Archaeologist (NPS, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument)

The Cultural Resource Services Program (CRS) at the Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with National Park Service at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI), is recruiting (1) Archaeologist to collaborate to accomplish cultural resource management activities at ORPI and to provide mentorship and collaboration in survey, documentation, and historic preservation activities. 

The GBI archeologist will assist the program with cultural resource projects, including documentation of archaeological sites along the monument’s southern boundary, archeological monitoring, and archeological survey of areas threatened by unauthorized off-road driving. They will also help to draft site forms and report sections using recently collected data under the supervision of NPS cultural resource program staff. Additional tasks may include site condition assessments, hands-on historic preservation work, and assistance with interdisciplinary resource management projects.  

The GBI archeologist position will be responsible for assisting with archeological surveys, documenting archeological sites both new and previously recorded, site monitoring, drafting and compiling data in an office setting, and completing construction monitoring. GBI will hire and support a park-based Archeologist (like a GS-0193-07) in collaboration

with NPS for the length of the agreement to support project work for the park. This work may include:

• Condition assessments and in some cases, re-documentation of archeological sites along or near the southern monument boundary.
• Archeological survey of areas of the monument vulnerable to border and off-road driving impacts. 
• Archeological monitoring of ground disturbance during construction projects such as a monument headquarters waterline replacement project, includes documentation of observations, and reporting.
• Ability to record spatial data in a field setting, and GIS data management and map making with support from ORPI’s field archaeologist and geographer.
• Drafting site documentation forms and project report sections under direction from cultural resource staff. 
• Participating in historic preservation projects as part of a crew with NPS staff and partners. 

Office work will take place in a shared, office environment. All field and office equipment will be provided by ORPI.

Location:

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) is located in southwestern Arizona, with the southern boundary of the monument comprising 30 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico, approximately 40 miles south of Ajo. The monument was established by presidential proclamation on April 13, 1937, to preserve more than 330,000 acres and protect a representative part of the Sonoran Desert that contains organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi), a large, columnar cactus rarely found in the United States. Approximately 95% of the monument (about 312,600 acres) is also designated wilderness, with another 1,240 acres designated as potential wilderness.

ORPI also possesses a rich, documented 15,000-year human history.  Precontact trade routes bisect what is now the monument and allowed for ease of movement through the Sonoran Desert as people looked to acquire resources and trade. To the Tohono O’odham people, the fruits of saguaro and organ pipe cactus provided food during the hot Sonoran summer. The presidential proclamation for the monument provides for the continued harvesting of cactus fruits by the “Indians of the Papago Reservation,” now called the Tohono O’odham Reservation. Human use continued in the form of mining and ranching activities, which occurred from the late 19th and early 20th century through the 1970s. The effects of these activities can still be seen on the landscape today, as can remnant features such as prospecting holes, wells, and structures that are scattered across the monument.

Timeline:

• Anticipated start date in August or September 2026, 26 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week) with no overtime; 
• Schedule: Generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, are subject to change depending on weather and project needs.

Compensation and Benefits:
Wage: $22 hourly;
Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Sick Leave and holidays; 
• Uniform stipend; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Housing:

• Bi-weekly stipend 
• Shared housing may be available for this position in park housing. Rental housing is also available 40 minutes away in the gateway community of Ajo. ORPI operates a minimally priced employee/volunteer shuttle to and from Ajo each day.

At least two of the Following: 

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline (by position start date); 
• Six months of professional fieldwork experience; 
• 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; 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work cooperatively as well as independently; 
• Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map and compass. 

Preferred: 

• Fieldwork experience & familiarity with the cultural history and forested habitat of the desert Southwest
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA 
• Advanced skill using specialized software such as Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, Avenza, and Google Earth; 
• Ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads. 

TO APPLY

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application. 

For questions regarding this position, please contact ksupak@gbinstitute.org.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The position will work in both the field and office settings. Fieldwork may be physically demanding, often occurring in remote, desert locations. These positions require hiking in rocky, uneven desert terrain. Extreme heat and monsoon weather conditions will be present at the beginning of the positions time at ORPI.

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 : $22