Archaeological Apprentice (USFS Eldorado NF)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting up to two Archaeology Apprentices to complete Section 106 Cultural Resource surveys, site recording and monitoring for various projects within the Eldorado 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 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 exposure and responsibility enacting USFS 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.

Archaeology apprentices perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Crew size will range between 2-6 people. Primary archaeology field duties will include:

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

Location: 

The Eldorado National Forest is located in the central Sierra Nevada within the ancestral territories of the Miwok, Washoe and Nisenan people. Portions of Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, and Placer counties lie within the forest boundary. The forest is bordered on the north by the Tahoe National Forest, on the east by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, on the southeast by the Humboldt-Toiyabe, and to the south by the Stanislaus National Forest.

The forest is located within 3 - 4 hours driving time from the San Francisco Bay Area, a metropolitan complex of 4.5 million people. Sacramento is located within 1 - 1 1/2 hours driving time from the forest with a population of over 1,000,000 people. acres, or 9% of the total land area, is located within the Stanislaus National Forest.

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Wage: $18-21/hour depending on experience, with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate;
• Camping Per Diem;
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment;
• Sick time  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;
• Housing: Will not be provided and the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own.

Timeline: 

• Anticipated timeline of May through October 2026;
• Full time, average 40 hours per week;
• Projects are dependent on the local weather, and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations. 

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;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently;
• Ability to learn navigation using GPS, topographic maps and compasses.

Preferred:

• 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, ArcMap GIS, and Google Earth;
• Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.

TO APPLY
Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three
professional references.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact isengupta@gbinstitute.org

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  
This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America's backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from 750 - 10,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water 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.

Archaeology crew members must be able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, camp in the backcountry for consecutive days, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry a heavy pack in excess of 40lbs, and be in overall good physical condition. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

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.

Salary : $18 - $21