Archaeology Technician (USFS Custer-Gallatin NF)

Description

**Local candidates are encouraged to apply**

Working cooperatively with the United States Forest Service (USFS) Custer Gallatin National Forest (CGNF), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting (2) Archaeology Crew Members to assist CGNF archaeologists with field surveys and site monitoring for various Recreation program projects across the Forest. A major goal of this work is to complete pedestrian survey/inventory of segments of backcountry trails that are targeted for maintenance and improvement work in the Absaroka-Beartooth Zone, which includes the Beartooth, Gardiner, and Yellowstone Ranger Districts in south central Montana. Targeted project areas are generally more remote high-altitude (8,000 ft elevation), alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems located in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness with known sites including lithic scatters, precontact hunting and habitation sites, historic refuse deposits, and precontact travel routes. The Crew Members will work with CGNF Archaeologists to conduct pre-fieldwork research, survey and record previously undocumented sites, and complete site records. Other archaeological work includes office-based database work (GIS and archaeological data entry and analysis) and preparing all maps and reporting/documentation following fieldwork. This work supports the CGNF in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and will be focused on cultural resource documentation related to repair and improvement work to recreation infrastructure across the forest. Fieldwork involves pedestrian surveys and implementation of standard protocols for detecting, identifying, and recording cultural resources. 

Successful candidates for the positions will be familiar with standard methods for archaeological fieldwork. Technicians will be trained to identify local archaeological artifact types and features and will learn how to complete archaeological site record forms required by the Montana SHPO. This opportunity provides experience working with federal archaeologists and alongside a variety of Forest Service staff in the Recreation program. Technicians will encounter diverse archaeological resources common to the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountains, which will expand their experience in cultural resource management in the intermountain west. In addition, the CGNF will provide orientation to the Forest and training in various field safety protocols including working/camping safely in grizzly bear habitat and the proper use of bear deterrent (bear spray).

The fieldwork season varies considerably across the Forest, due to the geographical range of the districts. In the eastern districts, field season can be from April-December depending on the weather and snow coverage. In the western districts, the field season is much shorter due to higher altitude and mountainous terrain, with some areas only accessible from late June-early September due to snow. Most of the work during the field season is performed in an outdoor environment that ranges from cold and wet to hot and dry. This work may require physical exertion over steep, wet, muddy, slippery, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; and may include bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, and similar activities. Self-supported overnight camping (backpacking) for several days at a time in remote areas will be required for some surveys. Fieldwork requiring overnight stays in employee bunkhouses or similar shared accommodation should also be expected.

Location: Custer-Gallatin Forest Supervisors Office, Bozeman, MT.

The Custer Gallatin National Forest contains about 3.1 million acres of public land. The 1.8 million-acre Gallatin portion is situated in south-central Montana, hugging the northern and western flanks of Yellowstone National Park. It spans six mountain ranges: the Bridger, Madison, Absaroka, Beartooth, Crazy, and Gallatin. The Custer portion covers 1.3 million acres in southeast Montana and northwestern South Dakota. It includes part of the Absaroka/Beartooth mountains, Pryor mountains, low elevation ponderosa pine covered bluffs and ridge tops of the Powder River Basin and isolated pine-covered bluffs rising from the prairie.

Seven ranger districts manage the Forest: Beartooth District in Red Lodge, MT; Ashland District in Ashland, MT; Sioux District in Camp Crook, SD; Bozeman District in Bozeman, MT; Yellowstone District in Livingston and Big Timber, MT; Gardiner District in Gardiner, MT, and Hebgen Lake District in West Yellowstone, MT. The Supervisor’s Office is in Bozeman, with some additional staff in Billings, MT, co-located in the BLM State Office.

For more information about the Custer Gallatin National Forest, visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin/home

Bozeman Community Information:
Bozeman, Montana is in the Gallatin Valley in southwest Montana, about 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. It is the fourth largest community in Montana and the fastest growing area in the state. The population in Bozeman is slightly more than 53,000, which includes almost 15,000 students at Montana State University. The population of Gallatin County, including the communities of Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone, is over 110,000.

Climate in the Bozeman area offers a wide variety through the four seasons; temperatures vary from an average high in August of 80 degrees to an average low in January of 10 degrees. Below-zero temperatures in the winter are common. Total yearly precipitation averages about 19 inches, with an average annual snowfall of 83 inches.

For more information about Bozeman and the surrounding communities, please go to the Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.bozemanchamber.com/

Livingston Community Information:
Livingston, MT is located to the north of the Paradise Valley, where the Yellowstone River takes a sharp right and wanders east to the prairie of the northern great plains. Livingston is 30 minutes from the Supervisor’s Office in Bozeman. With a population of approximately 7,300, Livingston is a close-knit community that is a terrific place to live and work.  Livingston is approximately 30 miles east of Bozeman along Interstate 90 and 50 miles north of Gardiner, Montana and the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

The climate in the Livingston area offers a wide variety through the four seasons; temperatures vary from an average high in August of 80 degrees to an average low in January of 10 degrees. Below-zero temperatures in the winter are common. Total yearly rainfall averages about 16 inches, with an average annual snowfall of 65 inches.

Timeline:   

• 12-month appointment upon completion of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Background Investigation;
• Full-time, 40 hours/week.

Compensation and Benefits:  

• Pay Rate: $23.50/hour;
• Housing Stipend: $300 biweekly;
  • Onsite housing is NOT available; accommodation will be provided when performing fieldwork away from the Bozeman duty station requiring an overnight stay.
  • Bozeman has a range of housing options, but generally has a higher cost of living. Many Forest Service employees who work at the Forest Supervisor’s Office live in nearby communities including Livingston, Belgrade, and Three Forks.

In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with the option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy. Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members are available.  Mental health support resources are employer provided, as is 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related discipline, and relevant field experience; 
• Knowledge of historic and/or prehistoric cultural resources of the Northern Plains/Rocky Mountains is not required but highly desirable;
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory and monitoring protocols;
• Experience in performing archaeological surveys, inventories and assessments;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to CGNF Heritage program staff
• Familiarity with completing site forms (or portions of site forms) and/or entering site form data into database programs;
• Experience with Excel spreadsheets
• Experience working with geospatial data in a GIS program such as ArcGIS or similar is not required but desirable;
• Ability to read and interpret topographic maps and navigate using a compass and/or experience and comfort using a GPS application (such as Avenza) for navigation on a cellular device (tablet or phone);
• 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 productively and cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing mutual goals and communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Possess good organizational skills and be detail oriented; 
• Ability to work in challenging environmental conditions, camp in the backcountry for consecutive days, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, and perform required physical activities

Successful applicants must complete a USDA Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to USFS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application. 

TO APPLY
Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three
professional references.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact isengupta@gbinstitute.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  
This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America's backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from 750 - 10,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water on a daily basis, possibly during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow, or rain. Work schedules, generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, are subject to change depending on weather and project needs. Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet project objectives.

Archaeology crew members must be able 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. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.

Salary : $24