Archaeologist - Assistant Project Leader - LTE

Position Summary

The Assistant Project Leader, performs professional archaeologist duties under close to general supervision. The position is responsible for the completion of short-term projects, or assists a Project Leader, in the planning, designing, and executing of archaeological field research under direction of the WHS Museum Archaeology Program Field Coordinator. The Assistant Project 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. This position is responsible for assisting the project leader in making recommendations regarding the impacts on archeological properties and burial sites from proposed construction projects in the state of Wisconsin. The Assistant Project Leader may participate and contribute in the development of survey methodologies and mitigation documentation including but not limited to 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.

Duties:

Assist Project Leader in conduct field research to locate, evaluate and recover data of archaeological and human burial sites.

• Conduct archaeological monitor, survey and excavation under the direction of a project leader, following standard archaeological techniques and methods, and in accordance with the Wisconsin Archeological Survey guidelines.
• Maintain field notes, maps and other field documentation as required by professional standards and Program policies.
• Guide field research staff during archaeological field research and provide on-site training in field methods and techniques as needed.
• Guide field research staff in completion of field records, maps, photographs and other research documentation in accordance with Program procedures, along with completion of field staff project related financial records.
• Assist 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.
• Interview avocational archaeologists regarding the archaeological resources of the region and project areas.
• Conduct research using historical documents and public records pertaining to historical cultural resources as needed.

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 and/or assist in the preparation of project documentation including but not limited to Archaeological Site Inventory forms, Archeology Field Survey
• Report forms, technical reports, and letter reports summarizing field research according to professional standards and Program policies. Reports and forms to be completed according to assigned schedule.
• Assist project leader in the guidance to LTE lab technicians and assistants in the analysis of artifacts and samples.

Participation in the administration and planning for the Museum Archaeology Program

• Serve on Museum Archaeology Program committees.
• Attend Society, Division and Program staff meetings, as the field schedule permits.
• Attend relevant State, Agency and Professional training.
• Guide field research staff in timely and accurate completion and submittal of personal timesheets, expense reporting forms, and daily/monthly fleet vehicle report forms

Salary Information

Pay range is $19.00 - $22.00 per hour. This classification is in schedule and class 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 seasonal Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and limited to 1,039 hours. This position will be full time during the season and average 40 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.

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

• Required Bachelor's degree in archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation or closely related field.
• Archaeological field research experience and ability to identify archaeological artifacts.
• Working knowledge of, and experience with, professional research methods, field and laboratory techniques appropriate to archaeological survey and excavation.
• Working knowledge of federal and state historic preservation laws and statutes including NHPA.
• Working knowledge with Wis. Stats. 44.40 and 157.70 preferred.
• Working knowledge of professional, federal and state archaeological standards, guidelines and practices.
• General familiarity with related fields such as geomorphology, zooarchaeology, paleo-ethnobotany, history, historical architecture, ethnography, etc.
• General familiarity with museum collection curation, conservation, and cataloguing practices for archaeological materials and documentation.
• 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.
• Ability to carry research to completion; to conduct research, to write reports, and to follow the process through to completion in a timely manner.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering/construction plans, topographical maps, aerial photographs, historical plats and atlas.
• Ability to guide and direct the work of an archaeological field crew.
• Ability to routinely be away from home for up to two weeks and to independently travel throughout the state on short notice.
• 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 Project 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).

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 will be accepted until the position is filled.