BLM Archaeological Technician Intern - Amarillo, TX

Start/End Date: March 15, 2021 – March 11, 2022 (anticipated)

Salary: $500/week (+Education Award)

Term: 52 weeks

Reports To: Carolyn Russell (BLM-Oklahoma Assistant Field Manager, Resources)

Location: Cross Bar Management Area (CBMA) of Amarillo Field Office (801 South Fillmore, Suite 500, Amarillo, TX 79101)

Status: 1700-hour AmeriCorps Service Term, Full-time, Seasonal, Exempt (85% field work and 15% office work)

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award $6,195, Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the internship. The Corps Network health insurance provided by Cigna, AmeriCorps child care assistance. 

This position is located at the Bureau of Land Management Cross Bar Management Area (CBMA) in Amarillo, Texas. The CBMA is under the direction and supervision of the Oklahoma Field Office (OFO). The intern serves in the archaeological technician position and will work closely with the OFO’s cultural resources staff and natural resources staff. The intern will work in an interdisciplinary team setting with OFO resource specialists to determine the most effective strategies to managing cultural resource sites. The intern will assist with the overall OFO cultural resources program while learning about cultural resource management practices, BLM organization, CBMA and Texas Panhandle histories, as well as develop technical skills for archaeological practice. This would be done by conducting all aspects of field survey (often independently) and reporting, managing spatial data for a variety of projects that involve cultural resource inventories, compiling and interpreting collected information, and cultural resource record management. This internship may provide professional development opportunities. The intern will be responsible for providing their own field clothing and gear (e.g. pants, shirts, hat, field pack, compass, trowels); the BLM will provide the appropriate field equipment (e.g. shovels, screens, camera, GPS unit).

·        Assist the Oklahoma Field Office archaeologists in conducting all aspects of field survey and reporting.

·        Assist the Oklahoma Field Office archaeologists in creating, editing, and attributing geospatial data that involve cultural resource inventories. 

·        Assist with the review of cultural resource inventories to identify data gaps in geospatial representations.

·        Assist with general data cleanup/quality control, and maintenance of the Oklahoma Field Office’s cultural resources data.

·        Digitize or geo-reference spatial products.

·        Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a related field.

·        Minimum 1 year of experience in a related field or specific duty as outlined above.

·        Applicant must have strong written and oral skills, be proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, familiarity working with ArcGIS, ArcPro, and Collector.

·        Applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, have experience working as part of a team, be able to work well with others in a professional setting, and be self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision after the initial training period.

·        An understanding of federal land resource management policies, including the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

·        Applicants must pass a DOI security background check and should possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 

·        Master’s degree or completing post-graduate education in one of the academic fields listed above.

·        Teamwork oriented with clear, direct communication and interpersonal skills. 

 

·        To successfully perform essential functions in the field, the individual will be required to perform physical activities such as bending, walking, and shovel-testing in terrain that is rough, rocky, and densely vegetated. The individual will be required to lift and carry equipment (up to 50 pounds) necessary to efficiently perform the work of the position, and to provide for personal comfort and safety. This may include tools, personal protective equipment, food and water for extended periods of work away from vehicles. In the field, the individual may be exposed to extremes in temperatures ranging from -10 degrees to +100 degrees.

·        To successfully perform essential functions in the office, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. The individual must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

·        Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

·        Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 

·        Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

·        Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 

·        Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 

 

·        Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance.

·        Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. 

·        Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 

·        Respond appropriately to stress or crises.

·        If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

 

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. This process will determine the internship’s exact start date.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety. 

·        In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. 

Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application through the external application link. If you have questions, contact CCNM’s Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

 

For more information about Conservation Corps New Mexico, please visit www.corpsnm.org. Conservation Corps New Mexico is a program of Conservation Legacy.