Through an agreement with the Arkansas Agriculture Department, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)’s Arkansas State Office is seeking three archaeologists/cultural resources management specialists. These positions will train at the NRCS Technical Service Center in Lonoke, AR for approximately six to eight weeks. After completion of training, selected candidates will be assigned to their individual duty station an individual duty station in one of at Marion (Crittenden County).
Arkansas NRCS helps producers conserve natural resources and provides services to all private landowners who are interested in restoring and enhancing our landscape through a unique partnership with landowners, conservation districts, state and local governments, and rural and urban citizens. We are committed to providing high quality technical assistance, conservation planning, and program information support to private land users.
Applicants will conduct cultural resources surveys in a variety of settings and generate summaries of findings for completed surveys and other associated paperwork for Arkansas NRCS conservation projects among other duties. Occasional overnight travel may be required for this position.
Minimum Qualifications:
The formal education of a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a related field; plus three years of experience in archaeology. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Preferred Qualifications
• Appropriate technical experience that includes activities, such as leading a crew on archaeological activities including assisting with or drafting portions of cultural resource management plans or assisting with the management of cultural resources projects; conducting historical and archaeological investigations, site condition assessments, and preservation treatments; prepared reports on historical and archaeological investigations; prepared Section 106 compliance documentation for submittal to the State Historic Preservation Office or other relevant consultation partners; surveying and monitoring archaeological sites or other cultural resources; and interpreting and summarizing technical archaeological data and information in written reports; or,
• Successful completion of at least 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent degree from an accredited education institution that is concentrated in a field that is directly related to the work of this position in archaeology, anthropology, or other directly related subject matter. Combination of education and experience can be accepted as well.
Job Duties
- This position will be under the supervision of a Natural Resource Conservation Service Archeologist and/or Senior Cultural Resource Specialist but frequently will be working autonomously.
- Assist the Cultural Resources Specialist (CRS) with cultural resource inventories, field investigations, and agency planning projects which may impact cultural resources.
- Operate a Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or Geographic Information System (GIS) equipment and software for field data collection, as well as general computer hardware, software, and other related information technology in order to prepare reports and make determinations of effect.
- Assist with the recordation of cultural resources unidentified through research and field investigations and assists in evaluation of cultural resources for their eligibility or significance relative to the National Register of Historic Places.
- Extensive field work including walking in rough and/or wet terrain, exposure to weather extremes, carrying equipment, digging test holes and working around farm equipment.
Preference will be given to those candidates who are listed in the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) or meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology. Due to heavy reliance on these systems and software, preferred candidates will also have experience with ArcGIS and GPS devices.
Hourly wage is $25.35 or approximately $53,248.00 yearly (GS 9, Step 2), with the potential for substantial overtime at time and a half. Benefits include: Health insurance is available for purchase through the State of Arkansas system, and paid leave.
To be considered for the Arkansas Agriculture Department position, you will have to create a profile and apply using https://arcareers.arkansas.gov/ . A direct link for this position is:
https://arcareers.arkansas.gov/job/Marion-ARCHAEOLOGIST-AR-72364/947306800/
Please note the salary depicts the range for the state pay scale, but the selected candidate will start at the listed salary.
