The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) in partnership with the Ashley National Forest is advertising for an Archaeology Crew / Technician. This position offers approximately 4 months of full-time work experience beginning in May 2023 (beginning and end dates negotiable). The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) is Utah's award-winning, and nationally recognized statewide Conservation Corps headquartered in Logan, Utah at Utah State University's main campus. The UCC has been Utah's largest environmental AmeriCorps program since 2001, completing service work on public lands, in communities, and with various organizations throughout the state.
The positions are located in Vernal, Utah. Government Housing is not provided with this position. Crew members will be responsible for securing their own housing arrangements in the Vernal area.
If you have questions about this Archaeology Crew / Technician position, please contact:
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
The position will be working closely with Ashley National Forest Heritage/Archaeological staff in Vernal, Utah. An Archaeology Technician performs developmental assignments in support of the Heritage program on the Ashley National Forest.
Archaeology technicians will gain experience in all facets of cultural resource Section 106 compliance by working on a variety of archaeological survey projects and archaeological pedestrian surveys. A portion of the time will be spent helping to prepare archeological site documentation from field surveys and assisting with the preparation of reports about the nature and extent of known cultural resources.
This is a field-going position with a majority of time spent in a forest setting under a variety of weather conditions, often traversing steep uneven terrain. Field work will typically be conducted with a crew of two or more. Access to work sites will be by four-wheel drive truck and backpacking. Some survey locations may involve a limited amount overnight camping. The ability to navigate by a map and gather and download field GIS data on a handheld professional grade GPS unit is essential.
Minimum Qualifications:
Degree in archaeology/anthropology OR be a degree-seeking student in archaeology/anthropology.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check.
U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
Preferrred Qualifications:
Preference given to applicants with archaeological field experience in the Intermountain West (archaeological survey, excavation, field school, etc.)
Regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent organizational and computer skills. (prefer experience in data entry, use of GIS ArcMap software and familiarity with Trimble GPS equipment.)
An independent, self-motivated, creative, and resourceful individual able to work with diverse groups of people.
A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a team.
Able to work a flexible schedule, including 10 to 11 hour days in the field and 8 hour days in the office.
Ability to commit to a 12-week minimum term of service.
Application Summary
Along with the online application, please attach:
In addition to submitting your online application, please send an email to the contact below to notify of your intent to apply for the position. Write “Ashley Archaeology Technician” in the subject line of your email. Materials should be submitted with attention to:
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
The position requires considerable physical activity. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position including heavy lifting (50 pounds) and/or pushing and pulling of heavy objects. Employees must be prepared to assume uncomfortable positions such as crawling, kneeling, and squatting. Additionally, the work environment can include confined or narrow spaces. Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment.
Applicant must be able to regularly and safely hike in moderate to rugged terrain at a reasonable pace (2 miles per hour). As a demonstration of physical fitness, the applicant must be able to hike one (1) mile in moderate to rough terrain in less than 30 minutes while carrying at least 25 pounds of field gear. Successful completion of the physical fitness requirement is a continual condition of employment for the position.
The Ashley National Forest encompasses about a million and a half acres in northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. The Forest lies in three geographical areas: the east-west range of the Uinta Mountains, the Green River Basin, and the Tavaputs Plateau. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,528 feet.
Steep canyons, high mountain peaks, glaciated basins, large open meadows, and desert badlands produce a rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife. The grasses and shrubs of the high mountain desert are replaced by pinyon and juniper as the elevation rises. In mid-elevation areas, aspen dominates and becomes mixed with conifer. Higher up, the vegetation changes to conifer forest composed of ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, fir, and spruce. Wildlife is abundant. Larger species include black bear, mountain lion, moose, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Neighboring lands include the Uinta and Ouray Indian Reservation to the south, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to the west and north, and a mixture of Bureau of Land Management, State of Utah, and private lands to the east and southeast. Compared with other National Forests, relatively few small tracts of private land lie within the Ashley's boundary.
The High Uintas Wilderness, established by Congress in 1984, comprises nearly one-half million acres in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache and Ashley National Forests. Within the wilderness, elevations range from 8,000 feet to 13,582 feet at the top of Kings Peak, the highest mountain in Utah. The Uinta Mountain range runs east to west, from the Wasatch Mountains into Colorado. Pre-Cambrian rock formed from sediments laid down 600 million years ago makes up the core of the range. Glacial activity carved deep canyons and left a spectacular landscape of rolling, treeless peaks and stratified ridges interspersed with broad meadows and numerous lakes.
The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area lies in the northeast part of the Forest. Flaming Gorge Reservoir extends almost 90 miles into Wyoming and offers outstanding fishing and boating opportunities. Record-breaking German brown trout and large lake and rainbow trout have been taken from its waters. The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area has three marinas and many campgrounds, some of which are open year-round.
The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is a world-famous blue-ribbon trout stream. The Little Hole National Recreation Trail parallels the river 7.3 miles from the Dam to the Little Hole Recreation Complex.
About Vernal, Utah
Vernal is situated in northeast Utah south of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and west of Dinosaur National Monument and is the county seat of Uintah County. Vernal has a population of approximately 10,000 people. When combined with the residents of surrounding communities, the population of the Ashley Valley is approximately 15,000. Vernal is 180 miles east of Salt Lake City and 300 miles west of Denver.
http://www.vernalchamber.com/ http://www.city-data.com/city/Vernal-Utah.html
Climate
Vernal sits at approximately 5,000 feet above sea level. Vernal enjoys four beautiful temperate seasons; the climate is semi-arid with low humidity. Annual precipitation averages 15-20", mostly in the form of winter snow and spring/fall rain. Winter temperatures usually hover in the 20s-30s during the day but will occasionally drop to sub-zero. Mid-summer temperatures can reach 100 degrees, but generally average in the low-mid 90s, dipping into the 50s at night.
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*updated 11/2022
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