Archaeological Field Technician at State of Oregon, Department of State Lands

Wayne State University; Oregon (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking an Archaeological Field Technician for a limited-duration position in Oregon. This full-time role involves assisting in cultural resource management, conducting field surveys, and reporting findings to ensure compliance with preservation laws. It offers extensive benefits and opportunities for field experience across the state.

Benefits

95% - 99% of medical insurance premiums paid

8 hours sick leave and vacation leave per month

11 paid holidays and additional personal business days

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or closely related field, or 3 years of experience.
• Familiarity with cultural resource surveys and fieldwork.
• Basic knowledge or experience using GIS.

Responsibilities

• Assist the archaeologist in cultural resource management on state lands.
• Perform archaeological surveys and write project reports.
• Conduct background research and ensure compliance with cultural resource laws.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

GIS

Fieldwork

Cultural resource law knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or related field

Job description

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Are you an experienced Archaeologist looking to serve the public? Apply to be our next Archaeological Field Technician (Natural Resource Specialist 1) in the Real Property Division by April 20th, 2025! This is a limited duration position expected to last through November 28th, 2025. This position will report to our Bend office five (5) days a week with frequent travel and field work.

Make a Difference for Oregon. The Department of State Lands (DSL) manages the lands that help fund our public schools and protects the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide. Our stewardship ensures vital natural and financial resources contribute to a vibrant, healthy Oregon now and forever. Real Property staff oversee approximately 681,000 acres of surface land and 768,000 acres of sub-surface mineral and energy resources. Activities include managing rangelands, agricultural lands, timberlands, and commercial properties to generate revenue for the Common School Fund. The DSL team makes a difference for Oregonians every day. As our Archaeological Field Technician, you will too.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Department’s archaeologist in performing cultural resource management on state owned lands and waterways. This position will work closely with the agency archaeologist and Real Property staff to ensure ground-disturbing projects avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to pre-contact and/or historic sites or cultural resources. The position will assist in performing archeological records research, field surveys and/or testing as needed and assist in writing technical and scientific project reports that will be sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for concurrence. The successful candidate will assist the agency archaeologist in providing oversight on multi-agency cultural resource projects involving state lands to ensure projects are in compliance with state and federal cultural resource laws.

This full-time limited duration position is represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). This position is expected to last from May until November 2025.

What’s in it for you?

• Utilize your field experience and GIS skills working in remote locations all over the state of Oregon and expand your knowledge in cultural resource management.
• Work with an array of partners throughout eastern Oregon as part of the Cultural Resource team.
• Receive 1-on-1 mentoring and support from natural resource experts.
• Join an organization with smart, driven, co-workers who care about Oregon’s economy, environment, and communities, and their co-workers.
• Gain full benefits with 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health and alternative care coverage.
• Accrue 8 hours of sick leave and at least 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
• Receive 11 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• Earn the initial monthly salary range for this position starting at $4,409- $6,122 for employees new to DSL; current PERS participating members start at $4,715-$6,545

This position will be located at our Bend office. Preference may be given to applicants already located or willing to relocate within Deschutes County.

Working Conditions:

A portion of the work will be in an office setting, fieldwork in remote locations will be required, and travel is an essential function of the position. Overnight stays and/or extended work hours can be expected along with exposure to inclement weather, difficult and uneven terrain, and road conditions. DSL provides agency-maintained vehicles, reimbursement for field gear, and travel expenses for authorized, on-the-job travel and fieldwork. This position is expected to work both independently in the field and with a team.

What you will be doing:

As our Archeological Technician, you will have the opportunity to:

• Assist the agency archaeologist in developing, implementing and maintaining a cultural resource program for the agency.
• Assist in performing background research of SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) confidential records prior to ground disturbing projects, land sales/exchanges, or proprietary authorizations.
• Assist in performing cultural resource field surveys and/or testing to ensure agency related ground disturbing projects avoid, minimize or mitigate impacts to all historic and pre-contact cultural resource properties
• Perform archaeological surveys, shovel tests, monitor surveys, and write reports.
• Cite and isolate documentation, including feature and artifact identification, description and analysis, photography and mapping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS- to be considered for this position, please ensure you have one of the following combinations of education and/or experience:

A bachelor’s degree in archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field.; OR

Three (3) years of experience in fields related to anthropology, archaeology, general fieldwork and cultural resource surveys or closely related field.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES- tell us which of the following skills, experiences, and related talents you have by highlighting them in your application materials:

• Working knowledge of basic cultural resource law; familiarity with conducting general fieldwork and cultural resource surveys.
• Able to read both topographic maps and aerial photos, how to set up and execute shovel probe testing and use a compass.
• Have or obtain a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record to operate state vehicles for site visits prior to hire.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with user groups of public lands and a basic understanding of public lands conflicts.
• Basic Knowledge or experience using GIS.
• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest archaeology, history, and regional artifact types.
• Knowledge of architecture and historic properties.
• Experience in identifying and recording pre-contact & historic resources.

The Oregon Department of State Lands is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally, racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse working environment. The Department hires staff interested in supporting environmental justice by including communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes. We encourage members of these communities to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired attributes. The Oregon Department of State Lands understands that an authentic focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace will in turn create a workforce aligned to meet the challenge of serving all Oregonians.

How to apply:

• Complete the following required steps:
  • Fill out the application or attach a resume. Please contact the recruiter if you have any questions about how to fill out the experience fields or to attach a document. Your submitted experience fields or attached resume must include dates (MM/YYYY) for each employer, and any relevant volunteer and/or internship experience.
  • Attach a cover letter. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and training relates to the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section above.
    • Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
    • Please address your cover letter to Brian Cochran, Real Property Manager.
    • Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the “Desired Attributes” section may receive lower scores than those that addressed the desired qualities.
    • You must upload your cover letter in the ‘Resume/Cover Letter’ section of the application.
  • Complete questionnaire. Answer the checkbox-style questions before submitting your application. If you are applying as an existing state employee for the Job Rotation option, please upload permission from your current supervisor.
• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
• This recruitment may be used to fill future positions.
• This position may be contingent upon the outcome of a driving records check.
• For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, visit the Oregon job opportunities website .
• DSL complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate’s education and experience.
• For questions, assistance, or if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the application or selection process, please contact [e-mail] .