Archaeology Member - Palm Springs South Coast Field Office

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, is seeking ONE Archaeology Member to contribute to archaeology projects alongside Bureau of Land Management staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: January 2024 *pending federal background check*

Estimated End Date: 14 weeks after start date

*a 14-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Palm Springs, California office,

BLM California's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office ("PSSCFO") manages a complex variety of public lands: about 3.6 million acres. The office serves a diverse public: home to more than 22 million people and host to millions of annual visits. The PSSCFO boundaries stretch from the Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River and from the international border with Mexico to where the San Gabriel Mountains. Renewable energy, recreation, and conservation currently drive PSSCFO's multiple-use and sustained-yield programming. The office carries out the BLM mission by way of strong partnerships, including the most annual volunteer hours of any BLM California Field Office. PSSCFO's workload includes multiple utility-scale solar and wind projects, managing an ever-expanding number of public land visitors, facilitating existing infrastructure and other permitted uses and year-round operations to protect lives, property, and resources through robust and integrated fire and law enforcement programs. The office manages fourteen Wilderness areas, fourteen Areas of Critical Environmental Concern ("ACECs"), all or part of four National Monuments (Sand to Snow, Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, California Coastal, and Mojave Trails), three National Scenic and Historic Trails (the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail, and the historic Juan Bautista de Anza and Old Spanish trails) and a handful of vacant grazing allotments needing proper adjudication.

Project Websites: For more information regarding BLM Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, please visit California Desert District Office.

Position Overview:

• Gain experience and be mentored by staff Archaeologists on site and regional Archaeological/Cultural/tribal histories, trends and legacy of the desert Southwest, southern California and specifically in and around the Coachella Valley.
• Work closely with the Field Office Archaeologists conducting field surveying/monitoring for potential archaeological sites/artifacts where other resources professionals have identified the desire to install recreational signs/kiosks specific to OHV use.
• Learn and utilize specific Archaeological/Cultural monitoring protocols at sites where digging equipment is in operation to observe and report potential avoidance issues and report whether mitigation measures are appropriately implemented.
• Basic Archaeological/Cultural recordation, reporting, filing, organization and proper communication/correspondence related to government Archaeological/Cultural resource workload
• May be asked to support, experience other natural resources disciplines in the field, if time allows. Works at the direction of the Project Manager.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 5:00pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the Bureau of Land Management.

Housing Assistance: ACE members will be eligible for reimbursable housing assistance up to $200/week. The ACE Member will only be reimbursed for approved and demonstrated housing expenses.

Relocation Allowance: The ACE member will have access to NTE $600 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Members will have the opportunity to be mentored by Bureau of Land Management permanent staff in a variety of disciplines related to this role. Members can expect training and mentorship in landscape level planning, botany, invasive mitigation planning and techniques, data collection and reporting, among other things.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position should have a bachelor's degree in Anthropology/Archaeology or relevant professional experiences in closely related fields.
• Experience in documenting archaeological resources and cultural resource management in a professional position or field school, preferably in California and Mojave Desert and Great Basin Regions
• Experience with interpreting USGS topographic maps of various scales
• Familiarity with National Register and California Register Criteria for evaluating cultural resources
• Familiarity with documents approved by the California Office of Historic Preservation (CA OHP) such as DPR 523 forms, Archaeological resource Management Reports (ARMR)
• Experience using a GPS unit and the ability to learn ESRI ARCMap.
• General computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Experienced photographer (photo editing / Google Earth skills desirable).

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, potentially dangerous wildlife, and working in desert conditions. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact USFS/BLM Member Manager, Caris Hill at chill@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Archaeology Member Palm Springs South Coast Field Office Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC