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Archaeology Technician - Lassen NF (Eagle Lake Ranger District)
Job Code:2024-CRS-042
Location:VARIOUS
State:California
Program:Cultural Resources
Contract Length:6 Months
  

Job Description:
The Great Basin Institute (GBI), 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 Lassen National Forest. These projects all serve the Cultural Resources program’s 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.), projects, and tribal consultation assistance may exist. Additionally, work in the Lassen National Forest will serve to support forest-wide efforts to promote forest recovery in the wake of the Dixie Fire.

Archaeology technicians perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Crew size will range between 2-6 people.

Primary archaeological field duties will include: 
•Collaborate with 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.

This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide Archaeology Crew Leads with rewarding exposure to some of California’s backcountry forested landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5,000-9,000 ft.) with heavy packs 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.

Contract Timeline:
Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions and individual projects: Tentatively May-October.

Projects are weather dependent and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations.

Location:
Lassen National Forest is a total of 1.2 million acres or 1,875 square miles. It lies within seven counties; Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, and Modoc.

The lands that make up the Lassen National Forest were home to many Native Americans long before recorded history, and these peoples still live and work in the surrounding areas. They were removed from their traditional homelands starting in the mid-1800s, and remained largely homeless until a series of appropriations were passed between 1906 and 1910 that provided funds to purchase small tracts of land in central and northern California for landless Indians of those areas, resulting in the Rancheria System in California. These Rancherias did not maintain the integrity of the existing tribes, and instead put any Native Americans in a geographic area together, regardless of their tribal identity. Many of these Rancherias still exist in the form of both federally and non- federally recognized tribes, and include the Greenville Rancheria, Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, Pit River Tribe, Redding Rancheria, Susanville Indian Rancheria, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, Mooretown Rancheria, Maidu Summit Consortium and Conservancy, Tasmam Koyom Foundation, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, and the Hanylekim/Honey Lake Maidu. These Rancherias typically are made up of members of multiple tribes, including but not limited to: The 11 autonomous bands of the Pit River Tribe, the Northern, Central, and Southern Yana, Maidu, Paiute, Washoe, Wintu, Shoshone, and the Nomlaki. The Yahi Yana were also once present on Lassen National Forest lands, but the last surviving member of that tribe - Ishi - died in 1916.
It is an area of great variety, greeting visitors and residents alike with a wide array of recreational opportunities and adventures. Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling, boating, snowmobiling,cross-country skiing, and just exploring and learning about nature are among the many popular pastimes.

Within the Lassen National Forest you can explore a lava tube or the land of Ishi, the last survivor of the Yahi Yana Native American tribe; watch pronghorn antelope glide across sage flats or an osprey snatch fish from lake waters; drive four-wheel trails into high granite country appointed with sapphire lakes or discover spring wildflowers on foot.

Compensation and Benefits:
•Wage: $17-21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.
•Health, Dental, 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

Job Qualifications:
At Least one of the Following:
•Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline (by position start date);
•Six months of professional fieldwork experience; and/or
•An accredited archaeological field school.

Other Required:
•Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s 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 SHPO compliance procedures;
•Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap/ArcPro GIS, and Google Earth;
•Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.
 


EEO Statement
We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.