Individual Placement - Cultural Resources Participant

Position Summary 

Cultural resources participant working with the Cultural Resources Team in the Environmental Stewardship Section of the Willamette Valley Project, managing cultural resources around 13 Oregon lakes. Duties include surveying and documenting cultural resources, historical research, archiving historical media, and supporting Corps public outreach efforts.

The cultural resources participant will work with the Cultural Resources Team in the Environmental Stewardship Section of the Willamette Valley Project (WVP) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. WVP is a major water resource project responsible for operating 13 dams and managing natural and cultural resources and recreation in the lakes and surrounding lands. We manage nearly 50,000 acres in the Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam watersheds. The Environmental Stewardship section is known for our community partnerships in natural and cultural resource preservation and restoration.

Hosting Organization

Willamette Valley Project

The participant will report daily to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office, 26275 Clear Lake Rd, Junction City, OR 97448. The intern will be responsible for finding her/his own housing – no government housing is available. The intern must own a vehicle to reliably get to and from the field office. Field sites may include any of the 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Project, and the position may occasionally require the intern to use their personal vehicle (miles reimbursable) during work hours.

Location 

Junction City, OR

• This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception maybe limited, spotty, or not available.
• This position may conduct work in an urban setting where emergency services, public transportation, and cell phone reception are readily accessible. Interactions with members of the public are regular and frequent.

Schedule 

February 8, 2027 - February 4, 2028

One intern will serve a 52-week (12 month) term of service with a flexible start date.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The participant will assist with conducting cultural resource surveys and completing documentation, public outreach efforts, historic research, and archiving historic records. Cultural resource survey support includes monitoring and documenting archaeological and built resources, conducting background research, and compiling and mapping data for archaeological reports. Public outreach support includes developing presentations, pamphlets, and curriculum for public consumption to learn about Willamette Valley cultural resources and how the public can protect and preserve them. The participant would also participate in outreach events aimed at children, young adults, and adults. Archival work and research include organizing, cataloging, reviewing metadata, and scanning historic dam construction photos and related documents. In general, the intern will learn about pre-contact archaeological sites, Traditional Cultural Properties, and historic resources such as relocated towns, roads, and railroads, and homesites that are present in the Willamette Valley Project. Additional tasks include field support for natural resource programs, such as botany, wildlife biology, boundary surveys and park operations.

Marginal Duties 

• General office support — assisting with filing, organizing shared drives, preparing meeting materials, or updating internal tracking spreadsheets.
• Event logistics assistance — helping set up outreach booths, assembling educational materials, or coordinating supplies for public programs.
• Light field prep — preparing survey kits, charging GPS units, organizing maps, or staging equipment for cultural or natural resource field days.
• Visitor interaction — answering general questions at public events or providing basic information about cultural resource protection.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in anthropology, archaeology, cultural resources management, archival or museum studies, architectural history, GIS, or other closely related field
• Experience or training with ESRI GIS programs (such as ArcPro, FieldMaps)
• Experience with spreadsheet and word processing programs (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and willingness to use your personal computer to conduct office/data entry work
• Ability to work outdoors in remote settings and inclement weather
• Ability to work well independently and as a team
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs (daypack/bags of equipment)
• Ability to navigate by maps, aerial photos, compass, and GPS
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail
• A positive attitude
• Willingness to work a 40-hour work week with daily shifts ranging from 8-10 hours. Shifts may occasionally increase to 12 hours or be conducted on the weekends
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to report on time to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office

Preferred Qualifications 

• Professional experience in anthropological, archaeological, archival/museum studies, or cultural resources management position
• Professional experience utilizing GIS programs to manage data, create maps, and navigate when in the field
• Experience writing or compiling technical reports and site forms
• Experience in conducting cultural resources fieldwork

Hours 

40 per week

The participant will work full-time for the entire 52-weeks.

Living Accommodations 

The participant will report daily to the USACE Fern Ridge Lake office, 26275 Clear Lake Rd, Junction City, OR 97448. The participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing. No government housing is available. The participant must own a vehicle to reliably get to and from the field office. Field sites may include any of the 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Project, and the position may occasionally require the participant to use their personal vehicle (miles reimbursable) during work hours.

Compensation  

• $960 weekly allowance (includes living expenses, commuting allowance, and housing allowance)
• $2,000 duty travel and equipment reimbursement
• One-time round-trip travel allowance of UP TO $650 for candidates who incur relocation expenses (not available for candidates who do not relocate)
• Optional Monthly Health Insurance Coverage (13 months)
• Interns may attend trainings, local workshops, or complete other online classes. 

The living allowance is subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a Federal government background check and driving record check.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Be able to complete or fulfill all partner driving requirements.  

Additional Benefits 

First Aid/CPR

Health Insurance (optional)

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.