Archaeology Technicians – California

Great Basin Institute, founded at the University of Nevada Reno in 1998, is a mission-driven non-profit organization headquartered in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. GBI has been a leader in the conservation stewardship field for over two decades, supporting thousands of individuals each pursuing a career in public land management or advancing their academic standing. Partnering with federal, state and local governments, as well as other NGOs and researchers, GBI supports projects in eleven western states ranging from Alaska to New Mexico, and southern California to northwestern Wyoming.

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting multiple Archaeology Crew Members to complete Section 106 cultural resource surveys, site recording and monitoring for various projects within the Sierra Nevada mountain range (USFS Region-5 locations). This work provides numerous professional development opportunities in cultural resource management. Crew Members will gain an expanded professional network as they interact with agency staff, along with benefiting from exposure to USFS processes, procedures, compliance measures and reporting, and technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g. wildlife, forestry, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. These projects support USFS initiatives for healthy and productive forest landscapes and resources.

These are crew-level positions: Crews will receive instruction, guidance and training from GBI crew leads and/or Forest Service supervisors. Crew size will range between 2-6 people. 

Primary responsibilities will include the following:
– Collaborate with Archaeology crew lead and agency staff to support field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting efforts;
– Complete field surveys to document, assess and characterize the status of new cultural resources;
– Monitor existing sites and complete site updates and condition assessments;
– Prepare California DPR site records, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the USFS heritage database.

This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide Archaeology Crew Members with rewarding exposure to some of California’s backcountry forested landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5,000-9,000 ft.) with heavy packs on a daily basis, possibly during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow or rain. Work schedules, generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, are subject to change depending on weather and project needs. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet project objectives.

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 and/or Nevada 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;
– Strong communication skills with diverse audiences, both written and oral.

Location: 

Compensation and Benefits: 

Please apply online at https://www.vscyberhosting.com/greatbasin/careers.aspx?rf=AFW&req=2021-ACI-063