Archaeology Lead at Lake Mead NRA

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), is recruiting a Lead Archaeologist to join the Cultural Resource Services (CRS) Program. The associate will work under the direction of the Cultural Resource Program Manager to provide leadership for the park’s Archaeology Program by participating in and overseeing archaeological field work, archaeological reporting, in-field artifact analysis, data processing and management.

Field work includes surveying for cultural resources, construction monitoring, recording and documenting cultural resources, condition assessments of known sites, and National Register of Historic Places eligibility assessments in support of Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act compliance and research projects. The associate may act as field crew lead on some projects and would be a crew member on other projects (to allow developmental opportunities for other staff). This position will be expected to learn and draw upon the following to accomplish project objectives:

• Knowledge of cultural resource management, including National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria;
• Accurately complete and submit forms and reports in a timely manner in support of SHPO and NHPA reporting requirements;
• Ability to implement field projects and maintain productivity with changing priorities and tight timelines;
• Leadership experience, attention to detail, effective organization, and time management skills;
• Assess and address safety hazards;
• Ability to oversee and critically review the work of others in order to meet quality standards and project timelines;
• Critically review data collection needs for cultural resource assessments and surveys;
• Critically review projects plans to identify and assess potential impacts on cultural resources;
• Ability to effectively work as a leader and a team member, and manage an archaeology field crew of up to 6 crew members and volunteers in remote locations;
• Large-scale or complex cultural resource survey;
• Cultural resource site recording, in field documentation and associated site records;
• Ability to utilize ArcGIS software to build maps, organize and manage data, and manipulate data layers;
• Experience operating hand-held GPS or tablet for navigation and electronic field data collection;
• Utilize Field Maps application with tablet for field site documentation;
• Accurate and detailed data entry into variety of databases;
• Ability to write reports summarizing current field work, sites documented, previous survey;
• Work with current and historic aerial photos, GIS, archival documents (historic maps and literature) to develop historic context;
• Back country navigation and driving on primitive roads with 4WD vehicles; and
• Back country camp for extended periods of time.

Lab work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required, as well as lifting and moving of heavy items weighing 40 pounds or more. Fieldwork in the Southwest requires the physical endurance to walk over flat, uneven, sloped, rocky, or sandy terrain, work outside in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat or cool temperatures. Overnight camping for 4 to 8 days at a time in remote areas is possible. Some work areas are only accessible by boat, the RA must be comfortable riding in a boat for prolonged periods of time and can get on the boat from the shoreline and disembark from the boat onto the shoreline.

Location
This Research Associate position will be based out of Boulder City, Nevada where the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters is located. It is a 20-minute drive from the city of Henderson which lies on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, in the transition of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, including mountains, canyons, valleys, and two vast lakes. It hosts 7.5 million visitors per year. From the mouth of the Grand Canyon, the park follows the Arizona-Nevada border along what was formerly 140 miles of the Colorado River. Opportunities for recreation abound.

Compensation

• Wage: $35 per hour
• Park housing is not available

Benefits

• Paid health insurance premiums through Cigna Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Paid personal time off and paid federal holidays
• Field per diem for any required overnight camping stays $20/day (when applicable)
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match (fully vested on Day 01)
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD & D Insurance
• Pro gear/equipment deals through various companies and websites
• Training opportunities

Timeline

• 12-month appointment beginning September 2025
• Full time (40 hours/week); some overtime and weekend work may occasionally be required

Qualifications

Best qualified applicants will demonstrate experience in the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, indigenous peoples studies, or closely related field, including an archaeological field school;
• One year experience authoring reports, letters, maps, and other compliance documents in support of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act;
• Familiarity with the National Environmental Policy Act, use of Categorical Exclusions, and other associated laws (Clean Air, Clean Water, Endangered Species Act);
• Four years of previous, relevant field experience, including the ability to identify pre-contact and historic artifacts, surface features, and archaeological sites,      document archaeological sites using GPS or tablet, write detailed notes describing artifacts, features, and other relevant information;
• Two years pedestrian survey experience, walking transects on uneven terrain with varying landforms;
• Two years experience planning and implementing archaeological surveys based on project needs;
• One year experience mentoring, training, overseeing and critically reviewing the work of others;
• Experience using ArcGIS Pro to draft maps for survey reports, site forms, append GPS data into geodatabase;
• Conduct artifact analysis to determine temporal affiliation in the field or in the lab based on photographs;
• Experience writing reports summarizing survey methods and results;
• 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 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;
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities with a positive attitude;
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented, possessing strong organizational skills to effectively plan and complete assigned workload within defined timelines;
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a diverse audience, including co-workers, Tribal member, members of the public, and agency personnel;
• Ability to work productively, consistently, and independently or cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience drafting documents, performing environmental compliance reviews, utilizing categorical exclusions in support of environmental compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act;
• Experience using Field Maps application and a tablet to collect field data;
• Prior experience writing historic context and Section 110 survey reports.
• Prior experience working in the desert Southwest, or similar desert climates.
• Knowledge of cultural history within the greater Southwest region, southern Nevada, northwest Arizona.

The successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior Background Investigation prior to beginning this position.

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.

Successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.

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.

NOTE: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

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