The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Sequoia National Forest, is recruiting two Archaeology Crew Leads to support surveys of cultural resources on the forest. The Archaeology Crew Lead will be responsible for coordinating with USFS staff and GBI personnel to conduct Section 106 survey and to document, assess and characterize the status of new and existing cultural resources, prepare State of California site records, create GIS maps, input data in 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. Each Archaeology Crew Lead, will oversee a three-person crew and will support field safety, communication, planning, logistics quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting.

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 possible 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 und the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will be completed for approximately 130 miles of road, and designated recreation administrative and special use sites located with 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 involves 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. Crew Leads will need to bring their own gear for such conditions.  The position will require working in remote locations on National Forest land. The 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 (80% of the time).

Archaeological Crew Leads will gain exposure to policies and approaches for managing cultural resources on public lands and enhance their experience in standard techniques for archaeological field documentation, management of associated data, and reporting. Further opportunities to participate in projects on other USFS units during the 2021 field season may be available.

Qualifications: 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline (including relevant field methods training coursework and/or an accredited archaeological field school);
• Two years of fieldwork experience including archaeological survey, site recording, monitoring, GPS data collection, and associated reporting;
• Ability to recognize and record prehistoric and historic artifacts, features, and architecture;
• 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;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently;
• Strong written and oral communication skills with diverse audiences;
• 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 the possibility of overnight camping in remote areas for consecutive nights.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline and at least one year of field leadership experience;
• Completion of an accredited field school;
• At least six months of field leadership experience in California, the Sierras, and/or the Great Basin;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California SHPO compliance procedures;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management issues in the Western United States;
• Familiarity with cultural history and forested habitat of the Sierra Nevada region;
• Proficiency in navigating using a GPS, topographic map and compass;
• Ability to exercise quality control in data collection and management;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth.