Sandia Ranger District Archeologist Project Lead

Position Description

Cibola National Forest: Archeologist Project Lead Individual Placement

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) is a nonprofit youth development organization serving New Mexico. We inspire young adults to make a positive difference in themselves and their communities. Through training and service, Corpsmembers discover their potential for healthy, productive lives.

Individual Placement positions work within RMYC partner agencies, and are intended to provide meaningful job experience for young professionals looking to build their careers in specific fields. This role will act as a lead to other individual placements.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Archeologist Lead Individual Placement will assist the Cibola National Forest – Heritage and Cultural Resource Department with project support by conducting field reconnaissance surveys, recording and reporting archeological sites, supervising field crew, GIS and data management, and assisting in report production.

Administrative responsibilities include collecting data, writing brief project reports, and communicating with Cibola NF and RMYC staff. 

This position is managed through RMYC and includes regular check-ins and life skills training. Other training opportunities will be provided through the host program or outside training tailored to the needs of the individual. Cross-training with other programs is also encouraged.

POSITION TYPE: Seasonal, full time

SCHEDULE: Full Time, 40 Hours per week, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Exact start and end times will be determined by program funding, program needs, and timing of applications received.

REPORTS TO: Cibola National Forest Staff daily and to RMYC Individual Placement Program Coordinator on a weekly basis.

LOCATION: Cibola National Forest/Sandia Ranger District –Cultural Resources Department, 11776 Highway 337; Tijeras, NM 87159

COMPENSATION: $24.44 per hour (GS-07 equivalency)

BENEFITS:

• RMYC observes all National holidays and are considered approved paid days off.

BACKGROUND CHECK: A USDA background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The Forest Service will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

ELIGIBILITY:

A chosen candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States. State-level background checks will be conducted for non-residents of NM.

• Chosen candidates must complete a pre-employment National Service Criminal History Check and fingerprint scan with the following requirements:

  • You must be truthful in all statements regarding criminal history.

  • You cannot be registered or required to be registered on any state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.

  • You cannot be convicted of murder.

• Insurable driving record and a valid driver’s license.

• Essential physical functions include the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, climb, balance, reach with hands & arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl on a frequent basis, and lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.

• Field investigation involves considerable walking over rough, rocky surfaces, some bending and stretching. Average physical dexterity and ability are required. Fieldwork is performed in all weather conditions, occasionally in mountainous terrain. Sometimes primitive facilities must be used for extended periods.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist staff with a variety of archeological field and office work to gain knowledge in skills, techniques and procedures. 

• Serve as a field led to conduct field reconnaissance searches in areas planned for activities such as timber harvest, trails management, wildlife habitat improvement, road constructions, and recreational development.

• Complete pre-field record searches (previous sites, previous surveys, Land Patent Searches, Aerial Photos, etc.)

• Lead and plan field reconnaissance surveys to standard.

• Record sites to standard using a variety of different field methods (FieldMaps, site plans, site forms, paper maps, etc.).

• Write small-to-mid size compliance reports.

• Complete data management for cultural resource records/reports, and GIS mapping.

• Research and examine historical records to understand history, social structure, and living conditions of past cultures which inhabited the area.

• Assist staff with conducting field investigations as part of a Forest-wide classification and protection program to be incorporated in long-range management plans.

• Track miles of trail improved and acres of land improved, along with other notable project work, for biweekly RMYC reports.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.

• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 

• Appropriately represent the U.S Forest Service to the public and partners at all times.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.

• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

MINIMUM/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Archeology/Anthropology or similar field.

• At least 3-5 years of professional work experience in Archaeology.

• Knowledge of:

  • Theories, principles, and concepts of archeology, including reconnaissance, evaluation, and basic field survey procedures to conduct reconnaissance and surveys.

  • Federal and state legislation and policies pertaining to the protection of cultural and historical sites.

  • The various cultures and ethnic groups who inhabited the region in past periods to evaluate archeological findings and conduct surveys.

  • Interpersonal relations skills and principles to serve as a member of teams performing archeological work.

  • Communication techniques to exchange information and present findings and recommendations.

To apply, please submit an application to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps application portal at https://youthcorps.org/apply-now including a resume and cover letter.

Rocky Mountain Youth Corps is available to all and we will not discriminate or refuse services to any staff or member because of perceived or actual race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, military service or pregnancy.

 RMYC is a drug free workplace. All positions are dependent upon funding availability.