Job Description

The position will be hosted on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest based in Darrington, WA to assist with forest heritage program work supporting timber sales. Projects will predominately include archaeological surveys and site recording, as well as assisting with digital documentation needs such as database entry and artifact cataloging.

The goal of the position is to introduce students and recent graduates to what it is like to be an archaeologist for the federal government! Placements will be trained in survey methodology, artifact identification, and archival techniques that will provide a foundational skillset necessary for pursuing a professional career in archaeology.

The position is primarily field-going and may involve strenuous outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, climbing, riding (ATV), backpacking and overnight camping, often in steep, rough terrain in isolated areas in a forest environment in black/brown bear habitats. Working weather conditions may be inclement at times, but temperatures are usually in the 60s-80s with enough sunny days to combat the rainy ones.

Location

Darrington, WA

Schedule

June 1, 2026 - August 28, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Assisting Forest Archaeologists with inventory, evaluation, protection and interpretation of historic and precontact sites located on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This includes fieldwork associated with surveys of proposed Forest Service timber sale project areas and field verifications of archaeological and historical sites that may be affected by these projects. Additional tasks may include artifact analysis, digital data documentation (such as scanning hard copy reports and working with our digital site database – Heritage Web), and collections management.

Marginal Duties

• There may be opportunities for cross-training with other program areas, such as recreation or wildlife.
• Inventorying office supplies and field gear— tracking items like flagging tape, GPS batteries, notebooks, and PPE.

Age Requirement

Adults 18 or older

Required Qualifications

• Participants should have some experience with (and ideally enjoy) working/recreating outside.
• Participants should also be actively pursuing, or recently graduated with, an education in Archaeology/Anthropology or a related field such as History or Geography.
• Participants should be able to carry 25lbs while traversing rough and uneven terrain over extended walking distances.
• Fieldwork often requires 8-10 hours of traversing through forested landscapes that vary in vegetation density, while carrying necessary field gear for the day.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with mobile mapping and data collection applications such as Avenza and ESRI Field Maps, as well as experience with ArcGIS Pro would be ideal. However, adequate training will be provided on these applications and how they are used in our day-to-day workflow.
• Overall, participants should be open to new experiences and cultures, easy going and flexible.
• We are looking for someone who is driven in the field of cultural resource management.
• Applicants should appreciate hard physical work and enjoy being outside in the woods, but also amenable to office work.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Shared housing facilities, bunkhouse space available (if needed). This includes shared living areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, with expectations for maintaining building cleanliness, and working facilities by reporting any issues/maintenance needs. Alcohol is not allowed in shared housing and that there will be monthly inspections. Laundry facilities may or may not be available.

Compensation

• $1,300 One-time round-trip travel allowance
• $750 Weekly living allowance
• $500 Monthly housing allowance (4 disbursements)
• $600 Duty-related travel

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.