What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sequoia Archaeology Technician - Kern River Ranger District position at Great Basin Institute?
The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting Archaeology Crew Members to complete Section 106 Cultural Resource surveys, site recording and monitoring for various projects within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit These projects all serve GBI's Cultural Resources Services programs greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats. The work that you will do directly improves the quality of these forests helping ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.
This work provides professional development and leadership opportunities in cultural resource management including increased exposure and responsibility enacting USFS processes, procedures and compliance measures; assisting in reporting and data entry/quality assurance and control. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., forestry, wildlife, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist.
Archaeology technicians perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Crew size will range between 2-6 people.
Primary archaeology field duties will include:
- Collaborate with Archaeology crew lead and agency staff to support field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation and reporting efforts;
- Complete field surveys to document, assess and characterize the status of new cultural resources;
- Monitor existing sites and complete site updates and condition assessments;
- Prepare California DPR site records, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the USFS heritage database.
Location:
The Forest Service, a federal agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers the Sequoia National Forest which consists of three ranger districts. The Giant Sequoia National Monument has two separate sections; the northern portion located on the Hume Lake Ranger District near Dunlap, California, and the southern portion on the Western Divide Ranger District just east of Springville, California. The Kern River Ranger District lies at the southern end of the forest near Lake Isabella.
The Sequoia is one of nineteen National Forests in California. It takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves in the forest's lower elevation slopes. The Sequoia's landscape is as spectacular as its trees. Soaring granite monoliths, glacier-carved canyons, roaring whitewater, and more await your discovery at the Sierra Nevada's southern end. Elevations range from 1,000 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 12,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire west.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment.
- Shared housing provided.
- Camping Per Diem: $15/night as necessary.
- Uniform Stipend.
Contract Timeline:
Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions: Tentatively mid-May through mid-November.
Projects are weather dependent and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations.
Qualifications:
At Least one of the Following:
- Bachelors degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline (by position start date);
- One year of professional fieldwork experience;
- An accredited archaeological field school and relevant field methods training coursework.
Other Required:
- Possess a clean, valid, state-issued drivers license;
- 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;
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently;
- Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map and compass.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fieldwork experience & familiarity with the cultural history and forested habitat of the Sierra Nevada region;
- Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California and/or Nevada SHPO compliance procedures;
- Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth;
- Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
Salary : $21
