Cultural Resource Specialist

Bat Conservation International Inc.•Springdale, UT

9h•$60,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a full-time Cultural Resource Specialist to join BCI’s Conservation Department. The Cultural Resource Specialist will work as part of the Compliance Team in the Habitat Protection & Restoration Program (HP&R). The successful candidate must be qualified for permitting as Field Director or Principal Investigator/Project Director on state, Bureau of Land Management, and/or U.S. Forest Service lands in at least one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and/or Utah. The Cultural Resources Specialist will conduct fieldwork and reporting for cultural resource inventories based in the American Southwest, and should live in that region. They will work directly with BCI’s Cultural Resource Coordinator to coordinate with other HP&R teams and external partners to support BCI’s work in the States. Cultural resources work includes documenting and analyzing archaeological sites, completing cultural resource inventory forms, and writing archaeological technical reports. BCI’s Cultural Resource Specialists take turns acting as project leads or assistant archaeologists based on individual permitting and project scheduling. BCI’s cultural resource inventories are primarily done in combination with subterranean bat surveys to gather information on wildlife and cultural resources at abandoned mines. The inventories are used to guide treatment recommendations to protect important cultural and biological resources during safeguarding and closure of abandoned mines on public lands. BCI’s cultural resource inventories also include block and linear pedestrian surveys of areas selected for wildlife habitat improvement and restoration projects. Upcoming pedestrian surveys include post-fire restoration areas in the Gila and Santa Fe National Forests. This position will also assist with other project duties, including data and photo organization, map production, background research, and other tasks. Our program highly encourages all staff to seek out opportunities within other teams and specialties to better understand the full capacity of the HP&R program and to build working relationships with colleagues outside of their respective specialties and teams. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to provide writing and fieldwork assistance to other teams within HP&R during lulls in cultural resources work. BCI offers on-the-job training, and opportunities for additional safety/medical certifications are available. Traversing challenging terrain on foot and conducting surveys in inclement, uncomfortable, and variable weather is a part of all field-based work within HP&R. The Cultural Resource Specialist is a full-time, primarily remote position. The work schedule will vary based on project needs and availability. The primary duties of the position are to serve as Field Director or Principal Inspector/Project Director for cultural resource inventories in permitted regions. This includes coordinating with coworkers and external partners and leading fieldwork and reporting tasks. The Cultural Resource Specialist will also assist with fieldwork and other project duties for cultural resource inventories led by other BCI staff in other regions as project needs and availability require. Reporting tasks will be completed remotely from a home office. Office work will comprise the majority of duties. Fieldwork may include up to two field sessions per month during the field season. When fieldwork is expected, advance notice of 1–2 months is generally provided. Fieldwork requires traveling to project sites and living and working in or near project locations. Projects are often in remote, mountainous terrain near small communities with limited services. Field sessions typically last five weekdays, including paid travel days, though some projects may last longer and may include working weekends. Travel and fieldwork days range from 8–12 working hours, sometimes more. Overnight lodging will usually be provided in single-occupancy hotel rooms or shared house rentals with private bedrooms for each team member. Some projects may require overnight camping; BCI will provide basic camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove, etc.) as needed. Meals, equipment, and travel costs will be reimbursed to federal per diem standards. Additional opportunities within HP&R – if interest and availability permit – may include conducting subterranean wildlife surveys, generating subterranean survey reports, protecting and restoring water resources for wildlife, assisting with agave plantings, generating post-restoration activity reports, assisting with drone surveys, drafting National Environmental Policy Act compliance documents, grant writing, and assisting with data management.

Requirements

Meets Field Director or Principal Investigator/Project Director qualifications for at least one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah. Note: a graduate degree alone does not satisfy FD/PI/PD requirements; please consult agency guidelines.
Master’s degree in a relevant field of study such as archaeology, history, anthropology, architectural history, art history, or historic preservation.
Previous experience completing cultural resource inventory (site) forms.
Previous archaeological report writing or editing experience.
Ability to review, synthesize, and interpret archaeological data and communicate conclusions verbally and in writing.
Excellent communication skills and comfort communicating with colleagues in a remote work environment.
Experience working in cooperative, small-team settings.
Experience working outdoors and comfortable moving through difficult terrain with limited resources.
Experience driving off-road.
Reliable and self-motivated worker.
Demonstrate initiative and resourceful problem-solving skills to optimize project completion.
Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, including utilizing style templates and automated cross-references.
Must have a valid US driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Experience in digital mapping (e.g., EOS GPS, ArcGIS Field Maps, or Trimble) and digital site documentation (e.g., ArcGIS Survey123).
Experience using GIS programs to create and modify spatial data (e.g., ArcGIS Pro or QGIS).
Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel.
Experience using hand tools (e.g., shovel, saw, pick, axe).
Experience and/or interest in using rock climbing equipment.
Certifications in first aid, CPR, and/or wilderness medicine.

Responsibilities

Serve as Field Director or Principal Investigator/Project Director for projects located in at least one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Preference will be given to candidates who are BLM-permittable in southwest New Mexico.
Coordinate with Cultural Resource Coordinator, project partners, and land management agencies to plan and manage cultural resource projects in permitted regions in support of BCI’s mission to end bat extinctions worldwide.
Take turns acting as project lead or assistant archaeologist based on individual permitting and project scheduling; must be comfortable alternating between roles.
Write technical reports, complete archaeological site/resource forms, draw site sketch maps, and organize data and photos.
Conduct background research using archival records, physical and online sources, and historical maps and photographs.
Interpret results of surveys based on field notes, photography, and GIS data.
Synthesize information to create appropriate National Register of Historic Places eligibility assessments and resource management recommendations.
Survey and document historic and prehistoric archaeological resources using digital field forms, photographs, and GPS devices.
Plan and manage logistics for field projects, including making travel reservations, route planning and navigation, and maintaining gear.
Collaborate with teams in BCI to support the growth of archaeology and cultural resource management in conservation work.