Archaeology Lead at Lake Mead NRA

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), is recruiting a Lead Archaeologist to join the Cultural Resource Services (CRS) Program. The associate will work under the direction of the Cultural Resource Program Manager to provide leadership for the park’s Archaeology Program by participating in and overseeing archaeological field work, archaeological reporting, in-field artifact analysis, data processing and management. 

• Knowledge of cultural resource management, including National Historic Preservation Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria;
• Accurately complete and submit forms and reports in a timely manner in support of SHPO and NHPA reporting requirements;
• Ability to implement field projects and maintain productivity with changing priorities and tight timelines;
• Leadership experience, attention to detail, effective organization, and time management skills;
• Assess and address safety hazards;
• Ability to oversee and critically review the work of others in order to meet quality standards and project timelines;
• Critically review data collection needs for cultural resource assessments and surveys;
• Critically review projects plans to identify and assess potential impacts on cultural resources;
• Ability to effectively work as a leader and a team member, and manage an archaeology field crew of up to 6 crew members and volunteers in remote locations;
• Large-scale or complex cultural resource survey;
• Cultural resource site recording, in field documentation and associated site records;
• 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;
• 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 and historic aerial photos, GIS, archival documents (historic maps and literature) to develop historic context;
• Back country navigation and driving on primitive roads with 4WD vehicles; and
• Back country 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. 

Compensation

• Wage: $35 per hour
• Park housing is not available

Benefits

• Paid health insurance premiums through Cigna Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Paid personal time off and paid federal holidays
• Field per diem for any required overnight camping stays $20/day (when applicable)
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match (fully vested on Day 01)
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD & D Insurance
• Pro gear/equipment deals through various companies and websites
• Training opportunities

Timeline

• 12-month appointment beginning September 2025
• Full time (40 hours/week); some overtime and weekend work may occasionally be required

Qualifications:

•    Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, indigenous peoples studies, or closely related field, including an archaeological field school;
•    One year experience authoring reports, letters, maps, and other compliance documents in support of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act;
•    Familiarity with the National Environmental Policy Act, use of Categorical Exclusions, and other associated laws (Clean Air, Clean Water, Endangered Species Act);
•    Four 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 years pedestrian survey experience, walking transects on uneven terrain with varying landforms;
•    Two years 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, site forms, append GPS data into geodatabase;
•    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.