticate primary source materials for shared research goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative exhibit development — contributes historical expertise to multidisciplinary teams designing museum exhibits or digital heritage projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-author scholarly collaboration — co-authors historical publications with peers from complementary disciplinary backgrounds, negotiating interpretive differences through evidence-based dialogue Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Heritage project partnership — collaborates with preservation specialists, archaeologists, and government agencies on research supporting the identification and conservation of historic places and artifacts O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community history co-creation — partners with community organizations, oral history informants, and local historians to co-produce historically accurate accounts of underrepresented groups Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interdisciplinary research leadership — builds and sustains collaborative research networks across history, anthropology, geography, and related disciplines to tackle complex historical problems Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. International scholarly partnership — forges research collaborations with historians from other countries to produce comparative historical studies that transcend national archival limitations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Source attribution integrity — consistently and accurately credits all primary and secondary sources in research notes and early draft writing Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Artifact handling responsibility — treats archival documents, manuscripts, and photographs with care and respect for preservation protocols during research activities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical representation practice — presents historical accounts of social, ethnic, and political groups with fairness, resisting anachronistic moral judgments or reductive characterizations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Confidentiality in sensitive records — handles restricted court records, personal diaries, and private documents in compliance with institutional and legal ethical standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Historical accountability in publication — ensures published and exhibited historical content meets standards of accuracy and integrity, retracting or correcting errors when evidence warrants Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional ethics modeling — upholds disciplinary codes of conduct around research transparency, peer review honesty, and acknowledgment of conflicting interpretations in all scholarly work Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Impartial historical inquiry — conducts research on contested or politically sensitive historical topics with intellectual honesty and freedom from ideological distortion Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics leadership in the discipline — contributes to the development and enforcement of professional ethical standards through participation in disciplinary organizations and peer review processes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Truth and reconciliation scholarship — produces historical work on difficult legacies of injustice with rigorous evidence, moral courage, and accountability to affected communities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Alternative source exploration — experiments with non-traditional archival sources such as visual records, material culture, or digital repositories to expand the evidentiary base of research Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interpretive framing exploration — considers multiple narrative frameworks for organizing preliminary historical findings before committing to a structural approach Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Innovative research methodology — adapts research methods from adjacent disciplines such as sociology or anthropology to develop fresh perspectives on historical questions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative public history formats — designs engaging historical programming, interactive exhibits, or multimedia presentations that make archival content accessible to diverse audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Original historical synthesis — constructs historically significant arguments that reframe existing interpretations by combining evidence from previously unconnected archival sources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Digital history innovation — develops new approaches for organizing and disseminating historical data through digital platforms, databases, or interactive media Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Narrative history craftsmanship — employs sophisticated storytelling techniques to present historical accounts of individuals and communities in ways that resonate beyond academic audiences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Paradigm-shifting scholarship — produces foundational historical works that introduce new conceptual frameworks, methodologies, or bodies of evidence that reshape disciplinary understanding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-genre historical communication — pioneers creative formats such as documentary film, graphic history, or immersive digital experiences to convey rigorous historical scholarship to mass audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Archival setback recovery — persists in historical research when initial archival searches yield incomplete or contradictory evidence, adjusting search strategies rather than abandoning inquiry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback incorporation — revises historical writing and research plans based on supervisor or peer critique, treating corrections as learning opportunities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Methodological skill expansion — proactively learns new research methodologies such as digital humanities tools, oral history techniques, or quantitative analysis to strengthen historical inquiry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Historiographical updating — regularly revises understanding of a research field by engaging with new scholarship, even when it challenges previously held interpretations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Challenging research embrace — willingly undertakes historically complex or politically sensitive research topics that require sustained intellectual effort and tolerance for ambiguity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary learning commitment — systematically develops competence in adjacent fields such as archival science, geography, or legal history to deepen the scope of historical analysis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Constructive peer review response — treats critical peer review of scholarly submissions as formative input, revising manuscripts substantially based on evidence-grounded critique Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Lifelong scholarly renewal — demonstrates sustained intellectual growth across a career by continuously revising research questions, adopting new methodological tools, and engaging with emerging historical debates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Growth culture cultivation — fosters a learning environment in research teams, classrooms, and professional settings where intellectual risk-taking, revision, and disciplinary curiosity are celebrated Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Archival focus management — maintains concentrated attention during extended sessions reviewing dense primary source documents to ensure accurate reading and note-taking Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness in sensitive history — recognizes personal emotional reactions when researching traumatic or disturbing historical events and maintains scholarly objectivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Deliberate interpretive pacing — intentionally slows the interpretive process when analyzing ambiguous historical evidence to avoid premature conclusions driven by cognitive shortcuts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Research environment intentionality — structures archival research sessions and writing time with purposeful attention management to sustain deep scholarly focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Reflective source engagement — approaches each primary source with fresh, unbiased attention, bracketing prior assumptions about a historical period or population before engaging new evidence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Presence in public history engagement — maintains full attentive presence when conducting oral history interviews or community consultations, actively listening without premature interpretation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Stress regulation in high-stakes deadlines — manages emotional pressure during grant cycles, publication deadlines, or public testimony preparation through intentional self-regulation practices Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Contemplative scholarly practice — models and teaches mindful engagement with historical evidence as a disciplinary virtue, integrating attentional awareness into research training and mentorship Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Conscious historical perspective-taking — brings sustained intentional awareness to the task of representing marginalized or silenced historical voices, guarding against interpretive projection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Research persistence through dead ends — continues historical investigation when archival sources are incomplete, destroyed, or inaccessible, seeking alternative evidentiary pathways Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Criticism tolerance — accepts critical feedback on historical interpretations without abandoning the research inquiry, using challenges as motivation to strengthen the evidentiary argument Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Long-term research endurance — sustains focused effort across multi-year historical research projects despite slow progress, funding uncertainty, or limited archival access Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Intellectual courage in contested history — pursues historically significant but professionally risky research on controversial topics, maintaining scholarly standards despite external pressures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Conservation adversity navigation — persists in conducting historical research for the conservation and reconstruction of historic places even when physical evidence is severely degraded or disputed O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Publication rejection resilience — resubmits revised scholarly work following peer rejection, treating the process as a necessary pathway to rigorous historical contribution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Fieldwork endurance — sustains productive research activity in demanding physical environments such as remote archives, excavation sites, or deteriorating records facilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Career-long scholarly perseverance — demonstrates decades of sustained commitment to advancing historical knowledge despite funding pressures, institutional change, and evolving disciplinary trends Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous truth-telling in public history — presents historically accurate but publicly uncomfortable findings to policy-makers, courts, or communities with unflinching commitment to the evidentiary record Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Architectural Historian · Art Historian · Collections Specialist · County Historian · Dance Historian · Dramatic Arts Historian · Field Court Researcher · Film Historian · Genealogist · Genealogist Researcher · Health Historian · Historian
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesInstructingJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringCoordination
Knowledge domains
History and ArcheologyEnglish LanguageSociology and AnthropologyGeographyAdministrativeEducation and TrainingCommunications and Media
Abilities
Written ComprehensionWritten ExpressionOral ComprehensionNear VisionOral ExpressionInductive ReasoningSpeech ClarityDeductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionInformation Ordering
Work styles
Intellectual CuriosityAttention to DetailIntegrityDependabilityAchievement OrientationTolerance for Ambiguity
Technology
Document management softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareDesktop publishing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareMusic or sound editing softwareWord processing softwareData base management system softwareMap creation softwareElectronic mail software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
  2. Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
  3. Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
  4. Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
  5. Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
  6. Conserve and preserve manuscripts, records, and other artifacts.
  7. Present historical accounts in terms of individuals or social, ethnic, political, economic, or geographic groupings.
  8. Research the history of a particular country or region, or of a specific time period.
CIP education codes
04.080104.080230.120130.120230.129930.130130.210130.220130.220230.229930.290130.450130.460151.320451.320554.010154.010254.010354.010454.010554.010654.010754.010854.0199

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.