Forest Service Outreach Notice for Archaeologists

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Position: 2 Archeologists (Target Grade is GS 7/9) 1 GS-0193-Archaeologist – Cle Elum Ranger District, Cle Elum, WA 1 GS-0193-Archaeologist – Entiat Ranger District, Entiat, WA The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will soon be filling two GS-7/9 PSE Archaeologist positions. The positions will be supervised by the Heritage Program Manager, will be based on a ranger district but provide archaeological support to multiple ranger districts, and provide oversight to a seasonal field crew. The purpose of this Outreach Notice is to determine the potential applicant pool for this position and to establish the appropriate recruitment method and area of consideration for the advertisement. The jobs are not yet advertised but will be soon. Those who respond to this Outreach Notice will receive an email notice when the jobs are opened if they are not already posted. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Those who are interested in these positions must meet the federal Office of Personnel Management classification requirements for Archeologist (job series GS-0193-7/9). Qualifications are covered in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook. These standards are available on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.htm. Moving and Housing: Transfer of station costs are authorized only for current federal employees, no government housing is available. Please read the job announcement for more specific transfer of station information. Anyone interested in further information should contact the following: Okanogan-Wenatchee Supervisors Office: Powys Gadd, Heritage Program Manager, (509) 664-9394; FAX: (509) 664-9280; 215 Melody Lane; Wenatchee, Washington 98801; email: pgadd@fs.fed.us THE POSITIONS: GS-07 Duties: The incumbent will work for the Forest Heritage Program Manager and perform a wide range of cultural resource management tasks across multiple ranger districts. This is considered an advanced trainee position that will perform a variety of archaeological tasks while learning a variety of advanced skills, techniques, and procedures. The advanced training received will increase the incumbent’s ability to perform higher level archaeological work. Assignments may include some or all of the following: conducts routine field survey in areas planned for such activities as timber harvesting, wildlife habitat improvement, road construction, and recreational development; prepares cultural resource reports and prepares recommendations to be incorporated in environmental analysis reports concerning possible effects that proposed resource management activities may have on existing archeological resources. Identifies and records archeological sites, prepares site location maps and site sketches, photographs artifacts, and writes daily field notes. Conducts prefield research by examining historical records, previous Forest archaeological research germane to the area, and professional archeological literature relative to the history, social structure, and living conditions of associated past cultures. The incumbent should be capable of working independently and/or with a seasonal crew, and be able to complete projects in accordance with federal guidelines. They should have a background in archaeological theory and field methodologies. Knowledge of ArcGIS is desired but not required. GS-09 Duties: The incumbent will work for the Forest Heritage Program Manager and perform a wide range of cultural resource management duties across multiple ranger districts. This includes field inventory, site documentation and National Register site evaluation, traditional cultural property identification, project and site monitoring, assisting with district project planning, evaluating impacts of forest management on cultural resources, recommending appropriate mitigation measures, and preparing project reports. The individual should have solid technical writing skills and knowledge of Section 106 and NEPA compliance and regulations. The incumbent will be expected to participate in district project planning meetings and provide Heritage input for NEPA. The individual will provide technical and administrative support to paraprofessionals and/or a seasonal crew. This includes supervising and scheduling activities. The incumbent may help with the completion of Heritage Program goals that deal with non-project survey, assessments of site condition, monitoring, site stewardship and site preservation or restoration. The individual must have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with volunteers and peers to meet project goals. The incumbent should be capable of working independently and completing projects in accordance with national guidelines. They should have a strong background in archaeological theory and field methodologies, ArcGIS, and data management. The incumbent may help with the completion of Heritage Program goals that deal with stewardship and public interpretation of cultural resources. The individual must have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work with volunteers and peers to meet project goals. LOCATION: The two positions will work out of the Cle Elum and Entiat Ranger Districts respectively but will provide support to multiple ranger districts. The Cle Elum Ranger District office is located in Cle Elum, Washington, on the west side of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington. It is located 75 miles east of Seattle, WA on Interstate 90. Cle Elum has approximately 1,800 residents. The population of nearby Ellensburg, WA (including Central Washington University students) is 14,230. Many employees commute from Ellensburg which is 30 minutes east of Cle Elum. The Cle Elum Ranger District is located on the “dry” side of the Cascades. The elevations range from 2300 feet in Cle Elum to over 9000 feet in the surrounding mountains. There are definitely four seasons. Mild and windy springs and warm to toasty summer days where temperatures can reach into the low 100s. Winter days can bring average temperatures that dip into the low teens in January and February. Annual rainfall averages from 22” closer to the crest of the Cascades to 10” near the Columbia River and sage steppe desert to the east. Other small communities that are nearby include Roslyn, Ronald, South Cle Elum, Easton, and Kittitas. The larger university town of Ellensburg is located 25 miles to the east on Interstate 90. Additional Community and District information may be found at: http://www.cleelumroslyn.org/ http://www.ellensburg-chamber.com/ellensburg/campgrounds.asp The Entiat Ranger District office is located in Entiat, Washington which is situated along the Columbia River in north-central Washington. It is 16 miles north of Wenatchee, 140 miles east of Seattle, and 150 miles west of Spokane. The city’s year round population is approximately 2,000 but it is just north of Wenatchee, WA which has a population of over 30,000. There are recreation opportunities for mountain bikers, hikers, motorcyclists, backpackers, hunters, fishermen, bird watchers and more. Community and District information may be found at: http://www.entiatchamber.org/ Forest Information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/okawen/home