Archaeologist Resource Assistant

Coconino National Forest – Red Rock Ranger District

Length: Term of positions is 52 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk

Location: 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86351

Compensation: $18.75/hour, plus $1000 housing allowance (pre-tax, $250.00/week)

Start Date: September 30th, 2024

Application Due Date:

Preference given to applicants that submit application by at least six weeks prior to start date.

Position Title Archaeologist Resource Assistant

Position Details

Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. 

Stewards in partnership with USFS Coconino Forest, Red Rock Ranger District seeks an Archaeologist Resource Assistant. This position typically spends a significant amount of time conducting cultural resources surveys, monitoring implementation of district-specific projects, and reporting the results to the District and Forest Archaeologists. They are expected to lead lower-level technicians and volunteers as either a crew lead and/or project manager for Section 106/110 projects. 

Depending on their skill level, they often assist the District Archaeologists in developing contracts specifications, carrying out public interpretation projects, ensuring accurate data entry and documentation, and myriad other tasks. They may also work with local partners such as Friends of the Forest, Museum of Northern Arizona, Verde Valley Archeology Center, or others. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, personable, quick to learn, and looking for an opportunity for growth, both professionally and the District’s Archaeology Program.

They also receive on-the-job training in more advanced archaeology skills such as preparing technical reports, testing sites for National Register eligibility determinations, and ensuring NHPA and NEPA compliance. Telework is authorized; training and development opportunities are granted to assist with professional and career advancement, and peer networking within the Archaeological and Recreational communities. The Forest’s Archaeological program advocates for developing an individual’s skill set to help them grow within the Forest Service and beyond while tailoring their work tasks to assemble a wealth of applicable real-world knowledge.

Position Responsibilities will include:

• As an advanced trainee, performs duties of limited scope and complexity in all aspects of archeology activities. Combines productive work with learning a variety of advanced skills, techniques, and procedures in order to increase ability to perform in higher level work and to assist employees at higher grade levels. Assignments are typically screened to eliminate difficult or unusual problems
• Receives formal and on-the-job training in more advanced skills, techniques and procedures by performing a variety of productive archeology work. Assignments may include some or all of the following:
  • Conducts routine field reconnaissance searches in areas planned for such activities as timber harvesting, wildlife habitat improvement, road construction, and recreational development.
  • Reports findings and prepares recommendations to be incorporated in environmental analysis reports concerning possible effects that proposed resource management activities may have on existing archeological remains.
  • In conducting field searches, identifies and marks archeological sites, prepares site location maps, records findings, photographs artifact findings, and prepares sites sketches as necessary.
  • Searches for and examines historical records as well as the findings of other archeological experts relative to the history, social structure, and living conditions of past cultures which inhabited the area.
  • Working with higher-grade archeologists, conducts field investigations as part of a Forest-wide classification and protection program to be incorporated in long-range resource management plans.
  • Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts of archeology, including reconnaissance, evaluation, and basic field survey procedures to conduct reconnaissance and surveys.
  • Knowledge of the various cultures and ethnic groups who inhabited the region in past periods to evaluate archeological findings and conduct surveys.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by Conservation Legacy (over 21 years old or drivers license for at least three years).
• US Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident
• Prior Southwest and northern Arizona experience is preferred, but not required.
• Presented or developed interpretative talks related to Heritage and/or cultural resources
• Experience in archaeological field surveys, excavations, and artifact analysis
• Knowledge of archaeological methods, theories, and practices
• Familiarity with archaeological laboratory procedures and equipment
• Ability to interpret and record archaeological findings accurately
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess a Master’s degree or enrolled in an Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field graduate program in pursuit of a Master's degree
• Previous experience working on archaeological projects in forested environments
• Experience with artifact conservation and curation
• At least 2 years of prior Southwest and northern Arizona experience
• Proficiency in using GIS software and other archaeological tools
• Led/developed interpretative materials or discussions for the public or in part of requirements for Bachelor or Master’s program

Benefits: 

• $1,000.00/month housing allowance. (pre-tax)
• $50/monthly commuting allowance. (pre-tax)
• $4,750.00 Professional Development and Travel fund. 
• Eligible for Health Benefits after 60 Days of Employment.
• On-the-job training related to position responsibilities. 
• Work-related training opportunities paid by the Forest
• Paid Federal holidays and 7-10 days of paid time off during term of service
• Eligibility for the RAP Direct Hire and Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility authorities for 2 years after successful completion of the program*

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA’s may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions as well as a Direct Hire Authority for FS Career positions.

How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions.  In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Questions: Please contact Conservation Legacy Program Coordinator, Roddy Cobb, Jr., at rcobb@conservationlegacy.org for any questions. 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.