Bat Conservation International

Cultural Resource Specialist and Technical Writer

Southwest United States (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico)

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Cultural Resource Field Lead (Autumn Cool)

Key Relationships: Restoration Team, Habitat Protection & Restoration Program, Conservation Department

Salary: $55,000- $58,000 per year

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a full-time Cultural Resource Specialist to join BCI’s Conservation Department. The Cultural Resource Specialist will work as part of the Restoration Team in the Habitat Protection & Restoration Program (HP&R).

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

The successful candidate will work directly with BCI’s Cultural Resource Field Lead to document and analyze archaeological sites, primarily historic-period abandoned mines. This includes writing archaeological technical reports, completing cultural resource inventory forms, and conducting fieldwork on public lands throughout the southwest United States.

BCI’s cultural resource inventories are done in combination with subterranean bat surveys to gather information on both wildlife and cultural resources at abandoned mines. The inventories are used to guide treatment recommendations to protect important cultural and biological resources during safeguarding and closure of abandoned mines on public lands. In the future, BCI’s cultural resource inventories may also include surveys of areas selected for wildlife habitat restoration projects. Additionally, this position will assist with other project duties, including data and photo organization, map production, conducting research, and other tasks.

Our program highly encourages all staff to seek out opportunities within other teams and specialties to better understand the full capacity of the HP&R program and to build working relationships with colleagues outside of their respective specialties and teams. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to provide technical writing and fieldwork assistance to other teams within HP&R during lulls in cultural resources work. BCI offers on-the-job training, and opportunities for additional safety/medical certifications may be available. Traversing challenging terrain on foot and conducting surveys in inclement weather is a part of all field-based work within HP&R.

Work Schedule

The Cultural Resource Specialist is a full-time, primarily remote position. The work schedule will vary based on project needs and availability. The primary duties of the position are to assist the Cultural Resource Field Lead with completing technical reports and site forms describing the results of cultural resource inventories. Reporting work will be completed remotely from a home office. The secondary duties of the position are to conduct cultural resource inventory fieldwork. Thirdly, and as workloads permit, this position may be asked to assist with other HP&R technical writing and fieldwork needs.

Fieldwork may include up to two field sessions per month during the field season. When fieldwork is expected, advance notice of 1–2 months is generally provided. Fieldwork requires traveling to project sites and living and working in or near field locations. Projects are often in remote, mountainous terrain near small communities with limited services. Field sessions typically last five weekdays, including paid travel days, though some projects may last longer and may include working weekends. Travel and fieldwork days range from 8–12 working hours, sometimes more. Overnight lodging will usually be provided in hotel rooms or shared house rentals with private bedrooms for each team member. Some projects may require overnight camping; BCI will provide basic camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove, etc.) as needed. Meals, equipment, and travel costs will be reimbursed to federal per diem standards.

Additional opportunities within HP&R – if interest and availability permit – may include conducting subterranean wildlife surveys, generating subterranean survey reports, protecting and restoring water resources for wildlife, assisting with agave plantings, generating post-restoration activity reports, assisting with drone surveys, drafting National Environmental Policy Act compliance documents, grant writing, and assisting with data management.

Position Overview

• Coordinate with Cultural Resource Field Lead to write technical reports, complete archaeological site/resource forms, draw site sketch maps, and organize data and photos.
• Conduct background research using archival records, physical and online sources, and historical maps and photographs.
• Interpret results of surveys based on field notes, photography, and GIS data.
• Synthesize information to create appropriate National Register of Historic Places eligibility assessments and resource management recommendations.
• Survey and document historic-period abandoned mines (and potentially other historic or prehistoric archaeological resources) using digital field forms, photographs, and GPS devices.
• Assist with planning and managing logistics for field projects, including making travel reservations, route planning and navigation, and maintaining gear.
• Collaborate with teams in BCI to support the growth of archaeology and cultural resource management in conservation work.

Qualifications and Skills Needed (If you have 70% or more of the desired skills, we encourage you to apply):

Required Knowledge/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study such as archaeology, history, anthropology, architectural history, art history, or historic preservation.
• Completion of archaeology field school OR previous archaeology field experience.
• Ability to review, synthesize, and interpret archaeological data and communicate conclusions verbally and in writing.
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable communicating with colleagues in a remote work environment.
• Experience working in cooperative, small-team settings.
• Reliable and self-motivated worker.
• Demonstrate initiative and resourceful problem-solving skills to optimize project completion.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, including utilizing style templates and automatic cross-references.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience:

• Previous archaeological report writing or editing experience.
• Previous experience completing cultural resource inventory forms.
• Experience in digital mapping (e.g., using EOS GPS, Trimble, or ESRI Collector/Field Maps) and digital site documentation (e.g., using Survey 1-2-3).
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working outdoors and comfort moving through difficult terrain with limited resources.
• Experience driving off-road.
• Experience using hand tools (e.g., shovel, saw, pick, axe).
• Experience and/or interest in using rock climbing equipment.
• Certifications in first aid, CPR, and/or wilderness medicine.

Field Conditions and Physical Effort

• Fieldwork requires considerable physical activity; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 30 pounds may be required.
• Work environments involve some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require situational awareness, adherence to basic safety precautions, and open communication.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, strong winds, and/or rain.
• Fieldwork requires hiking at high altitudes in rugged terrain with steep slopes (>30°) and elevation changes of more than 1,000 feet.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in our conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment. Read more about our JEDI statement at www.batcon.org/about-us/justice-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/.

To Apply

If you have 70% or more of the skills needed, we encourage you to apply.

We encourage folks to apply here:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=4f1d76c0-c801-4a5e-879d-35f46070697c&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&jobId=9200548149700_1&source=EN

Candidates interested in this position should submit their resume and a cover letter. The cover letter should describe what unique qualities the applicant can bring to the role and to Bat Conservation International as a whole. The deadline to apply for this position is February 17, 2023. Interviews will begin on February 20, 2023, with an ideal start date in mid-March 2023.

What We Offer You:

The salary range for this position is $55,000–$58,000 based on location and experience. BCI offers a competitive compensation package with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Benefits include but are not limited to paid vacation and sick time; 401(k) plan with employer match; and health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

Apply Here

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