Historic Preservation Specialist

Job Description:

Working cooperatively with the National Park Service’s Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting to hire a Historic Preservation Specialist to join our Cultural Resource Services (CRS) program and work within JOTR’s Branch of Cultural Resources, within the Division of Science, Research, and Stewardship (SRS). The principal objective of this position is to implement activities focused on promoting cultural scientific research and documentation related to JOTR in preservation of historic structures and cultural landscapes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with applying preservation and preventative treatments on a variety of historic mining and homesteading related structures and other landscape features, including timber, masonry, adobe, and concrete materials;
• Lead small groups of volunteers in implementing established treatment methods;
• Assist with conditions assessment and monitoring of historic structures and cultural landscapes;
• Research methods for mitigating human related impacts such as graffiti and vandalism;
• Document preservation treatment process;
• Complete preservation treatment reports;
• And other routine tasks associated with Cultural Resources Branch functions.
• Completing historic preservation projects in the desert southwest requires the physical endurance to walk over a variety of terrain and in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat, while carrying a heavy pack. Overnight camping for several days at a time in remote areas requiring packing in all supplies and materials may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in architecture, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or closely related field and/or historic preservation field experience; applicants with advanced degrees are encouraged to apply;
• Knowledge of historic structures, standard treatments for historic properties, and historic artifacts of the Mojave Desert regions of the southwest;
• Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties;
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, recording, and treatment protocols;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff (GBI or NPS);
• Experience completing historic preservation treatment documentation records, and entering form data into database programs;
• Ability to utilize ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD software to build maps, organize and manage data, and manipulate data layers;
• Experience operating hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and electronic field data collection; experience post-processing field data preferred;
• Read and interpret topographical maps and navigate using a compass;
• 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 productively and cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing mutual goals and communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Possess good organizational skills and be detail oriented; and
• 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 35-45 lbs, and be in overall good physical condition; prior experience working in the desert southwest, or similar desert climates, desirable.
• 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.

Location

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California, just off I-10, and is a 2- to 3-hour drive from Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Aside from the outdoor recreation opportunities and natural wonders within the park, Death Valley and Grand Canyon National Parks, the Mojave Preserve, as well as Lake Mead and Spring Mountains National Recreation Areas are nearby and afford a diversity of outdoor activities ranging from hiking, mountain biking and rock hounding to fishing, boating and skiing/snowboarding.

Compensation

• Wage: $28 per hour

• Paid health insurance premiums through Cigna Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• Camping Per Diem: $20/day (when applicable)

• Paid personal time off and federal holidays

• Eligible to enroll in company 401K plan with up to 4% matching contributions

• $25,000 Basic Life & AD & D Insurance

Contract Timeline

• 1 year appointment beginning July 2025 (or upon availability and completion of DOI Background Investigation)

• Full time, 40 hours/week (some weekend work may be required); potential for extension pending funding and favorable performance review

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.