SEPA Archaeologist (Commerce Specialist 3)

Description

Schedule: Working hours are typically 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. Flexible/hybrid schedules may available with approval. You may be required to report to the physical office as needed for occasional meetings and trainings.

What you will be doing:
As a state expert in archaeology, you will function independently while interacting with administrative and other personnel in the department, public agencies, tribes, private consultants, and the general public. You will be responsible for administering and making independent decisions on State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Governor's Executive Order 21-02 reviews as they pertain to effects to the state's historic and prehistoric archaeological sites.

A little bit about us:
The cultural and historic resources of a community tell the story of its past, a past that makes any single community distinct from all other places. From lumber mills to schools, sacred landscapes to archaeological sites, rustic cabins to office towers, our historic and cultural resources provide everyone with a tangible link to persons and events that have shaped our communities and ourselves. Preserving these physical reminders of our past creates a sense of place, the result being an environment that instills civic pride and community spirit.

By preserving significant cultural and historic resources, we are able to learn from past achievements (as well as mistakes) in order to improve, enrich, and even enliven, the Washington state that is passed to future generations. To learn more about the vision and role of historic preservation in the State of Washington, download our current Statewide Historic Preservation Plan(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader).

Why Work For DAHP:
- Protect the Past to Shape the Future!
The cultural and historic resources of a community tell the story of its past, a past that makes any single community distinct from all other places. Our historic and cultural resources provide everyone with a tangible link to persons and events that have shaped our communities and ourselves. Preserving these physical reminders of our past creates a sense of place, the result being an environment that instills civic pride and community spirit.

By preserving significant cultural and historic resources, we can learn from past achievements (as well as mistakes) to improve, enrich, and even enliven, the Washington state that is passed to future generations. By not preserving, we stand to lose the already tenuous grasp we have of past accomplishments, traditions, and values. If we do not work to preserve the diminishing presence of our historic places, we undermine the stability and strength of our future communities.

In addition to a comprehensive benefits package we also offer:

• Flexible schedule/hybrid option
• Growth and development opportunities
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster bringing authentic selves to work.
• A Wellness Program that offers work-life balance and self-care activities.

If you are interested in a wide variety of duties and enjoy prioritizing, organizing, and engaging with people, this may be for you! As a small agency, we must wear a variety of hats, so every day is a little different. We offer a work-life balance, flexible schedules, remote work options, and a workplace culture of growth and connection. If you are passionate about Pacific Northwest History and Archaeology, this may be what you've been waiting for!

Duties

Working conditions: You will be in the DAHP office, outdoors on construction sites, or in the field and they will be exposed to a construction or road project conditions. Safety equipment will have to be worn as the conditions dictate. Working hours could vary due to the project being examined.

Some of what you'll do includes:

• Conducts complex reviews of project impacts to cultural resources on behalf of the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) under the purview of SEPA and SMA.
• Uses independent judgment to make determinations and recommendations on potential effects to cultural resources affected by a proposed project or land use actions.
• Works with archaeologists, tribal representatives, industry and developers to ensure protection or removal of cultural resources. Works collaboratively and cooperatively with tribal governments, developers, archaeologists, and planners, to develop solutions to complex identification, avoidance, treatment, and mitigation measures.
• Organize and promote training sessions specifically for local planning officials, archaeological consultants, state agencies, and the general public and may participate as a presenter or facilitator when appropriate.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:
Must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for Archaeology.

Professional qualifications for this position include a graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus:

• Valid driver's license, free from serious traffic violations;
• At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration, or management;
• At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archaeology; and
• Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.

DESIRED:

• Familiarity with GIS based platforms.
• Experience consulting with Tribes in the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience building relationships with stakeholder groups and organizations / agencies.
• Adaptability to process improvement and dynamically changing workplace environments.
• Expertise in archaeological field methods and theory.
• Advanced knowledge of laws and regulations as they apply to archaeological properties.
• Advanced understanding of traditional cultural properties.

Supplemental Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered, failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing why you are the best candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
• A current resume or vita detailing experience, and education;
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

NOTE: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All:
The DAHP celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

If you have questions about the online application contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or jobs@des.wa.gov.

Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.