Archaeologist (NPS Death Valley)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is recruiting one (1) Archaeologist to complete Section 106 Cultural Resource surveys, site recording and monitoring for various projects within the Death Valley National Park while leading a small group of up to three technicians, interns, and volunteers. These projects all serve the Cultural Resources program’s greater mission of improving the quality of public lands to ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.

This position will be a part of the Death Valley (DEVA) Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) team and will work on inventory, monitoring, recordation, and historic preservation work related to the historic mine lands and structures in Death Valley National Park. This position will be a part of a team of historians, archaeologists, physical scientists and historic preservationists. This work will assist the Park in working toward closures of mining features that could pose a threat to the public and wildlife.

The Archaeologist will implement all stages of the archaeological compliance process, including:

• Pre-field review – search of archaeological databases to determine if the area had been surveyed before and if there are any known archaeological sites in the area; archival research at the Park archive collection;
• Conduct intensive archaeological pedestrian surveys to inventory and record cultural properties working independently or as a crew lead;
• Prepare California DPR site records and/or Nevada IMACS forms, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the NPS heritage database;
• Development of final reports and NPS assessments of effect forms;
• Review of contractors’ draft and final archaeological and cultural landscape inventory reports and site forms;
• Attendance and participation in project meetings;
• Proficiency with GPS tablets and field collection. The ability to train and help field crews troubleshoot tablets during field collection;
• Archaeological monitoring;
• Evaluation of cultural resources for inclusion on the National Register;
• Site condition assessment and revisit and evaluation;
• Review and creation of Section 106 compliance documents.
• Lead archaeology crew to conduct and complete field surveys to document, assess and characterize the status of new cultural resources, both historic and precontact;
• Monitor existing sites and complete site updates and condition assessments;
• Prepare California DPR site records and/or Nevada IMACS forms, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the NPS heritage database;
• Lead and collaborate with agency personnel and all other crew members to support field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting efforts.

Location:

Death Valley National Park is located in Nevada and California and boasts some of the hottest and driest climates, and lowest elevation in North America. The park includes a superlative desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and three million acres of wilderness. Death Valley is home to the Timbisha Shoshone people and to plants and animals unique to the harshest desert environment. The closest cities are Pahrump and Beatty, Nevada (both approximately 1 hour away). Las Vegas is a little over 2 hours away.

The Cultural Resource Program works closely with the local tribe and there will be opportunities for the selected candidate to participate in tribal consultation meetings.

Field conditions include hot, arid days with high exposure to the sun, as well as cold, winter weather. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat, big game habitats, abandoned mine lands, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Wage: $29.50/hour (no overtime);
• Premiums 100% GBI-paid: comprehensive medical, dental (with an optional coverage upgrade), visual insurance, and a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy;
  • Enrollment eligibility begins the first day of the month following the first day of service.
• 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match;
• Paid Leave Benefit: Paid Time Off accrued at 4.61 hours per 80-hour pay period starting on the first day of employment;
• Paid holidays (12 per year);

Contract Timeline:

• Desired start date in early October, 2025
• Full time, average 40 hours per week.
• This project is expected to last for approximately 52 weeks, with the potential to extend, beginning in early October, pending the completion of a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI).

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline, including relevant field methods training coursework AND one year of archaeology-related fieldwork;
• An accredited archaeological field school and relevant field methods training coursework;
• Experience leading crews in the field, including oversight of crew safety, communication, fidelity to methods and data quality;
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic maps and a compass;
• Ability to recognize and record precontact and historic artifacts, features, and architecture
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting with NPS staff, GBI staff, interns, volunteers, academic, state, and federal partners;
• Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings under adverse conditions;
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff;
• Strong communication skills with diverse audiences, both written and oral;
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, possibly including some weekends, nights, and holidays;
• Willingness to work outdoors with some overnight camping or backpacking;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or hot high desert environment in all seasons.

Preferred:

• The ability to create maps in ArcPro or similar GIS software, the ability to manage geodatabases;
• Master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline and at least one year of field leadership experience;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California and Nevada SHPO compliance procedures;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management issues in the Western United States;
• Familiarity with cultural history of the Mojave region;
• Familiarity with historic archaeology chronologies and artifacts;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America’s backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from -282 – 10,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water 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.  Death Valley National Park follows a heat safety policy that limits fieldwork to certain temperatures or elevations as heat rises.

Archaeology crew members must be able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, camp in the backcountry for consecutive days, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry a heavy pack in excess of 40lbs, and be in overall good physical condition. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization’s ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.