Individual Placement-Alaska- Archaeological Placement

Position Summary

The position will be hosted at Ketchikan Supervisor's Office on the Tongass National Forest based in Ketchikan, Alaska, with opportunities to travel to neighboring districts to assist with Heritage program work throughout the Forest.

Projects will predominately include archaeological surveys and site condition assessments, as well as assisting with digital documentation needs such as records management and artifact cataloging.

The goal of the position is to introduce students and recent graduates to what it is like to be an archaeologist for the federal government! Placements will be trained in survey methodology, artifact identification, and archival techniques that will provide a foundational skillset necessary for pursuing a professional career in archaeology.

The position is primarily field-going and may involve strenuous outdoor activities, such as walking, climbing, riding (ATV), backpacking and overnight camping, often in steep, rough terrain in isolated areas in a forest environment in black/brown bear habitats. Working weather conditions may be inclement at times, but temperatures are usually in the 60s-70s with enough sunny days to combat the rainy ones

Location

Ketchikan,AK

Schedule

May 31, 2026 - September 19, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Assisting District Archaeologists with inventory, evaluation, protection and interpretation of historic and precontact sites located on the Tongass National Forest. This includes fieldwork associated with surveys of proposed Forest Service project areas and field verifications of archaeological and historical sites that may be affected by these projects. Additional tasks may include artifact analysis, digital data documentation (such as scanning hard copy reports and working with our digital site database - Heritage Web), and collections management.

Marginal Duties

Participants may also assist with outreach events held by the local district, Ketchikan-Misty Fjords National Monument or the local Forest Service Southeast Alaska Discovery Visitor Center. There may also be opportunities for cross-training with other program areas, such as recreation or wildlife.

Required Qualifications

Participants should have some experience with (and ideally enjoy) working/recreating outside. Participants should also be actively pursuing, or recently graduated with, an education in Archaeology/Anthropology or a related field such as History or Geography.

Participants should be able to carry 25lbs while traversing rough and uneven terrain over extended walking distances. Fieldwork often requires 8-10 hours of traversing through forested landscapes that vary in vegetation density, while carrying necessary field gear for the day.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with mobile mapping and data collection applications such as Avenza and ESRI Field Maps, as well as experience with ArcGIS Pro would be ideal. However, adequate training will be provided on these applications and how they are used in our day-to-day workflow.

Overall, participants should be open to new experiences and cultures, easy going and flexible. We are looking for someone who is driven in the field of cultural resource management. Applicants should appreciate hard physical work and enjoy being outside in the woods, but also amendable to office work.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

This position will be provided with a room in our bunkhouse at Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District. When traveling to other districts, housing will be secured at the local bunkhouse for the participants through the applicable district office.

The room is the size of a dorm room has two twin beds and a desk with a window and closets. The bathrooms are shared with normal facilities provided. Kitchen and common areas are shared and stocked with utensils, cookware, TV, VCR, books and the like. Linens and pillows are provided but the person should bring toiletries. Laundry is onsite with shared washers and dryers.

We try our best to not double up the rooms, especially for our longer-term guests. However, the possibility of a roommate does exist especially during busier periods. We will provide fair warning if this becomes a reality. The Facility is coed and the rooms have locking doors, and the bathrooms are separated by binary gender. There is no Wi-Fi provided at the bunkhouse, but most major cell carriers have adequate service for calling, texting, and internet access.

We can provide accommodation for special needs, provided that these are made known prior to arrival. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited on this federal property. The bunkhouse is located minutes on foot from the district office and is 15 minutes by bus [which is free in the summer] to the Ketchikan Supervisor's Office. Two grocery stores are located within walking distance of the bunkhouse. In the summer, there are many seasonal employees around that work for the cruise ship attractions, so opportunities for social activities are varied.

Compensation

$450/week living allowance

$1,500 one-time roundtrip travel stipend

$350 reimbursements for personal protective equipment

$5,000 reimbursements for required in-season duty travel

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed

Additional Benefits

Bear Safety

Defensive Driving Training

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Salary : $450 - $1,500