Outreach Notice: Permanent Full-Time GS-193-9 Archaeologist


FLAGSTAFF RANGER DISTRICT, COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST,

Flagstaff, Arizona

Cool Archaeology in the Cool Pines…..

Major Duties:

This position serves as a Project Archaeologist for the Flagstaff Ranger District. This position is predominantly responsible for assisting the District archaeologist in the identification, protection, management, and interpretation of archaeological sites across the district. Core duties will consist of archaeological survey, site recording, report writing, report review, data management, and site monitoring. These duties are generally tiered toward NHPA compliance for District and Forest-wide projects.

Field work is often rigorous and takes place in rugged terrain, ranging from 3000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. The incumbent is expected to coordinate and conduct archaeological field surveys for a variety of projects; however, the position is targeted to focus on Four Forest Restoration Initiative projects (large-scale fuels reduction project) and Arizona Public Service (public utility) projects. The incumbent is also expected to take a proactive role in the protection of cultural resources during all fire management actions.

Competitive candidates must be able to demonstrate:

-Knowledge of archaeological methods and theory

-Proficiency in archaeological fieldwork

-Strong NHPA/NEPA skills

-Strong GIS and database management skills

-Proficient problem solving skills, particularly as they apply to technology

Strong communication and writing skills are also essential. The person in this position will write National Historic Preservation Act clearances, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specialist’s reports, and the person will participate as cultural resource specialist on Interdisciplinary NEPA teams. The person will also periodically assist with tribal consultation including Hopi, Navajo, Yavapai, and Zuni Tribes. While knowledge of local history is not required, a general understanding of Southwestern cultural history should be demonstrated.

The position will be based at the Flagstaff Ranger District Office, located in Flagstaff, Arizona. Although the position is based at the Flagstaff District Office, trips between the district and Supervisor’s Office, also in Flagstaff, will be frequent.

About the Forest and District:

The Coconino National Forest consists of three Ranger Districts covering approximately 1.8 million acres. The Forest is located in Northern Arizona and is characterized by a broad plateau of ponderosa pine bounded to the south by the rocky slot canyons of the Mogollon Rim and, which then transitions into the Upper Sonoran desert area of the Verde Valley. The Flagstaff District is largest and most northern district, encompassing over 850,000 acres, including the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountains in Arizona.

The Flagstaff District has approximately 6,000 recorded cultural properties, and is well known for its richness of prehistoric puebloan archaeological sites. These sites are most often associated with ancestral Hopi peoples, ascribed by archaeologists as the Sinagua culture (AD 700 to about 1300). Pit houses, masonry lined field houses, and masonry pueblos are common Sinagua site types. There are also many historic sites including historic cabins, ranger stations, historic roads, (including Route 66) and railroad lines. Information about several premier archaeological sites on the district can be found at:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/coconino/learning/history-culture

The archaeology of the Coconino National Forest was pivotal toward the creation of the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) in Flagstaff. As such, ties with MNA and researchers at various universities remain strong. The forest also sponsors archaeological research from students at Northern Arizona University.

The district has a strong volunteer program that performs archaeological monitoring, reconnaissance, and section 110 inventories. The district also assists in managing the Elden Pueblo Project, a public archaeology project involving the Flagstaff Public Schools.

There are plenty of sunny days in northern Arizona, but winters can be cold and snowy, with lows between 0 and 20 degrees above zero and snow cover for 2-3 months. Summers are generally warm--70 to 80 degrees at higher elevations, 90+ degrees in the lower elevation areas. Most of the precipitation falls as snow in the winter, or during the summer monsoon season which extends from July to September.

More information about the Coconino National Forest can be found at:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino


About the Community:

Flagstaff is located at the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, and is the largest city in Northern Arizona. As a mid-sized city, Flagstaff has approximately 80,000 people living in and around it. The city is also the regional center and county seat for Coconino County, the second largest county in the 48 contiguous states. It is nestled at the base of the San Francisco Peaks and surrounded by one of the largest pine forests on earth. At nearly 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is also one of the highest elevation cities of its size in the United States.

Flagstaff is home to Northern Arizona University, the Musuem of Northern Arizona, and Lowell Observatory. There is a vibrant downtown and numerous cultural events within town and in surrounding areas.

Recreation opportunities include many hunting opportunities for both small and large game such as deer, elk, turkey, squirrel and many others. Small lakes are stocked annually with trout and provide fishing opportunities in the immediate area of Flagstaff and Williams. Three national monuments are within ½ hour drive, and the Grand Canyon is 1½ hours to the north.

There is no government housing available in Flagstaff. Housing in Flagstaff is expensive when compared to the rest of the state. Apartment rentals range from $600-1200. House rentals generally exceed $1000/month. The medium price for a house is $260,000.

For more information about Flagstaff visit:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Flagstaff-Arizona.html

For More Information and how to apply:

If you are interested in this position, please submit the attached outreach response form by March 8, 2013 to Jeremy Haines,

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If you would like more information about this position, please contact Jeremy Haines, District Archaeologist, at 928-527-8261 or

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Permanent Full-Time GS-193-9 Archaeologist

Respond by: March 8, 2013

Name:

E-mail Address:

Mailing Address:

Telephone Number: Work Home:

Agency Employed with: USFS BLM Other

Type of appointment: Permanent _____ Temporary _____ Term _____ VRA _____

PWD ______Other ______

Current Region/Forest/District:

Current Series and Grade:

Current Position/Title:

If not a current permanent (career or career conditional) employee, are you eligible to be hired under any of the following special authorities:

____ Persons with Disabilities

____ Veteran Readjustments

____ Disabled Veteran w/30% Compensable Disability

____ Veteran Employment Opportunities Act of 1998

____ Former Peace Corp Volunteer

____ Pathways Program (Formerly Student Career Experience Program)

____ Other please explain: ______

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR VACANCY

“The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer”

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2/11/2013