CRDIP Archeology Member - Colonial National Historical Park and the Northeast Archeological Resources Program

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and through the Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, is seeking an Archeology Member to assist in the project partnership between Colonial National Historical Park and the Northeast Archeological Resources Program that uses archeology to discover and interpret evidence of the lives of Africans and African Americans enslaved at the Travis Plantation.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: May 13, 2024

Estimated End Date: August 2, 2024

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program (CRDIP) is a professional development internship that introduces students and recent graduates, from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities within Cultural Resource Management in the NPS. CRDIP participants will have the opportunity to attend several professional development webinars as well as write blogs or create videos about their projects throughout their term. To learn more: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/join-us.htm

This position is classified as a DHA (Direct Hire Authority) Internship. DHA positions target exceptional, current upper-level undergraduate or graduate students that are interested in pursuing careers with the NPS. DHA positions will be rigorous internships that develop the participant's technical and creative thinking abilities, leadership skills, and problem-solving capabilities.

DHA applicants will be involved in cultural resource management projects that generate data and/or research that must be analyzed and presented to various stakeholders at the end of the internship. After successful completion of the internship, and graduation from their degree program, the intern will receive DHA non-competitive hiring eligibility.

Location: Colonial National Historical Park- Yorktown, VA

On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was established as the first permanent English settlement in North America. Three cultures came together - European, Virginia Indian and African-to create a new society that would eventually seek independence from Great Britain. On October 19, 1781, American and French troops defeated the British at Yorktown in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Having a personal vehicle is not required, but highly recommended for commuting and to access groceries and other needs on days off. For more information about the park, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/colo/index.htm

Position Overview: The Archeology Member will serve as a project archeological assistant on the Travis Site Archeological Project, an ongoing archeological research effort on Jamestown Island in Colonial National Historical Park. The Civil Rights Initiative-funded project is a partnership between the Northeast Archeological Resources Program (NARP) and Colonial National Historical Park (COLO). The project, in its third of four years, uses archeology to discover and interpret evidence of the lives of Africans and African Americans enslaved at the Travis Plantation. The intense and rigorous project will hone the ACE member's excavation and lab skills with a field session of two weeks followed by post-field laboratory work and analysis of excavation results.

The project includes an active public and community engagement component in collaboration with the park's interpretive staff and the College of William and Mary. Through these efforts, the ACE member will be exposed to the park's/project's external stakeholders. In addition to a presentation for the R1 Regional Archeologist, COLO staff and leadership, and the public, they will produce a close-of-fieldwork memo detailing project methods, activities, and results.

Schedule: During the field session, schedules typically consist of nine- to ten-hour days for fourteen days. Upon completion of fieldwork, the office schedule will be Monday to Friday; 8:00 am-4:30pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. A reimbursement not to exceed $1,000/month will be provided to help offset the cost of housing.

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 training may include archeological field excavation methods and techniques, surveys and mapping with Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS), and cataloging artifacts in the Interior Collections Management System (ICMS).

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. 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: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
 

Qualifications

Required:

• Education, experience, and/or demonstrated interest in archeology, anthropology, or a related discipline
• Understanding of archaeological method and theory as well as field excavation techniques equivalent with the completion of an archeological field school
• Ability to present work in a concise and professional manner to a wide audience
• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request), to regularly operate government vehicles.
• 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

Preferred:

• Experience with GIS technologies
• Completion of an archeological field school

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, digging, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike 2 miles and work in rough terrain (i.e. rugged backcountry environments, heat and humidity, ticks and tick-borne illnesses, chiggers, and snakes).
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 pounds, ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. There will be safety precautions taken during each field visit to prevent and avoid potential dangers in the field. Office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including poison ivy, biting insects, ticks, and seasonal heat and humidity. Sunscreen and insect repellant are supplied, but the member should come equipped for working in such conditions. Long pants and sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots must be worn during fieldwork. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or cultural resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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 ACE EPIC NPS CRDIP Member Manager, Samira Rosario Martinez (she/they), at srosario-martinez@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.