ASSISTANT ARCHAEOLOGIST PROJECT LEADER (PART-TIME, LTE)

Introduction

The Wisconsin State Historical Society, considered one of the nation's finest historical institutions, is a State of Wisconsin government agency as well as a mission-driven entrepreneurial organization. The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. At its core, the Society believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit. The Society's values are to Embrace a Spirit of Service, Engage our Expertise, Spark Enthusiasm, Cultivate Inclusion, Exceed Expectations, and Think Big and Grow with Purpose. Its collections, historic sites and museums, historic preservation office and extensive educational programs are focused on enriching and transforming lives through unparalleled access to history. Wisconsin Historical Society believes that increasing the public's knowledge of history has profound societal, cultural, and economic benefit.

Click HERE for more information about working at the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Position Summary

This position performs professional archaeologist duties. The incumbent is responsible for the completion of short term projects, or assists a Project Leader, in the planning, designing, and executing of archaeological field research in coordination with the WHS Museum Archaeology Program Field Coordinator, and under the direction of the Program Director. The Assistant Crew Leader guides and directs a LTE field crew on short term projects, or when the Project Leader is not present. The incumbent conducts research, identifies and analyzes artifacts and samples, prepares documents and technical illustrations, and writes technical reports. He/she makes recommendations regarding the impacts on archeological properties from proposed construction projects in the state of Wisconsin. He/she participates in the development of survey methodologies and mitigation documentation including Determinations of Eligibility and Data Recovery Plans under 36 CFR 800. 8, Regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Governing the Section 106 Review Process.

Due to the nature of archaeological field work, this position has certain basic physical requirements. Incumbents performing field work must be able to lift and carry a minimum of 40 pounds, walk up to 15 miles per day over uneven terrain and perform vigorous physical labor under a variety of environmental conditions. Employees must inform their supervisors of any physical conditions, including allergies, which would be aggravated by or pose a problem in performing field work or any of the other tasks listed below. The nature of limited term appointment indicates that the work is temporary or the number of hours is limited on a daily, weekly, or annual basis. Positions are allocated to this LTE classification only when the level of independence, judgment, variety and repetitive nature of the tasks involved are not best described in another classification.

Duties

Assist Project Leader to conduct field research to locate, evaluate and conduct data recovery at archaeological sites.

* Maintain field notes, maps and other field documentation as required by professional standards and Program policies.
* Guide and direct LTEs during archaeological field research, and in completion of their project financial records and routine equipment maintenance.
* Guide and direct LTEs in completion of field records, maps, photographs and other research documentation in accordance with Program procedures.
* Provide assistance to the project leader in logistical arrangements facilitating field research.
* Independently conduct landowner interviews for the purpose of obtaining permission to conduct fieldwork and to obtain information regarding sites and/or artifact.
Assist Project Leader to identify, analyze and interpret archaeological materials, and prepare technical reports required for compliance with state and federal legislation.

* Conduct professional research and analysis of archaeological material, historical documentation, and data generated during field investigations.
* Maintain research and analysis notes, maps, photographs, and all other appropriate documentation as required by professional standards and Program policies.
* Prepare Archaeological Site Inventory forms, Archeology Field Survey Report forms, technical reports for the Report of Archaeological Investigations series, and National Register of Historic Places nomination forms according to professional standards and Program policies and under the direction of the Project Leader for review by the Program Director and Field Coordinator. Reports and forms to be completed according to assigned schedule.
* Provide guidance to LTE lab technicians and assistants in the analysis of artifacts and samples.
* Insure that all artifacts and documents pertaining to archaeological collections are submitted to the Program Laboratory Coordinator at the completion of the analysis and report preparation.

Salary Information

Pay range is $17.60 - $18.00 per hour. This classification is in schedule and range 13-04.

Please note this is a Limited Term Employment position so it does not include paid time off or benefits upon hire.

Job Details

A criminal background check will be conducted by WHS prior to an offer of employment to determine if the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and limited to 1,039 hours. This position will be part time and average 20 hours per week.

Wisconsin residency is required for Limited Term Employment positions.

Limited Term Employment (LTE) positions are not civil service classified positions, do not give any rights to permanent civil service classified positions and do not lead to permanent status.

WHS does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.

Certain positions within WHS may allow remote/work from home flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process.

All state employees are required to report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not, and must provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.

Qualifications

All Museum Archaeology Program projects are supported with public funds in accordance with federal preservation legislation (under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) and/or state preservation legislation (s.44.40 Wis. Stats.; s.157.70 Wis. Stats.). The Archeology Assistant Crew Leader conducts research under the direction of the Program Director, Field Coordinator and Project Leader, and as such is not required to meet the minimum qualifications established in Archaeology and Historic Preservation; Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines (36 C.F.R. Part 61).
1. Extensive course work in anthropology, archaeology, archaeological field techniques, and at least one year of field experience.
2. Knowledge of archaeology, in general, and the archaeology of the Upper Great Lakes Region in particular.
3. Knowledge of, and experience with, professional research methods, field and laboratory techniques appropriate to archaeological survey and excavation.
4. Knowledge of federal and state historic preservation laws and statutes including NHPA, ARPA, NAGPRA, 44.40 Wis. Stats. And 157.70 Wis. Stats.
5. Knowledge of and experience with professional, federal and state archaeological standards, guidelines and practices.
6. General familiarity with related fields such as geomorphology, zooarchaeology, paleo-ethnobotany, history, historical architecture, ethnography, etc.
7. General familiarity with museum collection curation, conservation, and cataloguing practices for archaeological materials and documentation.
8. Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse group which would include administrators, agency representatives, project coordinators, construction engineers, construction crews, media, property owners, professional and avocational archeologists, laboratory analysts, and museum professionals.
9. Ability to carry research to completion; to conduct research, to write reports, and to follow the process through to completion in a timely manner.
10. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering/construction plans, topographical maps, aerial photographs, historical plats and atlas.
11. Ability to guide and direct the work of an archaeological field crew of up to 10 people.
12. Ability to routinely be away from home for up to two weeks and to independently travel throughout the state on short notice.

How To Apply

Apply online! To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don't have an account. Once you are logged in, click "Apply for Job." Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your application and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process.

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

Questions can be directed to HR@wisconsinhistory.org.

Deadline to Apply

Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on November 20, 2021.