The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LAKE), is recruiting an Archaeological Technician to join the Research Associate (RA) Program. The RA will work under the direction of the Park Archaeologist and Cultural Resource Manager to assist with archaeological field work, museum work, lab analysis, data processing, and reporting throughout the park. Field work includes surveying for cultural resources, construction monitoring, recording and documenting cultural resources, condition assessments of known sites, and National Register of Historic Places eligibility assessments in support of Section 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act compliance and research projects. The RA may act as field crew lead on some projects and would be a crew member on other projects. 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 2 to 4 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;
- Back country navigation and driving on primitive roads with 4WD vehicles; and
- Back country camp for extended periods of time.
Lab work is partially sedentary with prolonged standing, walking, and bending often required, as well as lifting and moving of heavy items weighing 40 pounds or more. Completing archaeological surveys in the southwest requires the physical endurance to walk over flat, uneven, sloped, rocky, or sandy terrain, work outside in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat or cool temperatures. Overnight camping for 4 to 8 days at a time in remote areas is possible. Some work areas are only accessible by boat, the RA must be comfortable riding in a boat for prolonged periods of time and can get on the boat from the shoreline and disembark from the boat onto the shoreline.
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: $22 per hour
- Housing stipend of $150 per bi-weekly paycheck
- Park housing is not available
- Benefits: Paid personal time off and paid federal holidays off; 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