Working cooperatively with the National Park Service’s Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting to hire a Historic Preservation Specialist to join our Research Associate (RA) program and work within JOTR’s Historic Structures and Cultural Landscapes program. The principal objective of this position is to implement activities focused on promoting cultural scientific research related to JOTR in preservation of historic structures and cultural landscapes.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Apply preservation and preventative treatments on a variety of historic mining and homesteading related structures and other landscape features, including timber, masonry, adobe, and concrete materials;
- Lead others, including volunteers, conservation crews, and other park staff, in preservation treatments;
- Assist with conditions assessment and monitoring of historic structures and cultural landscapes;
- Research, prepare and complete National Register of Historic Places Nominations and Determinations of Eligibility;
- Write sections of draft reports;
- Conduct database entry and file management;
- And other routine tasks associated with Science and Resource Stewardship Division functions.
Completing historic preservation projects in the desert southwest requires the physical endurance to walk over a variety of terrain and in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat, while carrying a heavy pack. Overnight camping for several days at a time in remote areas requiring packing in all supplies and materials may be required.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in architecture, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or closely related field and/or historic preservation field experience; applicants with advanced degrees are encouraged to apply;
- Knowledge of historic structures, standard treatments for historic properties, and historic artifacts of the Mojave Desert regions of the southwest;
- Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties;
- Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, recording, and treatment protocols;
- Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff (GBI or NPS);
- Experience completing historic preservation treatment documentation records, and entering form data into database programs;
- Ability to utilize ArcGIS and/or AutoCAD software to build maps, organize and manage data, and manipulate data layers;
- Experience operating hand-held GPS equipment for navigation and electronic field data collection; experience post-processing field data preferred;
- Read and interpret topographical maps and navigate using a compass;
- Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;
- Ability to work productively and cooperatively as part of a team focused on accomplishing mutual goals and communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
- Possess good organizational skills and be detail oriented; and
- Ability 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 35-45 lbs, and be in overall good physical condition; prior experience working in the desert southwest, or similar desert climates, desirable.
- Successful applicant must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to NPS human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.
- Wage: $28.00 per hour
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
- Camping Per Diem: $20/day (when applicable)
- Paid leave and holidays
More information and how to apply is available here.