Archaeology Technician (NPS Death Valley)

The Great Basin Institute in cooperation with the National Park Service is recruiting two (2) Archaeology Technicians to complete Section 106 Cultural Resource surveys site recording and monitoring for various projects within Death Valley National Park. These projects all serve the Cultural Resources programs greater mission of improving the quality of public lands to ensure they continue to thrive for generations to come.

These positions will be a part of the Death Valley (DEVA) Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) team and will work on inventory monitoring recordation and historic preservation work related to the historic mine lands and structures in Death Valley National Park. This position will be a part of a team of historians archaeologists physical scientists and historic preservationists. This work will assist the Park in working toward closures of mining features that could pose a threat to the public and wildlife.

Archaeology technicians perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Crew size will range between 2-7 people. Primary archaeology field duties will include:

• Collaborate with Archaeologist and agency staff to support field safety communication planning logistics quality assurance field implementation and reporting efforts;
• Complete field surveys either alone or as a part of a team to document assess and characterize the status of new and known 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 adding data to the NPS heritage database;.
• Utilize GPS tablets in the field to collect data and use that data to make maps and update geodatabases.
• Prepare reports portions of reports or assessments of effect documentation for archaeological compliance.

Location:

Death Valley National Park is located in Nevada and California and boasts some of the hottest and driest climates and lowest elevation in North America. The park includes a superlative desert of streaming sand dunes snow-capped mountains multicolored rock layers water-fluted canyons and three million acres of wilderness. Death Valley is home to the Timbisha Shoshone people and to plants and animals unique to the harshest desert environment. The closest cities are Pahrump and Beatty Nevada (both approximately 1 hour away). Las Vegas is a little over 2 hours away.

The Cultural Resource Program works closely with the local tribe and there will be opportunities for the selected candidate to participate in tribal consultation meetings.

Field conditions include hot arid days with high exposure to the sun as well as cold winter weather. Resources of the region include threatened and/or endangered species habitat big game habitats abandoned mine lands and historic and prehistoric cultural sites.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Wage: $26.50/hour (no overtime);
• Shared housing provided;
• Premiums 100% GBI-paid: comprehensive medical dental (with an optional coverage upgrade) visual insurance and a $25000 Life/AD&D policy;
  • Enrollment eligibility begins the first day of the month following the first day of service.
• 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 starting on the first day of employment;
• Paid holidays (12 per year);

Contract Timeline:

• Desired start date in early October 2025
• Full time average 40 hours per week.
• This project is expected to last for approximately 51 weeks with the potential to extend beginning in early October pending the successful completion of a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI).

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/or relevant field methods training coursework.

Other required:

• Possess a clean valid state-issued drivers license;
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting with NPS 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:

• Fieldwork experience and familiarity with the cultural history of the Mojave 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.

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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This physically demanding work often in remote locations will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of Americas backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from 300 feet below sea level to 11000 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. Death Valley National Park follows a heat safety policy that limits fieldwork to certain temperatures or elevations as heat rises.

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 organizations 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.