Archaeologist at Lake Mead

This position will be expected to learn and draw upon the following in order to accomplish project objectives:

• Ability to effectively work as a team member and manage an archaeology field crew of up to 6 crew members and volunteers in remote locations;
• Large-scale cultural resource survey experience;
• Cultural resource site recording, complete in field documentation and associated site records;
• Artifact identification and age/use interpretation;
• Navigate using topographic maps, compass, GPS unit;
• Ability to utilize ArcGIS software to build maps, organize and manage data, and manipulate data layers;
• Experience operating hand-held GPS or tablet for navigation and electronic field data collection; experience post-processing field data, a plus;
• Utilize Field Maps application with tablet for field site documentation;
• Accurate and detailed data entry into variety of databases;
• Ability to write reports summarizing current field work, sites documented, previous survey;
• Work with current aerial photos, GIS, archival documents (historic maps and literature) to develop historic context;
• Knowledge of cultural resource management, including laws (National Historic Preservation Act) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria;
• Ability to implement field projects and maintain productivity with changing priorities and tight timelines;
• Accurately complete and submit forms and reports in a timely manner in support of SHPO and NHPA reporting requirements;
• Critically review data collection needs for cultural resource assessments and surveys;
• Critically identify and assess potential impacts on cultural resources;
• Backcountry navigation and driving on primitive roads with 4WD vehicles; and
• Backcountry camp for extended periods of time

Location
This Research Associate position will be based out of Boulder City, Nevada where the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters is located. It is a 20-minute drive from the city of Henderson which lies on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, in the transition of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, including mountains, canyons, valleys, and two vast lakes. It hosts 7.5 million visitors per year. From the mouth of the Grand Canyon, the park follows the Arizona-Nevada border along what was formerly 140 miles of the Colorado River. Opportunities for recreation abound.

Compensation

• Wage: $29.25 per hour
• Park housing is not available
• Benefits: Paid personal time off and federal holidays; paid health insurance premiums through Cigna Insurance (medical, dental, vision); 401(k) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match (fully vested on Day 01) through the Vanguard Network
• Camping Per Diem: $20/day (when applicable)
• Training opportunities

Timeline

• 12-month appointment beginning Fall 2024
• Full time (40 hours/week); some overtime and weekend work may occasionally be required

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, indigenous peoples studies, or closely related field, including an archaeological field school;
• Two years of previous, relevant field experience, including the ability to identify pre-contact and historic artifacts, surface features, and archaeological sites, document archaeological sites using GPS or tablet, write detailed notes describing artifacts, features, and other relevant information;
• Two year’s pedestrian survey experience, walking transects on uneven terrain with varying landforms;
• One year experience planning and implementing archaeological surveys based on project needs;
• One year experience mentoring, training, overseeing and critically reviewing the work of others;
• Experience using ArcGIS Pro to draft maps for survey reports and site forms;
• Conduct artifact analysis to determine temporal affiliation in the field or in the lab based on photographs;
• Experience writing reports summarizing survey methods and results;
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
• Ability 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;
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities with a positive attitude;
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented, possessing strong organizational skills to effectively plan and complete assigned workload within defined timelines;
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a diverse audience, including co-workers, Tribal member, members of the public, and agency personnel;
• Ability to work productively, consistently, and independently or cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using Field Maps application and a tablet to collect field data;
• Prior experience writing historic context and Section 110 survey reports.
• Prior experience working in the desert southwest, or similar desert climates.
• Knowledge of cultural history within the greater Southwest region, southern Nevada, northwest Arizona.