The Great Basin Institute AmeriCorps Program, in cooperation with the Sequoia National Forest, is recruiting six Archaeology Technicians to support surveys of cultural resources on the forest. The Archaeology Technicians will coordinate with USFS staff and GBI personnel to assist in conducting Section 106 surveys to document, assess and characterize the status of new and existing cultural resources, prepare State of California site records, create GIS maps, input data into the Forest Service heritage database, and assist in associated reporting. Field data, collected in accordance with USFS protocols, will be used as a basis for recommending management actions.

The purpose of this project is to collect required resource data needed for project implementation and to complete the necessary analyses and documentation for the U.S. Forest Service approval of the Castle Fire Hazard Tree Project and possibly the East Sherman Project. The project planning and survey efforts will allow the U.S. Forest Service to implement forest restoration activities. Surveys and analysis work as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will be completed for approximately 130 miles of road, and designated recreation administrative, and special use sites located within the Castle Fire burn area on the Western Divide Ranger District (and if funding becomes available for 30 miles associated with the East Sherman Project). The proposed project area will include possible treatment areas 200-300 feet on each side of identified roads.

Surveys are physically demanding and involve hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (6,000-9000 ft.) on a daily basis, including during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as snow or rain or high wind events. Technicians will provide their own gear for such conditions.  The position will require serving in remote locations on National Forest land. The service schedule will generally be eight 10-hour days on, followed by 6 days off, depending on weather and project needs. This is principally a field-based position (90% of time).

Archaeological Technicians will gain exposure to policies and approaches for managing cultural resources on public lands. In addition, technicians will acquire experience in standard archaeological field techniques, documentation, management of associated data, and reporting. Selected technicians may have the opportunity to participate in projects on other USFS units during the 2021 field season following the completion of the project.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline;
• Six months of professional fieldwork experience, or an accredited archaeological field school and relevant field methods training coursework;
• 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 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. This includes occasionally overnight camping in remote areas for consecutive nights.
• Willingness and ability to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the mission of GBI and the goals and objectives of the USFS;
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1)U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive anAmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent oftwo full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website(NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks, (4) adhere to the rules,regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement;and (5) will not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the MemberService Agreement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fieldwork experience in California, the Sierras,and/or the Great Basin;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management issues specific to the western United States;
• Familiarity with the cultural history and forested habitat of the Sierra Nevada region;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California SHPO compliance procedures;
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map, and compass;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently; and
• Strong communication skills with diverse audiences, both written and oral.