The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the NPS, is recruiting one Archaeology Crew Lead to complete Section 106 Cultural Resource surveys, site recording and monitoring for various projects within Lava Beds National Monument. The work that you will do directly improves the quality of this Monument helping ensure it continues to thrive for generations to come.

This work provides professional development and leadership opportunities in cultural resource management including increased exposure and responsibility enacting NPS 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.

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 adding 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.

Location: 

Lava Beds is a national monument situated in far northeastern California encompassing about 45,000 acres on the northern flank of the Medicine Lake Shield Volcano. The monument is home to over 800 lava tube caves, in addition to being the site of the 1872-1873 Modoc War. The park ranges from about 4,000ft elevation on the north end to 5,500 in the south, and is located at the nexus of the southern Columbia Plateau, northern Sierra Nevada, and western Great Basin. Native vegetation consists of a mix of sagebrush and bunchgrass steppe, juniper woodlands, and ponderosa forests. Lava Beds experienced 2 wildfires in 2020 and 2021 that burned 97% of the park and consequently the landscape is now dominated by invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum) across much of the park. Winter weather typically sees highs in the 30s and lows in the 10s, while summers are hot with max temps around 90-100 degrees. The park’s desert environment means snow and rain are infrequent, though not uncommon from October-May.

Fieldwork conditions to be expected from this position include high temperatures with no available water sources and little to no shade during 8–9-hour workdays. The terrain consists entirely of unforgiving lava “bedrock” that absorbs and reflects heat while creating a diverse surface that can become difficult or dangerous to navigate, especially while carrying heavy work gear. Other risks include rattlesnakes, bees/wasps, thorny vegetation, and high levels of smoke from surrounding wildfires. As such, crew health and safety are prioritized as the first concern and continual monitoring of one’s self and team members will be required. As with any fieldwork, tasks can become tedious at times. Surveys and associated data collection are conducted in accordance with a strict protocol, which can get a bit repetitive.

The nearest established community is Klamath Falls, OR, which is a 1 hour drive each way from park headquarters. Klamath Falls has a population of 45,000 and is home to grocery stores, restaurants, medical facilities, etc. There are also 2 small towns of about 1,000 (Merrill, OR and Tulelake, CA) within a 30-minute drive of park headquarters, each of which has a small grocery store and gas station. Recreation opportunities within 2 hours of the park include hiking, kayaking, winter sports, and more.

Timeline: 

• Tentatively April-October of 2026, with the potential of extension based on performance and agency needs;
• Full time, average 40 hours per week;

Required:

• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low, but may be loud during the operation of small equipment.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

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.