Position Title: Archaeological Technician Individual Placement 

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps   

Site Location: Frances Marion, Sumter NF

Address: 4931 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC

Position Available: 2  

Terms of Service: 25 Weeks 

Start Date: 03/09/2026 

End Date: 08/28/2026  

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hr  

Purpose:  

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. This individual placement is in partnership with the National Park Service and is an AmeriCorps Position.  SECC empowers young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service and environmental stewardship. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. 

USFS: The phrase, “Caring for the Land and Serving People,” captures the Forest Service mission. As set forth in law, the mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. 

Heritage Department of the USFS: The Congress in 1966 declared it to be our national policy that the Federal government will “administer federally owned, administered, or controlled prehistoric and historic resources in a spirit of stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of present and future generations.” To this end, the Forest Service will provide leadership in preserving America’s heritage through responsible stewardship activities that recognize, preserve, protect, enhance, and use cultural resources for the greatest public benefit.  

Position Overview: 

The Individual Placement will focus on supporting other USFS program areas and the Heritage Program by conducting archaeological field service and archaeological monitoring to support Hurricane Helene recovery projects on the Forest. The service is expected to identify and document damage to Heritage sites on the USFS system lands on Ranger districts that Hurricane Helene directly caused. The IP will also examine historical records, documentary sources, previous excavations to assist in project reviews required by law.

The service will also facilitate other program areas by conducting field services that will prevent additional damage from agency undertakings to archaeological sites and cemeteries on USFS lands.

Description of Duties:  

• Collecting Global Positioning System (GPS), Survey123, and ESRI field maps data to conduct damage assessments to archaeological sites and cemeteries.
• Recording and mapping damaged archaeological sites with notes and photographs.
• Writing reports to document the results of the damage assessments.
• Filling out site forms
• Performing archaeological Shovel Test Surveys, potential testing under the direction of a qualified archaeologist
• Independently conducting pedestrian walkover heritage surveys before the implementation of hurricane recovery vegetation management projects.
• Complete archaeological site monitoring during construction projects near significant sites and cemeteries.
• Complete basic archaeological laboratory and curation (cleaning, sorting, cataloging)
• Complete archaeological data entry during non-field days.

Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: uneven terrain, physical exertion, inclement weather, and remote service sites. Wet, slippery, and steep conditions around bridge locations. Hiking off-trail.

Qualifications:  

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 
• At least 18 years of age 
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before using the education award 
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check 
• Valid Driver’s License 
• Strong interest in archaeology and historic preservation.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in archaeology/anthropology or a closely related field, and the completion of an archaeological field school.
• This is a predominant field service position involving moderate to strenuous activity levels, walking over rough and rocky surfaces, some bending and stretching, and average dexterity is required.
• Field service is performed in all weather conditions, occasionally in mountainous terrain. Successful applicants will be able to independently complete assigned field, office, and lab tasks with minimal training.    

 Preferred Qualifications:  

• Previous experience in the Southeastern US archaeological field and lab service is preferred.
• Candidates with a strong background in ESRI Field maps, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and experience in GPS mapping will also be preferred.
• The most critical skill is the ability to collaborate and serve efficiently with minimal oversight.

Transportation:  

A personal vehicle is required due to the limited public transportation and rural character of this location. USFS/SECC vehicles will be provided for transportation only for forest capacity. This Individual Placement must be a driver.  

Physical Requirements:  

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 35 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.  

Time Requirements:  

Typically, this position is expected to serve 8 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week – but exact service schedules may vary and will include evening and weekend service depending on project needs. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.  

Orientation and Training:  

• Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.   
• Defensive Driving, how to drive on gravel roads / USFS Roads 
• GPS training using a tablet and programs such as ESRI Field Maps. Field training on the use of a clinometer and other tools.
• Trail bridge training and general trails training.

Benefits:  

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,697.50
• Living Allowance: $480 per week. 
• Additional Benefit: $320 per week. 
• Benefits: yes 
• Possible student loan forbearance. 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or service-life balance specialist. 
• Uniform shirts 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths. 

Evaluation and Reporting:  

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.  

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to:  

• Bi-weekly timesheets 
• Monthly Accomplishment Report 
• Narrative Monthly Report. 
• Bi-Monthly Check-Ins 
• Midterm and Final Evals 
• Exiting Task 

Substance Free:  

In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.   

Applications will begin review on November 25, 2025, with a selection by February 9, 2026. 

If you have questions about the position, please contact:  

Jason Moser

Heritage Program Manager

Francis Marion / Sumter National Forest

jason.moser@usda.gov

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:  

Ray Wilson  

Individual Placement Coordinator  

Southeast Conservation Corps  

rwilson@conservationlegacy.org 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.