Posted: Jun 4, 2025
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Archaeology Crew Lead (Sequoia NF, Kern River Ranger District)

The Great Basin Institute - Reno, NV
Temporary
Salary: $28.00 - $30.00 Hourly
Application Deadline: Jul 11, 2025
Archaeology

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the USFS, is recruiting an Archaeology Crew Lead to complete Section 106 and Section 110 cultural resource surveys, site recording, and monitoring for various projects within the Sequoia NF. 
 
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 2-4 people. Primary archaeology field duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead archaeology crew to conduct and complete field surveys in areas planned for forest projects 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 inputting 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.

Primary office duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Performing literature reviews and project background research.
  • Assisting with Section 106 and Section 110 reporting, including drafting project maps.
  • Drafting California DPR archeological site records, archeological site maps, and archeological sketch maps.
  • Assisting with GIS data management.

 

Location: 

The Forest Service, a federal agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers the Sequoia National Forest which consists of three ranger districts. The Giant Sequoia National Monument has two separate sections; the northern portion located on the Hume Lake Ranger District near Dunlap, California, and the southern portion on the Western Divide Ranger District just east of Springville, California. The Kern River Ranger District lies at the southern end of the forest near Lake Isabella.

Compensation & Benefits: 

  • Wage: $28-30/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate. Full time, average 40 hours per week.
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance premiums are covered 100% by GBI. Available on the first day of the month following the start of employment.
  • Shared housing provided;
  • Camping Per Diem: $15/night as necessary;
  • Uniform Stipend;
  • $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
  • Personal leave and holidays;
  • Access to Pro Deals;

Contract Timeline: 
Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions: Started May 27th- November 22nd. 
Projects are weather dependent and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology or related discipline, including relevant field methods training coursework AND two years of archaeology related field work;
  • Experience leading crews in the field, including oversight of crew safety, communication, fidelity to methods and data quality;
  • Proficiency in navigation using GPS, topographic map and compass;
  • Ability to recognize and record prehistoric and historic artifacts, features, and sites;
  • Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
  • 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. This may include occasionally overnight work & camping in remote areas for consecutive nights;
  • Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols;
  • Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other resources staff;
  • Strong communication skills with a diverse audiences, both written and oral;
  • Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, possibly including some weekends, nights, holidays;
  • Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, hike up to 10 miles a day, and withstand the rigors of a forested and/or high desert environment in all seasons. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America's backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from 750 - 10,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water 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.

Archaeology crew members must be able 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. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

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.