Archaeology Crew Lead- Lassen National Forest

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting one (1) Archaeology Crew Lead to complete Section 106 cultural resource surveys, site recording, and monitoring for various projects within the Lassen 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 protects sensitive cultural sites, helping ensure the stories they tell are preserved for generations to come.

The Archaeology Crew Lead position 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; and increased technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., forestry, wildlife, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. This position will serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources. In addition, this crew lead will support cultural resources work related to forest-wide recovery efforts following the Dixie Fire.

The Archaeology Crew Lead will perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Leads will be responsible for crew safety and oversight, provide or assist in training, and communicate with agency and GBI staff as needed. Crew size will range between 2-6 people. Primary archaeology field duties include, but are not limited to:

• Lead archaeology crew to conduct and 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;
• Lead and collaborate with agency personnel and all other crew members to support field safety, communication, planning, logistics, quality assurance, field implementation, and reporting efforts.

This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide Archaeology Crew Leads with rewarding exposure to some of California’s backcountry forested landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in steep terrain at high altitudes (5,000-9,000 ft.) with heavy packs 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.

LOCATION: 
Lassen National Forest is a total of 1.2 million acres or 1,875 square miles. It lies within seven counties; Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, and Modoc.

The lands that make up the Lassen National Forest were home to many Native Americans long before recorded history, and these peoples still live and work in the surrounding areas. They were removed from their traditional homelands starting in the mid-1800s, and remained largely homeless until a series of appropriations were passed between 1906 and 1910 that provided funds to purchase small tracts of land in central and northern California for landless Indians of those areas, resulting in the Rancheria System in California. These Rancherias did not maintain the integrity of the existing tribes, and instead put any Native Americans in a geographic area together, regardless of their tribal identity. Many of these Rancherias still exist in the form of both federally and non- federally recognized tribes, and include the Greenville Rancheria, Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, Pit River Tribe, Redding Rancheria, Susanville Indian Rancheria, Reno Sparks Indian Colony, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada, Mooretown Rancheria, Maidu Summit Consortium and Conservancy, Tasmam Koyom Foundation, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, and the Hanylekim/Honey Lake Maidu. These Rancherias typically are made up of members of multiple tribes, including but not limited to: The 11 autonomous bands of the Pit River Tribe, the Northern, Central, and Southern Yana, Maidu, Paiute, Washoe, Wintu, Shoshone, and the Nomlaki. The Yahi Yana were also once present on Lassen National Forest lands, but the last surviving member of that tribe - Ishi - died in 1916.

It is an area of great variety, greeting visitors and residents alike with a wide array of recreational opportunities and adventures. Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, bicycling, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and just exploring and learning about nature are among the many popular pastimes.

Within the Lassen National Forest you can explore a lava tube or the land of Ishi, the last survivor of the Yahi Yana Native American tribe; watch pronghorn antelope glide across sage flats or an osprey snatch fish from lake waters; drive four-wheel trails into high granite country appointed with sapphire lakes or discover spring wildflowers on foot.

CONTRACT TIMELINE: 
Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions and individual projects: Tentatively June-November.
Projects are weather dependent and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: 

• Wage: $30/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, 40 hours per week;
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance premiums 100% paid by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment;
• Shared housing may be provided;
• Camping Per Diem: $15/night;
• Uniform Stipend.