Archaeologist

Company: State of Massachusetts
Location: Boston
Posted on: June 12, 2021

Job Description:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation manages one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation and protects and enhances natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities throughout Massachusetts. DCR is a dynamic agency, and is one of the largest park systems in the nation. The DCR system includes over 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, golf courses, trails and parkways.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Archaeologist (Environmental Analyst IV).

The Archaeologist is responsible to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities relative to the identification, evaluation, protection and interpretation of archaeological and historical resources on DCR property. The position reports to the Director of the Office of Cultural Resources (OCR), within the Resource Protection Bureau, under the Deputy Commissioner of Conservation and Resource Stewardship.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In close coordination with the other Office of Cultural Resources staff assist in the development of policies, procedures, protocols and programs that will ensure the wise stewardship of archaeological and cultural resources within DCR's forest, park and reservation system.
• Assist in the development of policies, procedures, protocols and programs that will ensure the wise stewardship of archaeological and cultural resources within DCR's state parks and water supply properties.
• Prepare Project Notification Forms to facilitate review by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) of proposed DCR construction and maintenance activities for impacts to archaeological and cultural resources. Initiates and manages projects to minimize or mitigate such impacts.
• Maintain DCR archaeological site files and records that are secure and periodically updated and available in digital form
• Prepare and secure a General Archaeological Permit from the MA Historical Commission, renew annually
• Gather and analyze data concerning known and potential historic and prehistoric sites on DCR property, including GIS analysis using MACRIS, MassGIS, ArcGIS Online, and LiDAR.
• Conduct background research and walkovers to detennine archaeologically sensitivity of a project area
• Perform limited in-house subsurface investigations to evaluate impacts or potential impacts of a project activity to archaeological resources.
• Curate artifact collections obtained through in-house treating in accordance with the guidelines set forth in 950 CMR 70.00 and the Society for Historical Archaeology Standards and Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Collections.
• Produce written reports summarizing findings of archaeological research and investigation carried out under the General Archaeological Permit. Prepare Annual Report summarizing the results of all projects for which subsurface testing was performed.
• Provide archaeological monitoring of project construction when requested to ensure that excavation does not impact intact soil deposits that may contain archaeological deposit.
• Prepare archaeological site avoidance and protection plans when needed.
• Train field staff, project engineers and contractors on protocols and procedures for unanticipated discoveries during construction
• Serve as a member of the DCR Lands Committee and evaluate potential acquisitions for archaeological significance.
• Serve as DCR's liaison to and consult with the Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, the MA Commission on Indian Affairs and other indigenous groups, as needed
• Develop scopes and manage archaeological services contracts including archaeological and cultural resource inventories, assessments and surveys.
• Establish standardized formats and systems for managing and disseminating archaeological data to be used by DCR. Prepares and submits site forms to the MHC.
• Implement procedures for in-house review to ensure smooth coordination with Divisions of DCR and the MHC on projects impacting or potentially impacting archaeological resources including DCR's internal review of permit applications (Green Docket), annual preparation of and compliance with the General Archaeological Permit and compliance with DCR's Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement with the MHC.
• Assist in the planning and design of interpretive exhibits, waysides and elements, and programs addressing archaeological projects, principles and issues.
• Evaluate research requests on DCR property to ensure resources are not impacted and work with academic institutions and researchers on projects and data collection that benefits DCR.
• Support public outreach on matters relating to archaeology including participating in public meetings, presentations, and brief and preparing informational materials, press releases, status reports, and technical bulletins.
• Provide general preservation planning assistance to Divisions within DCR
• Provide technical assistance and training, as requested, on issues related to archaeology and cultural resource management to DCR staff, other state, federal & municipal government organizations, non-profits, and community groups.
• Assist with the preparation of Cultural Resources sections of Resource Management Plans, Master Plans and other documents.
• Supervise staff including seasonal staff and interns, when available, on an intermittent basis.
• Other duties as requested.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Preferred Qualifications:

(A) A graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology, Cultural Resource

Management, Historical Archaeology, Public Archaeology or American Studies with a specialization in Archaeology; (B) a

demonstrated ability to carry research to completion evidenced by timely completion of thesis, research reports, field investigations carried out under previous permits, or similar documents; (C) at least 2-1/2 years of full-time professional experience applying the

theories, methods and practices of Archaeology that enable professional judgments to be made about the identification, evaluation,

documentation, registration and treatment of archaeological resources within the DCR Forests and Parks, (D) at least sixteen ( 16)

months of which included professional experience or specialized training in archeological field, laboratory, or library research

including at least four (4) months of field experience in general North American archaeology an at least (6) months of experience in a supervisory role in northeastern archeology, and; (E) at least six (6) months of which must be field and laboratory experience in sites and specimens of the type and period of the site which is the object of study (i.e. six (6) months experience in industrial archaeology if the site is industrial; six (6) months experience in northeastern historical archaeology if the site is historical; or six (6) months experience in prehistoric archeology of glaciated North America if the site is prehistoric)

Candidate should have (I) a knowledge of historic preservation and planning principles, terminology and practices; (2) knowledge

and experience in the techniques of archaeological survey, excavation and laboratory processing; (3) ability to-effectively

communicate verbally and in writing; ( 4) ability to be flexible to perform a wide range of assignments to meet changing needs and

deadlines; (5) demonstrated ability to carry research to completion evidenced by timely completion of thesis, research reports, field

investigations carried out under previous permits, or similar documents, and; (6) ability to participate in an interdisciplinary team

effort. A general knowledge of the state and federal laws pertaining to the protection of archeological resources, as well as the

standards and methodologies of the Massachusetts Historical Commission is desired. Candidate should have the physical ability to

perform field testing, sometimes in remote areas. Candidate should have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365 (including Teams) and experience using Global Positioning System (GPS) and ESRI/GIS software.

Candidate should have the ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be

accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources: controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates' training needs and providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively;

determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or Initiating disciplinary action. Candidate should be able to

determine proper format and procedure for assembling information.

Candidate should have knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of supervision; and be able to accomplish work

objectives when few precedents or guidelines are available.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Keywords: State of Massachusetts, Boston , Archaeologist, Other , Boston, Massachusetts