Archaeology Crew Lead (USFS, Sequoia NF Kern River Ranger District

Archaeology Crew Lead (USFS, Sequoia NF Kern River Ranger District)

Kernville, CA

Salary Range $30.00 Hourly Position Type Seasonal Category Cultural Resources Services

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. These projects all serve GBI's Cultural Resources program's greater mission of helping the USFS in their critical goal of improving forest resilience in the face of worsening climate conditions and increased wildfire threats.

The work that you will do directly protects sensitive cultural sites, helping ensure the stories they tell are preserved for generations to come.

The Archaeology Crew Lead position provides professional development and leadership opportunities in cultural resource management including increased exposure and responsibility enacting USFS processes, procedures, and compliance measures; assisting in reporting and data entry/quality assurance and control; and increased technical experience. Expanded opportunities and exposure to additional disciplines (e.g., forestry, wildlife, hydrology, etc.) and projects may exist. This position will serve USFS vegetation management and fuels reduction efforts, supporting initiatives for healthy, productive, and resilient forest landscapes and resources.

The crew lead will also have the unique opportunity to work with a Tribal Monitor and learn from local tribes in the area. The Archaeology Crew Lead will perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project work. 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:

Kern River Ranger District, Kernville, CA

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.

The Sequoia National Forest is one of nineteen National Forests in California. It takes its name from the giant Sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves in the forest's lower elevation slopes. The Sequoia NF's landscape is as spectacular as its trees and consists of soaring granite monoliths, glacier-carved canyons, roaring whitewater, and more await your discovery at the Sierra Nevada's southern end.

Elevations range from 1,000 feet in the foothill region to peaks over 12,000 feet in the rugged high country, providing visitors with some of the most spectacular views of mountainous landscape in the entire West.

Project Timeline:

• Start and end dates may vary according to local conditions:
  Early August 2026 through November 2026
• Projects are weather dependent and there is always a chance the season will end earlier if weather prevents safe field operations.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Wage: $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.
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays;
• Access to Pro Deals;
• $250 Uniform Stipend;

Camping Per Diem: $30/night as necessary

Housing:
Shared housing provided.

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,…