Magdalena Ranger District Archeologist Project Organizer

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps•Albuquerque, NM

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Archeologist Project Organizer is a seasonal, full-time individual placement supporting the Cibola National Forest Heritage and Cultural Resource Department on the Magdalena Ranger District. The position organizes cultural-resource projects, provides direction and training to field personnel, supervises an archeology survey crew, and supports project management, report production, GIS and data management, budget tracking, and coordination with Forest Service departments and staff, the State of New Mexico, the public, and Forest Service volunteers. Administrative work includes collecting data, preparing brief project reports, and communicating with Cibola National Forest and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) staff. The position is managed through RMYC, with regular check-ins and life-skills training. Additional training may be offered by the host program or outside providers and tailored to the participant; cross-training with other programs is encouraged. The schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exact start and end times depend on program funding, program needs, and application timing. The position reports daily to Cibola National Forest staff and weekly to the RMYC Individual Placement Program Coordinator. The service start date depends on completion of USDA background clearance. The role is based at the Cibola National Forest/Magdalena Ranger District Cultural Resources office in Magdalena, New Mexico. Fieldwork occurs in all weather conditions and may involve mountainous terrain, rough or rocky surfaces, and extended use of primitive facilities. Participants are provided access to government vehicles, equipment, facilities, systems, and materials needed for the work, and must follow applicable government policies and regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in archeology, anthropology, or a similar field.
At least 3–5 years of professional work experience in archaeology.
Knowledge of archeological theories, principles, and techniques.
General knowledge of land-management practices sufficient to prescribe a typical Heritage and Cultural Resource Management program consistent with basic National Forest requirements.
Knowledge of regional cultural and archeological patterns sufficient to adapt cultural-resource management to local conditions and evaluate archeological findings and surveys.
Limited knowledge of related disciplines, such as timber management, hydrology, soils, plant pathology, wildlife habitat management, and engineering, sufficient to recognize connections to cultural-resource issues and when specialized advice is needed.
Ability to manage fieldwork and reporting, supervise a survey crew, and handle data collection and processing.
U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident.
Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record; drivers must be over 21 or have held a license for at least three years.
Must complete the required USDA background clearance, pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check, and fingerprint scan. Candidates must be truthful about criminal history, cannot be registered or required to be registered on a state or national sex-offender registry, and cannot have a murder conviction.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl frequently, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
Ability to walk considerably over rough, rocky surfaces and perform fieldwork in all weather conditions, sometimes in mountainous terrain and with extended use of primitive facilities.
Ability to communicate danger at a distance of up to 50 meters, including in limited visibility or loud conditions; recognize hazards, follow safety directions, respond appropriately to stress or crises, and remain alert and focused for several hours.
Ability to self-administer prescription medication as needed without assistance.
Ability to work flexibly in a changing environment, communicate effectively, and work cooperatively under potentially stressful or difficult conditions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in archeology or a related field.
5–10 years of experience.
Proficiency in geospatial data collection and management, including ArcPro, FieldMaps, AGOL, and Heritage NRM.

Responsibilities

Manage the field and reporting process for a large cultural-resource reconnaissance project.
Supervise an archeology survey crew, directing fieldwork, data collection, and data processing.
Assist staff in developing immediate objectives, integrating work with resource activities, and setting priorities.
Assist with budget and project work plans for archeological and cultural activities within the National Forest unit.
Design inventory strategies for land-use planning based on Forest-wide priorities and needs.
Assist in determining whether historical properties are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Provide Forest Service personnel with orientation on heritage and cultural-resource management statutes, regulations, and the purpose of assigned work.
Interpret heritage and cultural resources for the public and professional contacts, including through presentations and professional publications.
Ensure program documentation is complete, including contracts, National Register eligibility criteria, legal documents, and internal reports.
Organize, supervise, or perform inventories, including preparing maps, inventories, reports, and records related to the discovery, protection, inventory, salvage, and interpretation of heritage and cultural-resource areas.
Review project-planning reports for inventory quality, completeness, and the significance of heritage or cultural sites; prepare determinations of effect for sites identified during project inventories and assist staff with mitigation recommendations.
Collect data, prepare brief project reports, and communicate with Cibola National Forest and RMYC staff.
Work effectively as a team member, contribute to a safe and respectful learning environment, complete program activities and training, communicate concerns, and represent the U.S. Forest Service appropriately to the public and partners.
Communicate hazards or personal distress, recognize and respond to hazards, follow safety directions, and remain alert while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.