Description:

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting one (1) Archaeology Crew Leads to complete Section 106 cultural resource surveys, site recording, and monitoring for various projects within the Plumas 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 protects sensitive cultural sites, helping ensure the stories they tell are preserved for generations to come.

The Archaeology Crew Lead position 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; and increased technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., forestry, wildlife, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. This position will serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources.

The Archaeology Crew Lead will perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Leads will be responsible for crew safety and oversight, provide or assist in training, and communicate with agency and GBI staff as needed. Crew size will range between 2-6 people. Primary archaeology field duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead archaeology crew to conduct and 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.
• Lead and collaborate with agency personnel and all other crew members to support field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting efforts.
• 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.

Location: Mount Hough Ranger District - Quincy, CA

Plumas National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, United States. It covers over 1.2 million acres and encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including lush forests, rugged peaks, sparkling lakes, and rolling meadows. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, mountain lions, bald eagles, and numerous species of fish and reptiles.

The Plumas National Forest offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors, including hiking, camping, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The forest is also a popular destination for winter sports, with several ski resorts located within its boundaries.

The forest is located near the towns of Quincy and Portola and is easily accessible from nearby major cities such as Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California. With its breathtaking scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, the Plumas National Forest is a popular destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and families alike

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Wage: $26-28/hour, depending on experience, with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate;
• Shared housing provided;
• Camping Per Diem: $25/night as necessary;
• Uniform Stipend;
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment;
• Personal Leave Time (PLT) accrued (beginning on the first day of employment) at a rate of 0.05 hours per hour worked (~4 hours biweekly);
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance covered 100% by GBI;
• Paid federal holidays.

Contract Timeline: 

• Nine month position, July 2025 - March 2026;
• Full time, average 40 hours weekly;
• Schedule: Ten hours per day, four days per week.

Necessary supplies and equipment:

• Sturdy footwear, ideally rugged hiking boots with Vibram soles and ankle support
• Long sleeve field/tactical pants and shirts
• Mapping compass
• Field backpack with 11L minimum capacity
• Field lunch and sufficient water to get through a 10hr day

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline, including relevant field methods training coursework AND one year of archaeology-related fieldwork;
• Experience leading crews in the field, including oversight of crew safety, communication, fidelity to methods and data quality;
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic maps and a compass;
• Ability to recognize and record prehistoric and historic artifacts, features, and architecture
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• 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 may include occasional overnight work & camping in remote areas for consecutive nights;
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff;
• Strong communication skills with diverse audiences, both written and oral;
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, possibly including some weekends, nights, and holidays;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline and at least one year of field leadership experience;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA and California SHPO compliance procedures;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management issues in the Western United States;
• Familiarity with cultural history and forested habitat of the Sierra Nevada region;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth.