Senior Archaeologist (NPS, Death Valley National Park)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Death Valley, CA

26d • $35 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the NPS, is recruiting a Senior Flood Response Archaeologist to supervise a unique group with a unique mission. In 2022 and 2023 Death Valley National Park experienced two 1000-year level floods, causing impacts across the park. This position will lead a team to create a GIS model to determine impacted areas, revisit cultural resources to assess flood damage, verify and clean up previously collected data, and complete re-recordings and condition assessments of known sites. The role involves rectifying new and existing data, writing various reports (site and isolate forms, survey reports, condition assessments), evaluating NRHP eligibility, and preparing documentation for Park Section 106 compliance and Section 110 projects. The Senior Flood Archaeologist will also implement mitigation measures, manage data entry, conduct damage and condition assessments, direct and review the work of archaeological technicians and volunteers, and ensure good communication, flexibility, and order from chaos. Duties include completing Section 106 compliance inventories, assessments, documentation, and implementing mitigation measures. Specific documentation tasks include writing cultural resource survey reports, creating reports and site maps, writing monitoring reports, completing standard site records, feature and level forms, writing assessments of effects, damage assessments, artifact forms, attending tribal consultation meetings, drafting letters to Tribes and the SHPO, and completing compliance documentation in NPS databases like PEPC. Additional duties involve maintaining field equipment and supplies, managing databases, forms, maps, and files, reviewing the work of subordinates, coordinating field work, and retrieving/compiling data for resource management reports.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen (required to access US government computer networks).
• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of previous, relevant field experience in archaeology at the crew chief level or lead cultural/heritage resources staff position.
• Archaeology field methods coursework AND an accredited Archaeological Field School.
• Ability to communicate information professionally and tactfully in a clear and concise manner.
• Conflict management and communication skills, particularly in management or supervisory positions.
• Knowledge and experience with U.S. Cultural Resource law including NHPA, NEPA, NAGPRA, AIRFA, and ARPA, or similar.
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, recording, and monitoring protocols.
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff (GBI or NPS).
• Experience completing archaeological site forms (or portions of site forms) and/or entering site form data into database programs.
• Ability to utilize ArcGIS 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.
• Ability to read and interpret topographical maps and navigate using a compass.
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing mutual goals.
• Possess good organizational skills and be detail-oriented.
• 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.
• Knowledge of the technical methods and procedures of archaeology to perform a variety of routine technical tasks.
• Basic understanding of the principles and theory of archaeology to support the broader archaeological function.
• Knowledge of basic laboratory methods in order to prepare artifacts for testing, curation, and storage.
• Skill in using basic tools and equipment common to archaeological functions.
• Knowledge of database management, word processing, and specialized software programs essential to archaeological description, management, and reference.
• Knowledge of research methods.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degrees are encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of historic and/or precontact artifacts, preferably of the Mojave and Great Basin regions of the southwest.
• Knowledge of GIS modeling a plus!
• Experience post-processing field data, a plus.
• Prior experience working in the desert southwest or similar desert climates, desirable.
• Knowledge of the precontact and historic cultures of the area to reliably identify and record cultural remains in surveys, excavation, and laboratory analysis.

Responsibilities

• Create a GIS model to determine which areas would be most impacted by flooding.
• Revisit around 150 cultural resources located in those areas to assess their condition and evaluate flood damage.
• Field verify and clean up previously collected data.
• Complete field work and revisit known sites to complete re-recordings and condition assessments.
• Rectify new and existing data and write up site and isolate forms, survey reports, condition assessments.
• Evaluate and write determinations of NRHP eligibility.
• Prepare documentation for Park Section 106 compliance and Section 110 projects.
• Implement and conduct mitigation and protection measures.
• Manage data entry, damage assessments, and condition assessments.
• Direct and review field and office project work of archaeological technicians.
• Work with volunteers.
• Complete Section 106 compliance inventories, assessments, documentation and implementing mitigation measures.
• Write cultural resource survey reports, create reports and site maps, write monitoring reports, complete standard site records, feature and level forms, write assessments of effects, damage assessments, artifact forms.
• Attend tribal consultation meetings.
• Draft letters to Tribes and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).
• Complete compliance documentation in NPS databases such as PEPC.
• Maintain field equipment and supplies.
• Maintain related databases, forms, maps, and files.
• Review the work of archaeologists and archaeological technicians, assuring accurate and complete records and documentation.
• Coordinate field work to meet project timelines.
• Supervise the work of direct reports.
• Retrieve and compile data as required for resource management reports, interpretive exhibits, etc.
• Perform supervised research.
• Conduct record searches and interviews, and synthesize information collected for scientific, historical, and interpretive values.
• Complete archaeological surveys in the desert southwest.
• Camp in the backcountry for several days at a time in remote areas.
• Use ArcGIS software to build maps, organize and manage data, and manipulate data layers.
• Operate hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and electronic field data collection.
• Post-process field data.
• Read and interpret topographical maps and navigate using a compass.
• Safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
• Work productively and cooperatively as part of a team.
• Communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience.
• Conduct archaeological surveys.
• Identify and record cultural remains in surveys, excavation, and laboratory analysis.
• Prepare artifacts for testing, curation, and storage.
• Use basic tools and equipment common to archaeological functions.
• Manage databases, word processing, and specialized software programs essential to archaeological description, management, and reference.
• Conduct research.

Benefits

• Premiums 100% GBI-paid: comprehensive medical, dental (with an optional coverage upgrade), visual insurance, and a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
• 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match
• Paid Leave Benefit: Paid Time Off accrued at 4.61 hours per 80-hour pay period
• Paid holidays (12 per year)
• Pro gear/equipment deals through various companies and websites
• Field per diem for any required overnight camping stays
• In-Park housing may be available for this position

What This Job Offers

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