Job Description

Job Location: Moab, UT

Position Type: Seasonal

Salary Range: $21.70 - $21.70 Hourly

Job Category: Cultural Resources ServicesThe Great Basin Institute’s Cultural Resources Program, in cooperation with the National Park Service, is recruiting (1) Archaeology Crew Member to support GIS, cultural resources data management, and archaeological fieldwork across the Southeast Utah Group (SEUG). This position will focus heavily on maintaining and improving cultural resources spatial datasets, organizing survey and site data, supporting mobile field data collection workflows, and creating maps and GIS products used for park planning, site documentation, and cultural resource compliance.

The position will also assist SEUG Cultural Resources staff with archaeological fieldwork, including site monitoring, field documentation, site recording, and cultural resource surveys as needed. This work provides professional development in GIS-based cultural resources management, NPS data systems, archaeological field methods, and compliance procedures, including Section 106 documentation. The ideal candidate will have strong current GIS skills, careful attention to detail, good field ability, and a demonstrated ability to learn and adapt. Expanded opportunities and exposure to interdisciplinary park projects may exist.

The Archaeology Crew Member will perform a variety of activities to support all stages of project work. Crew size will range between 1-4 people. Essential Job Functions may include the following:

• Work with SEUG Cultural Resources staff to maintain, organize, and improve cultural resources GIS datasets, including site points, site polygons, survey coverage, project APEs, and related spatial data;
• Review, clean, and update cultural resource GIS attribute data, site datums, site polygons, survey coverage, and other spatial records using site forms, survey records, field data, and recent project documentation;
• Maintain and update the SEUG Surveyed Areas layer and incorporate approved spatial updates into the SEUG master geodatabase;
• Assist with Field Maps, ArcGIS Online, and Smart Forms workflows, including improving data collection layers, data dictionaries, required fields, domains, and consistency between field and office GIS products;
• Review, clean, and update the SEUG Graffiti Report Log/Map and assist with organizing graffiti documentation for cultural resource tracking and management;
• Create basic cultural resource maps, APE maps, and GIS deliverables for site forms, monitoring records, NEPA/NHPA review, SHPO submissions, and internal project review, including packaging and quality-checking shapefiles/geodatabases;
• Participate in archaeological fieldwork as needed, including pedestrian inventory, monitoring, site condition assessments, site revisits, GPS/GNSS data collection, ground-truthing GIS data, and organizing field documentation in NPS and SEUG data systems.

LOCATION: Moab, Utah

The Southeast Utah Group comprises Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument with group headquarters located in Moab, Utah. Park operations are centered around the communities of Moab, Monticello, and Blanding. The region is renowned for its spectacular red rock landscapes and year-round outdoor recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, river rafting on the Colorado River, off-road exploration, and stargazing. Additional nearby destinations include Dead Horse Point State Park, Utahraptor State Park, Bears Ears National Monument, and the La Sal Mountains.

WORK SCHEDULE

• 52 week position;
• Position anticipated to begin in early October 2026, and run through 2027

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Wage: $21.70/hour (overtime at a 1.5 rate)

Benefits

• Premiums 100% GBI-paid: comprehensive medical, dental (with an optional coverage upgrade), visual insurance, and a $25,000 Life/AD&D policy;
• Enrollment eligibility begins the first day of the month following the first day of service.
• 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match;
• Paid Leave Benefit: Paid Time Off accrued at 4.61 hours per 80-hour pay period starting on the first day of employment;
• Paid holidays (12 per year);
• Pro gear/equipment deals through various companies and websites;
• Uniform stipend.

Housing: ​​​provided by the NPS.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, GIS, geography, history, environmental studies, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, field experience, and technical GIS experience;
• GIS experience, including use of ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Online to edit spatial data, manage attributes, organize layers, and create basic maps;
• Experience or coursework using mobile field data collection tools such as Field Maps, Survey123, GPS/GNSS units, or comparable platforms;
• Ability to learn cultural resources data standards, NPS data management procedures, Utah SHPO GIS submission requirements, and project-specific workflows;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain organized, accurate, and clearly documented digital files, GIS data, photographs, field forms, and project records;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, including managing assigned tasks, asking clear questions, communicating progress, and following through on data cleanup and mapping projects;
• Ability to work safely and productively in remote field settings, including hiking, navigating, collecting field data, working in desert conditions, and occasionally camping or working overnight in the field;

Preferred

• Experience with cultural resources GIS data, archaeological site records, survey coverage layers, APE mapping, SHPO/THPO submission packages, or related cultural resource compliance datasets;
• Experience creating, editing, or managing ArcGIS Pro projects, ArcGIS Online web maps, Field Maps layers, Smart Forms, geodatabase schemas, metadata, domains, or other GIS data collection workflows;
• Familiarity with Section 106/110 NHPA, NEPA/NHPA review, archaeological inventory, site monitoring, condition assessments, or cultural resource management in the western United States;
• Fieldwork experience in desert, canyon, backcountry, or other remote settings, including the ability to safely operate or travel in 4WD vehicles, navigate with GPS/topographic maps, and work outdoors under variable conditions.

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, a one-page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully outlined in your resume, and contact information for three professional references. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact isengupta@gbinstitute.org.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This physically demanding work, often in remote locations, will provide crew members with rewarding exposure to some of America's backcountry landscapes. These positions require extensive hiking in sometimes steep terrain at altitudes ranging from sea level to 7,000 ft AMSL. Archaeology crew members will be expected to carry their own personal gear and water on a daily basis, possibly during extreme or inclement weather conditions such as heat, snow, or rain. Work schedules, generally four 10-hour days with 3 days off each week, are subject to change depending on weather and project needs (occasionally 8-hour days with two days off each week). Camping near a work site for several days may be required to meet project objectives.

Archaeology crew members must be able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, camp in the backcountry for consecutive days, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry a heavy pack in excess of 40lbs, and be in overall good physical condition. Prior experience working in similar backcountry settings is preferred.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice