Planner, Cultural Resources (Archaeologist)

City of Fort Collins; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking organization focused on preserving cultural resources and enhancing community engagement. This full-time role combines archaeology with strategic planning to protect over 50,000 acres of conserved land. You will lead projects, conduct field investigations, and collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulations while fostering a shared understanding of our region's historic context. If you are passionate about making a lasting impact through cultural resource management, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as an archaeological crew lead in Colorado.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to archaeology.

Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of cultural resources projects, including archaeological surveys.
• Develop and implement best management practices for cultural resource protection.

Skills

Archaeological survey methods

Field mapping

Artifact identification

GPS/GIS technology

Soil sampling

Report preparation

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience

Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology or History

Tools

GPS technology

GIS software

Job description

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Planner, Cultural Resources (Archaeologist)

POSITION TITLE: Planner, Cultural Resources (Archaeologist) (Full-Time Regular) (Classified)
REQUISITION #: req8033
DEPARTMENT: Natural Areas
LOCATION: NIX SITE OFFICE BLDG
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Classified (Non-CBU)
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE: $59,013.00 - 98,355.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $67,000.00 - 84,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 3/25/2025.

You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile. Post-offer background check and motor vehicle report required.

Job Summary

Do you thrive at the intersection of cultural and natural resource management? Are you passionate about building a shared understanding of our region's historic context through field investigations, archival research and community engagement? Join the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas team, where we protect over 50,000 acres of conserved land with a variety of cultural resources, including the renowned Lindenmeier Site, a National Historic Landmark. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine archaeology with strategic open space planning and community engagement to make a lasting impact on our region's landscape.

As part of our team, you will implement, evaluate, and adaptively evolve the cultural resource program's plans, policies, projects, and standard operating procedures. You will design, lead, and refine program elements, craft specialized strategies for historic preservation and cultural resource management, and resolve complex issues in these areas. Your work will include researching, analyzing, consulting, training and providing technical guidance to protect and enhance cultural resources and historic properties across Natural Areas lands. This position is also a key contributor in the development of management plans, multi-disciplinary projects, and policies related to land and resource stewardship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Plans and manages all phases of cultural resources projects, including archaeological field survey, monitoring, testing, excavation (when appropriate), technical report production, eligibility determinations, and data management and recovery.
• Coordinates with the City’s repository for the sustainable curation of cultural materials.
• Provides information and resources needed to protect historic and pre-contact archaeological sites, and assesses and makes recommendations on land use issues.
• Maintains necessary documentation related to local, state, and federal laws, consults with Native American representatives and other stakeholders, and interacts with local, state, and federal officials about permitting, project implementation, and program documentation.
• Collaborates and supports management planning and project implementation across department disciplines.
• Contributes design recommendations and monitoring that supports the department’s conservation, cultural, and visitors use values, helping ensure department compliance with regulatory requirements related to program disciplines and project implementation.
• Develops and implements best management practices and policies to accomplish work group and department goals.
• Serves as project manager using the department’s standard processes and tools.
• Trains colleagues, partners and volunteers in how to recognize and protect cultural resources.
• Plans and manages the contracting and data related to historic preservation surveys and reports.
• May participate in cultural consultations with appropriate tribal representatives and Native American/ Indigenous community members, and assist with interpretation, programming and public engagement efforts.
• May support management planning as an assistant planner and may lead a future management plan updates.
• Conducts public outreach and prepares written content, reports, social media, and presentations on environmental issues.
• Presents to diverse audiences ranging from one-on-one conversations to community meetings.
• Responds to citizen, employee, and City Council inquiries, including complaints and service requests.
• Serves on task forces and teams related to natural and cultural resource protection, sustainability issues, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Prepares memos, reports, and recommendations for City and Natural Areas leadership.
• Contributes to data sets for planning and ongoing management.
• May solicit, prepare, and administer grants.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, codes and regulations.
• Proficiency in archaeological survey methods, including field mapping, artifact identification, GPS/GIS technology, and soil sampling.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports that meet local, state and federal standards.
• Knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act, especially the Section 106 process.
• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
• Ability to review and evaluate engineering designs and drawings.
• Ability to plan, lead and complete project activities.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of historic preservation and cultural resource research, design, and monitoring techniques and activities in Western High Plains and/or Rocky Mountain Front Range Foothills ecosystems/cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to carry research and projects to completion independently.
• Ability to write Historic Building Surveys preferred.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Preferred College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Graduate degree in Archaeology, Anthropology or history with demonstrated experience in Colorado prehistoric or historic archaeology.

Experience Requirements

• Three years of full-time professional experience as an archaeological crew lead in Colorado. Authored or co-authored cultural resource reports for a variety of projects. Meets the Secretary of Interior Standards for Principal Investigator in Archaeology.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

• Possess a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) preferred. Permit from the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation for archaeological survey preferred.

Background Check and Motor Vehicle Report Required