Description:

The Great Basin Institute, 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 Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. These projects all serve GBI's Cultural Resources Services 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 responsibility enacting USFS processes, compliance measures, and 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.

Archaeology technicians perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Crew size will range between 2-4 people.

Primary archaeology field duties will include:

• Collaborate with Archaeology 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 and IMACS site records, GIS maps, and photographic records in addition to inputting data to the USFS heritage database.

Location: Lake Tahoe Basin Unit, South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Wage: $21- 24.50 hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.
• Health, Dental, and 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.

Project Timeline: Mid May through October 2026

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

Qualifications

At Least one of the Following:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline (by position start date);
• An accredited archaeological field school and relevant field methods training coursework.

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. These positions may require occasional extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5,000-9,000 ft.) with heavy packs on a semi-regular 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. 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 and/or Nevada SHPO compliance procedures;
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS Pro, and Avenza Maps;
• Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.

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.

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.