Archaeology Crew Lead (LTBMU)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting an Archaeology Crew Lead to complete Section 106 and Section 110 cultural resource surveys, site recording, and monitoring for various projects within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. These projects all serve the Cultural Resources program’s greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. The work that you will do directly protects sensitive cultural sites, helping ensure the stories they tell are preserved for generations to come.

The Archaeology Crew Lead position provides professional development and leadership opportunities in cultural resource management including increased exposure and responsibility enacting USFS processes, procedures, and compliance measures; assisting in reporting and data entry/quality assurance and control; and increased technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., forestry, wildlife, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. This position will serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources.

The Archaeology Crew Lead will perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Leads will be responsible for crew safety and oversight, provide or assist in training, and communicate with agency and GBI staff as needed. Crew size will range between 2-6 people. Primary archaeology field duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead archaeology crew to conduct and complete field surveys in areas planned for forest projects 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, Nevada IMACS site records, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the USFS 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.

Primary office duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performing literature reviews and project background research.
• Assisting with Section 106 and Section 110 reporting, including drafting project maps.
• Drafting both California DPR and Nevada IMACS archeological site records, archeological site maps, and archeological sketch maps.
• Assisting with GIS data management.

Contract Timeline: The work schedule during the winter and spring is full time and flexible, depending on project needs. The work schedule for the field season (summer – fall) is generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, but is subject to change depending on weather and project needs. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet project objectives.
Location:This physically demanding work, often in remote, mountainous locations, will provide Archaeology Crew Leads with rewarding exposure to some of California’s backcountry forested landscapes. This position requires 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.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $21-$28 per hour
• Paid federal holidays
• Health Insurance: The Great Basin Institute will cover 100% of the premium for Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for each crew member effective on the first day of the month following the start of their employment.

Job Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline, including relevant field methods training coursework AND two years of archaeology related field work;
• Experience leading crews in the field, including oversight of crew safety, communication, fidelity to methods and data quality;
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map and compass;
• Ability to recognize and record prehistoric and historic artifacts, features, and sites;
• 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 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 may include occasionally overnight work & camping in remote areas for consecutive nights;
• 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 a diverse audiences, both written and oral;
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, possibly including some weekends, nights, holidays;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, hike up to 10 miles a day, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons.

Preferred:

• At least one year of field leadership experience;
• Previous work experience in the Sierra Nevada region and/or the Great Basin;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 of the NHPA and California SHPO and Nevada SHPO compliance procedures;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management issues in the Western United States
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcPro GIS, and Google Earth.