Archaeology Crew Lead (USFS, Sequoia NF Kern River Ranger District)

The Great Basin Institute • Kernville, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), 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 Sequoia National Forest. These projects support GBI's Cultural Resources program's mission to help the USFS improve forest resilience against climate change and wildfire threats. This role directly protects sensitive cultural sites, ensuring their stories are preserved. The position offers professional development and leadership opportunities in cultural resource management, including increased exposure to USFS processes, procedures, and compliance measures; assistance with reporting and data quality assurance; and enhanced technical experience. Expanded opportunities in other disciplines and projects may be available. This position will support USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, contributing to healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes. The crew lead will also have the opportunity to work with a Tribal Monitor and learn from local tribes. The Archaeology Crew Lead will perform various activities to support all project stages, including crew safety and oversight, training, and communication with agency and GBI staff. Crew size will range from 2-4 people. Primary field duties include leading crews to conduct surveys for forest projects, documenting and assessing new cultural resources, monitoring existing sites, and completing site updates. This includes preparing California DPR site records, GIS maps, and photographic records, as well as inputting data into the USFS heritage database. The lead will collaborate with agency personnel and crew members on field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting. Primary office duties include performing literature reviews and background research, assisting with Section 106 and Section 110 reporting (including drafting project maps), drafting California DPR archeological site records and maps, and assisting with GIS data management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline, including relevant field methods training coursework
• 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
• 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

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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.
• Perform literature reviews and project background research.
• Assist with Section 106 and Section 110 reporting, including drafting project maps.
• Draft California DPR archeological site records, archeological site maps, and archeological sketch maps.
• Assist with GIS data management.
• Ensure crew safety and provide oversight.
• Provide or assist in training crew members.
• Communicate with agency and GBI staff as needed.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost
• Personal leave and holidays
• Access to Pro Deals
• $250 Uniform Stipend
• Camping Per Diem: $30/night as necessary
• Shared housing provided

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level