State Lands Archaeologist, Natural Resource Scientist 3 (NRSci3)

Copied from Washington State Department of Natural Resources job posting:

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 1/7/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Can you interpret the past to help guide future land management decisions? Does finding solutions to challenging projects inspire you? Will you be part of driving a positive organizational culture in a large and diverse state agency? If yes, apply to join our multidisciplinary stewardship team as the newest State Lands Archaeologist!

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeks to ensure that state trust lands are managed in collaboration with tribal nations and with respect for tribal sovereignty and reserved rights. To fulfill the responsibilities as the State Lands Archeologist, you will work closely with tribes, DNR regions, divisions and programs, and the executive staff to accomplish this collaborative goal.

In this position, you will provide professional cultural resources analysis and consultative services to resource managers and field staff throughout Washington State. You will conduct cultural resource desk and field reconnaissance; develop resource management and monitoring plans; train staff at all levels; and oversee survey, sample collection, field evaluation, and reporting work. You will coordinate with tribal representatives and state and federal agencies. You will produce and deliver teaching modules and collaborate on agency-level guidance and planning documents. You will assist with contract preparation and administration for cultural resource consultation services conducted by external entities.

You'll bring your substantial field experience and excellent project management skills to bear as one of four archaeologists responsible for cultural resource management on 3.1 million acres of state-managed uplands. Ingenuity and agility are ideal skills as you manage shifting priorities with multiple competing deadlines to meet agency commitments. You will effectively and positively communicate and network with internal staff from all regions, divisions, and executive management, as well as state, federal, and tribal agencies.

One of the best things about this job is the people you work with. The scientists of the DNR Forest Resources Division come from a variety of disciplines: ecology, forestry, wildlife biology, geography and spatial data management, geology, and more. We are dedicated to practicing sustainable land stewardship that provides conservation, recreation, and revenue opportunities throughout the state.

Given the diversity of Washington's landscapes and the breadth of the management solutions you will be responsible for coordinating, we are looking for an archaeological professional who is an adaptable generalist with considerable pedestrian survey experience. A successful applicant has at least five years of field and project management experience and must meet the state of Washington's standards for qualified professional archaeologists (WAC 25-48-020 (4)) and one or both parts of the Secretary of the Interior's professional qualification standards for archaeology (36 CFR Part 61). Preference will be given to applicants who meet the prehistoric archaeology standard or additional professional qualification standards in the related disciplines.

In your application materials, please demonstrate your understanding of and experience with GIS, cartography, technical writing, teaching, project management, and program development. This is a full-time, permanent, overtime-exempt position. It will require approximately 10-15 days away from the duty station per month, in addition to some overnight travel for fieldwork, meetings, conferences, and other events throughout the region. The duty Station is in Olympia, Washington, but locations in North Bend, Washington, or Sedro Wooley, Washington will also be considered.

Duties

Responsibilities:

• Identifying archaeological and cultural resources in the field, as well as effectively utilizing historic documentation and predictive models to guide field reconnaissance.
• Working collaboratively with project managers and communicating the landscape, historical, and cultural context of management recommendations.
• Understanding and staying current on federal, state, and agency guidance on cultural resource management.
• Thinking creatively and strategically while also meeting project deadlines.
• Communicating with inter-government partners in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
• Staying current and active in the field of archaeology, including representing DNR at regional and national conferences and professional journals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, cultural resource management, or a closely related field.
• At least 1 year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management.
• At least 1 year of work experience in archaeological research, administration, or management.
• At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state cultural resources laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archaeological field research methods and scientific report writing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state archaeological and historic inventory information, DAHP database.
• Demonstrated ability to identify archeological and cultural resources in the field and help design land management activities to minimize or avoid impacts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work closely with tribal governments and other tribal entities.
• Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• This position's assigned duty station is the Natural Resources Building, Olympia, WA. This position requires both office (60%) and fieldwork (40%). Assignments may occur in all DNR regions and may require overnight travel to all areas of the state. Position requires work on uneven broken terrain in various weather conditions using the necessary tools and equipment to conduct tasks.
• Overnight travel is required and is estimated to be 5-15% of the work year.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of DNR cultural resource-related programs, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of principles of training, contracting, negotiation, and planning.
• Knowledge of GIS systems and ability to read/create/display spatial information in ArcGIS.
• Experience using cultural resources predictive models.