Cultural Resources Specialist

National-Experienced-Workforce-Solutions; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Federal holidays

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Job summary

National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) seeks a Cultural Resources Specialist for the ACE program in Durango, Colorado. The role is part-time (24 hours/week) and non-federal, funded through an existing agreement to support NRCS field offices with cultural resource surveys and documentation.

The Specialist will conduct field surveys, prepare site evaluations, map with ArcGIS, and assist NRCS staff under Colorado guidelines.

Qualifications

• 15 years of archaeology/anthropology experience or a BA/BS in Archaeology/Anthropology or related field.
• Knowledge of cultural resources processes including surveys, documentation, reporting, and ArcGIS is required; Colorado/southwestern US experience preferred.
• Experience with Windows, MS Word, and MS Excel.
• GIS proficiency is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys and evaluate sites using standardized methods.
• Prepare NRCS Colorado Report Forms and GIS documentation.
• Coordinate with NRCS staff and travel within Colorado as needed.
• Present findings in biweekly team meetings and with managers.

Skills

Cultural resources

ArcGIS

Report writing

GIS

MS Word

MS Excel

Field survey

Education

BA/BS Archaeology/Anthropology

15+ years archaeology/anthropology experience

Tools

Windows

MS Word

MS Excel

ArcGIS

Job description

Position Details

• Title: Cultural Resources Specialist
• ID: ACO1-011
• Location: Durango
• Program: ACE
• Wage/Hr: $30.00
• Hours/Week: 24
• Minimum Age: 55

Disclaimer: This is not a federal position. This role is offered through a partnership agreement and does not constitute an NRCS hiring action.

This position is a non-federal role funded through an existing agreement between NRCS and NEW Solutions. The enrollee will provide direct support to farmers and landowners, enabling the implementation of conservation practices on the ground. This role contributes to NRCS's mission by enhancing capacity in field offices and ensuring timely assistance to producers. It is designed to free up NRCS staff for emergency and high-priority responses, not to replace federal staff.

This role helps ensure continued progress on conservation planning, practice implementation, and technical assistance, especially in high-demand or disaster-affected areas. It aligns with the Administration's priorities for farmer-first, field-facing, and partner-enabled capacity expansion.

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). These are experienced professionals who provide technical and professional assistance to the Department of Agriculture for the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program.

Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours per pay period, Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Federal Holidays, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours per pay period.

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?ACES Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?ACES Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.

Qualifications

Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field. OR BA/BS Degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field.

• Knowledge of cultural resources processes, including cultural resources surveys, cultural resource and survey documentation, report writing, and ArcGIS is required. Colorado and/or southwestern United States archaeology experience is preferred. Registered Professional Cultural Resources Specialist accreditation and/or ability to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Cultural Resources Specialist requirements and/or ability to be a Principal Investigator on a State of Colorado Archaeology permit are preferred.
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel
• GIS

Duties

NOTE - This position is based out of the southwest Colorado NRCS office and may potentially report to any NRCS office within the State of Colorado.The Cultural Resources Specialist supports the State Cultural Resources Specialist by applying foundational anthropological and archaeological field methods to locate, test, and evaluate cultural resource sites. Responsibilities include conducting pre-field research, performing field surveys, and completing site evaluations using reference materials, landowner interviews, aerial imagery, historic maps and newspapers, Government Land Office records, and technical instruments. The Archaeologist will assess proposed project areas for potential cultural resources and, when identified, document them using ArcGIS Field Maps, digital photography, and written notes. All cultural resources will be recorded following Colorado State Historic Preservation Office site form standards, including the creation of GIS shapefiles. The Specialist will also complete NRCS Colorado Report Forms and associated GIS documentation for all surveys. Work must be completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures. The Archaeologist will report progress, findings, and any emerging issues during biweekly team meetings and individual check-ins with team managers.

• Work directly with NRCS staff to complete surveys/assessments in the southwestern and western part of Colorado, supporting overall agency objectives that are typically part of Farm Bill cost-share programs.70%
• Collaborate and support surveys/ assessments throughout Colorado as needed.10%
• Collaborate to improve NRCS Cultural Team processes.5%
• Support training NRCS team members in cultural resource identification as requested.5%
• Contribute to State, Area, and Cultural Resource Team bi-weekly meetings.5%
• Other duties as assigned5%

Other

• Selected candidate required under NRCS policy to complete Cultural Resources Training Modules 1-8 and subsequent refresher training every five years.
• Training in NRCS-centric business tools will be provided as needed. In addition, training in NRCS cultural resource workflows will be provided.
• Travel Requirements: Travel to assigned field offices and field sites. Government vehicle will be provided as needed for official business.
• Overnight travel: Up to two trips (6) days of travel per month, depending on project locations.
• Physical requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.