Archaeology Technician - Tahoe National Forest

Archaeology Technician - Tahoe National Forest, American River Ranger District

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is seeking one archaeology technician to contribute to the Heritage program alongside Tahoe National Forest Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 4th, 2026 (05/04/2026)

Estimated End Date: October 1st, 2026 (10/01/2026)

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: American River Ranger District (Foresthill, California)

The Tahoe National Forest is located in the northern Sierra Nevada (east of Sacramento) and extends from the foothills across the Sierra crest to the California state line. It includes over 850,000 acres of public land interspersed with 350,000 acres of private land in a checkerboard ownership pattern. Rivers, snow-capped peaks and dense forests offer outstanding recreation year-round. A complex set of ecosystems are found as the terrain ascends from 1,500 feet along the western boundary to over 9,000 feet along the crest. The forest provides a variety of resources and opportunities and is managed by the Forest Service.

The American River Ranger District is located in Foresthill, California. Foresthill is a beautiful mountain community, located 17 miles east of Auburn and Interstate 80. Foresthill is surrounded on the south and west by the Auburn State Recreation Area, on the north by BLM lands, and on the east by National Forest. The American River Ranger District is distinguished with a portion of Granite Chief Wilderness, the North Fork American Wild River and Placer County Big Trees (northernmost grove of Giant Sequoias).

For more information about the American River Ranger District, please visit the Tahoe National Forest website.

Position Overview: The Archaeology Tech will support Forest Service initiatives by providing technical support to the heritage resource staff. Crew members are responsible for a variety of tasks, including participating in cultural resource inventory surveys, collecting and editing GIS data, adapting pedestrian survey strategies, preparing data for reports and completing site records, conducting data entry into the NRM heritage database, and completing additional tasks as determined by Forest Service staff. The purpose of the position is to serve as a field crew member for archaeological surveys. The crew member will assist the crew lead in ensuring work is accomplished within established standards and procedures.. The survey team will execute surveys in support of multiple Forest Service priority projects.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Project Tasks:

• Performs on-the-ground pedestrian surveys to locate and document surface historic and prehistoric cultural resources
• Prepare data to be included in cultural resource inventory reports and prepare site forms. Enter site and inventory information into the NRM cultural resource database, and onto GIS maps.
• Monitor cultural resource sites to ensure approved standard protection measures are implemented and adequate and document changes in site condition over time.
• Conduct inventories of Forest cultural resources in areas of proposed Forest Service projects. Researchers will reference materials such as State and National Register files, historic documents, archeological reports, maps and aerial photos
• Ensures that archeology work assignments are carried out in a safe and timely manner according to established standards and procedures
• Review work in progress to see that standards for pre-field research, survey design, site recording, graphics, and final report are being met
• Assists other members or FS staff on methods of cultural resource inventory

Schedule: Work schedule will be Mon-Thur 7:00am -5:30pm Pacific Time, reporting to the Tahoe National Forest's American River District Office in Foresthill daily. Schedule adjustments will be limited and granted upon approval of the District Archaeologist.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $920/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE. However, housing may be available at a daily bunk rate of approximately $7-20 per day by the Forest. Barracks housing provided by the Forest and are typically in remote locations with limited connectivity. A Housing Allowance of up to $280/week will be available. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Gear Allowance: New ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible gear purchases, and returning members or FS employees will have up to $250. Eligible gear for this position may include boots, work pants, hiking socks, and must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include Wilderness First Aid, and various USFS Required AgLearns courses. ACE members will have up to $500 to spend on eligible training/professional development opportunities, which must be approved by ACE and Forest Service staff prior to purchase.

Qualifications

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Anthropology, or a similar cultural/natural resource field and/or have relevant experience in archaeological fieldwork.
• Knowledge of the basic theories and practices of archaeology in order to compile technical reports and site records
• Knowledge of the techniques of archaeological reconnaissance in order to adapt survey strategies to identify a large variety of artifacts and features
• Practical knowledge with GIS
• Ability to perform library and archival research to locate and obtain pertinent background information
• Skill using a compass, aerial photos, topographic maps and GPS units to navigate survey areas and to locate/record sites
• Must be able to adhere to instructions, procedure and use initiative in carrying out assignments in accordance with the archaeological crew lead
• Experience recording historic and prehistoric cultural resources
• Ability and willingness to hike off trail in steep rocky terrain and in changing weather conditions.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to XX lbs., ability to move up to XX pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. If indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Occasional moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Hazards include heat, bees/stinging insects, beetle-killed and/or fire-killed trees.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Forest Service or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Forest Service. ACE members may, if they possess or obtain certification and training required by the State of California and the U.S. Forest service, operate a gas or electric powered chainsaw to remove dead and downed trees obstructing work areas as permitted by their qualifications and comfort. Members may be asked to remove dead or downed trees or limbs from work areas using a non-powered saw. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Forest Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to Forest Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Tahoe Project Director, Al Richert, arichert@usaconservation . org

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.