Yakama Reservation Watershed Project Senior Archaeologist III-FRM

Announcement #

2025-114

Issue Date:

04-17-25

Closing Date:

05-07-25

Yakama Reservation Watershed Project Senior Archeologist III

Fisheries Resource Management (FRM)

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $37.92-$42.68/Regular/Full-Time/Supervisory

Location: Toppenish

The Yakama Reservation Watersheds Project Senior Archeologist is responsible for supervising and conducting historic and archival research, Phase 1 archeological resource inventory surveys and Phase II site evaluation of the Yakama Nation (YN) Reservation, ceded territories, and other areas as required. Work involves field surveys and monitoring for prehistoric, historic and traditional land use areas. Interviews and seeks advice from tribal elders and other individuals with historic knowledge. Works with local, state, federal and other Yakama Nation programs for protection and preservation of cultural and natural resources.

Position is under the Yakama Reservation Watersheds Project (YRWP), a watershed management and fish habitat restoration program that works within the Yakama Reservation and boundary waters.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Coordinate with YRWP biologists concerning prospective project areas and attending appropriate coordination meetings between YRWP staff, the YN Cultural Resources Program, the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and other funding and compliance agencies as necessary.
• Coordinates with project biologists and funding agencies to initiate the cultural and National Historic Preservation Act approval process for projects, including developing the Area of Project Effect (APE) and ensuring the conveyance of the cultural initiation letter.
• Develops Inadvertent Discovery Protocols as part of the project coordination with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office and the lead funding agency.
• Supervises technical archeologist staff working on YRWP projects.
• Conducts and oversees field surveys of proposed land projects.
• Reviews consultation letters and provides comments when required.
• Reviews published materials and provides data for inclusion in the YN Atlas of Cultural Places.
• Work encompasses archeological collections, databases as they pertain to the identification, evaluation, protection, stabilization, and preservation of cultural, historical and geological places.
• Prepares and writes reports to the THPO's required format or standard. Handles photographic and digital image work including ArcGIS.
• Monitors ground disturbing construction activities to ensure protection of cultural, historical and geological places.
• Is responsible to make decisions in the field regarding the importance of cultural resources encountered by restoration project activities.
• May present lectures and directs field trips for educational purposes.
• Assists in budgeting and contract procurement for technical assistance contracts for cultural resource surveys, reporting, and monitoring. Manages and directs cultural resource technical contractors.
• Assists YRWP biologists with GIS analysis and reporting for prospective project areas.
• Assists the Tributary Special Projects Lead and YRWP team in developing technical reports, GIS data products, project budgets, and contracts for YRWP related restoration activities.
• Directly manages and stewards supplies, equipment, vehicles, and work spaces in the Upper Columbia field offices as assigned by supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Detailed knowledge and experience in principles of archeological field survey and data recording.
• Knowledge and experience in the use of tools and equipment used in archeological, field survey and site evaluation including inventory and site significance.

• Knowledge of traditional and tribal culture information and archaeological data, the purpose of which is

to maintain a sound balance between cultural preservation and current land use needs.

• Knowledge of the THPO's required format for reports and site forms.
• Experience in report writing using the appropriate format and style.
• Experience and knowledge of plants, animals, fish and other traditional and modern resources within the Yakama Reservation, ceded lands and usual and accustomed places.
• Experience with directly supervising, training, and evaluating staff and employees.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders in project planning, including engineers, cultural specialists, biologists, and other staff as required.
• Ability to construct and stay within a Scope of Work within allocated timeline.
• Ability to travel throughout the Yakama Reservation and Ceded Territories and other areas as work requires.
• Ability to occasionally work in areas away from the employee's field station and lodge in hotels or other accommodations for up to a week at a time.
• Experience working in rough terrain and in harsh climatic conditions.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's Degree in Anthropology, or related field, with emphasis in archaeology required.
• Four years professional archaeological experience.
• Familiarity and experience with Yakama Reservation lands and archeological resources and issues.
• Each applicant should submit with their application a writing sample of an archeological report or similar document which shows the ability to communicate in a clear concise manner.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
• Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.