Archaeology Lead Team Members
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with US Forest Service, is seeking Two Archaeology Lead Team Members to contribute to the archaeology project alongside Tahoe National Forest Yuba District Staff.
This opportunity is intended for an enthusiastic young professional with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resource management and conservation.
Start Date: 05/08/2023
Estimated End Date: 11/04/2023 *a 26 minimum commitment is required *
Location Details/Description: Yuba River Ranger District, Nevada City, CA
The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.
For more information about Tahoe National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe
Position Overview: The Lead Archaeology Technician will support Forest Service initiatives by providing technical support to the heritage resource staff. This position will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including preparing for and conducting cultural resource inventories, organizing and editing GIS data, analyzing resource and survey data, making resource NRHP eligibility and implementation protection recommendations, adapting survey strategies to varying conditions, preparing reports, and completing additional tasks as determined by Forest Service staff. The purpose of the work is to serve as a senior technician and crew work leader on archaeological surveys and ensure the work is accomplished within established rules, methods, and timelines. The work directly affects the design and execution of large forest priority projects, as well as the long range objectives of the Tahoe National Forest heritage program.
Project Tasks:
- Serve as a senior technician and crew work leader on archaeological surveys and site monitoring
- Works alongside other senior technicians and crew work leaders to accomplish priority tasks
- Analyze archaeological data in preparing reports. Compile and report information about the nature and extent of known cultural resources
- Adapt survey strategies as determined by specific project requirements (terrain, vegetation cover and time frames). Applies scientific methods to survey parcels of land to identify and record cultural resource sites, features and artifacts.
- Prepare complex Cultural Resource Inventory reports and site forms. Enter site and inventory information into the NRM cultural resource database, and onto GIS maps.
- Monitor cultural resource sites to ensure approved standard protection measures are implemented and effective
- Conduct inventories of Forest cultural resources in areas of proposed Forest Service projects. Research reference materials such as Forest Service cultural resource files, State and National Register files, historic documents, archeological reports, maps and aerial photos
- Ensures that archeology work assignments are carried out in a safe and timely manner according to established standards and procedures
- Review work in progress to see that standards for pre-field research, survey design, site recording, graphics, and final report are being met
- Advises other members or the district archaeologist staff on methods of cultural resource inventory
- Actively communicates with the district archaeologist staff on project progress and complex issues that arise
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: Work schedule will be Mon-Thur 7:00am -5:30pm, reporting to the Tahoe National Forest's Supervisor's Office in Nevada City daily. Schedule adjustments will be limited and granted upon approval of the District Archaeologist.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $950/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $10-20 per day by the Forest. A Housing Allowance of up to $250/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.
Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.
Specific USFS training required for a government driver's license, safety training, NRM database entry, and other applicable heritage program training.
Qualifications
Applicants for this position should hold a bachelor's degree in Anthropology, or a similar cultural/natural resource field, and have specific archaeological fieldwork experience. A master's degree is preferred, but field experience is a suitable substitute for education. This is a highly demanding outdoor position that requires substantial physical fitness and mobility, and a tolerance for extreme weather and demanding conditions.
ACE Required:
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.S. government contracts
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
- ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
USFS Required:
- Archaeological fieldwork experience and proven leadership experience, especially with regards to safety.
- Practical knowledge of the basic theories and practices of archaeology in order to compile technical reports and make recommendations to district archaeology staff
- Advanced knowledge of the techniques of archaeological reconnaissance in order to adapt survey strategies to successfully identify a large variety of artifacts and features and relocate previously recorded resources.
- Ability to perform library and archival research to locate and obtain information
- Knowledge of technical report writing to prepare project reports or determinations of eligibility
- Skill using a compass, aerial photos, topographic maps and GPS units to navigate to sites and survey areas
- Must be able to work alone and lead small groups with minimal supervision, adhere to instructions and procedures, and use initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently
- Practical knowledge of the local geography, archaeology, ethnography and history of the area within and adjacent to the Forest
- Ability to organize and edit GIS data using ArcMap, AGOL, or ArcGIS Pro
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Master's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as anthropology and archaeology and cultural resource management.
- Knowledge of the Forest Service and California archaeology.
- Ability and willingness to learn and apply federal cultural resource management laws.
- Deep interest in anthropology, archaeology, and federal cultural resource management.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager, Celia Demers at cdemers@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities