Description:

The Great Basin Institute AmeriCorps Program, in cooperation with the Sequoia National Forest, is recruiting six Archaeology Technicians to support surveys of cultural resources on the forest. The Archaeology Technicians will coordinate with USFS staff and GBI personnel to assist in conducting Section 106 surveys to document, assess and characterize the status of new and existing cultural resources, prepare State of California site records, create GIS maps, input data into the Forest Service heritage database, and assist in associated reporting. Field data, collected in accordance with USFS protocols, will be used as a basis for recommending management actions.

Surveys are physically demanding and involve hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (6,000-9000 ft.) on a daily basis, including during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as snow or rain or high wind events. Technicians will provide their own gear for such conditions.  The position will require serving in remote locations on National Forest land. The service schedule will generally be eight 10-hour days on, followed by 6 days off, depending on weather and project needs. This is principally a field-based position (90% of time).

Archaeological Technicians will gain exposure to policies and approaches for managing cultural resources on public lands. In addition, technicians will acquire experience in standard archaeological field techniques, documentation, management of associated data, and reporting. Selected technicians may have the opportunity to participate in projects on other USFS units during the 2021 field season following the completion of the project.

Compensation & Benefits:

o   Living Allowance & Education Award: Technicians in AmeriCorps positions will receive a living allowance, the value of which is based on the length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary. The allowance is paid to member in bi-weekly installments throughout their term of service. Upon successful completion of AmeriCorps service, member become eligible for an education award (the amount is dependent on the length of service) that can be used for paying student loans, paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college, as well as additional certifications such as NOLS courses.

o   Living Allowance: Approximately $500/week

o   Education Award: 900 HR Term: $3,097

o   Camping per diem: $15/day as necessary

o   Shared Housing: No-cost, barrack-style shared housing will be available through Sequoia NF

o   Health Insurance: The Great Basin Institute will cover 100% of the premium for Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for each member.

o   Student Loan Forbearance: If you are currently paying on any federal student loans, you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, allowing you to cease payments while in service.

o   Interest Accrual Repayment: As an AmeriCorps alumnus, you will be eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible for this service, the loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

Timeline:

o   April-October 2021

o   Full time, generally Wednesday-Wednesday

o   The timing of these positions are tentative and may be impacted by weather and/or the COVID-19 pandemic. Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions.

Location:

The Sequoia National Forest encompasses 1,192,315 acres of the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, including the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Elevation ranges from 1,000 to 12,000 feet. Located just west and south of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and west of Death Valley National Park, recreation opportunities abound within and around the Forest. The Los Angeles metropolitan area is located ~2 hours to the south. Common resources found in the area include logging and railroad camps with associated artifacts and landscape features, and pre-contact sites ranging in age and function. The selected candidates will be based out of the Western Divide Ranger District office.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

·        Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline;

·        Six months of professional fieldwork experience, or an accredited archaeological field school and relevant field methods training coursework;

·        Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;

·        Ability to work effectively in a team setting with USFS staff, GBI staff, interns, volunteers, academic, state and federal partners;

·        Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings under adverse conditions. This includes occasionally overnight camping in remote areas for consecutive nights.

·        Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI and the goals and objectives of the USFS;

·        Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred Qualifications:

·        Fieldwork experience in California, the Sierras, and/or the Great Basin;

·        Knowledge of cultural resource management issues specific to the western United States;

·        Familiarity with the cultural history and forested habitat of the Sierra Nevada region;

·        Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California SHPO compliance procedures;

·        Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map, and compass;

·        Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth;

·        Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently; and

·        Strong communication skills with diverse audiences, both written and oral.

 How to Apply:

Please follow the link to apply directly through our online portal:

https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/Careers.aspx?req=2021-ACI-002&type=JOBDESCR

We conform to all the laws, statutes and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.