Start Date: June 12, 2023 – February 12, 2024

Compensation: $650 per week + $1000 monthly for housing

Medical Insurance Included

Application Due: April 15, 2023 

The Resource Assistants Program seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers. You must be:

• a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

• fully vaccinated for covid-19 prior to the start of their internship.

• a college graduate.

• personal vehicle required.

Please Apply Here

Project Description:

Conducts inventories of Forest cultural resources in areas of proposed Forest Service projects. Research reference materials such as State and National register files, historic documents, archeological reports, maps and aerial photos, and interviews source individuals concerning project areas. 

• Performs on-the-ground area surveys for surface and subsurface evidence of historic and prehistoric archeological remains. Identifies and records historic and prehistoric cultural resource sites. 
• Performs a variety of computations and assessments of standard archeological data, such as entering archeological artifacts and projects data in appropriate forms and databases. Produces site and survey maps. 
• Transfers GPS data to a GIS Arc View program loaded in a computer to create a map. Conducts cultural resource surveys of areas designated for various projects. Records sites and monitors affected sites during these project activities.
•  Ensures that archeology work assignments are carried out in safe, timely manner according to established standards and procedures. 
• Reviews work in progress to see that standards for pre-field research, survey design, site recording, graphics, and final report are being met. 
• Advises other employees on methods of cultural resource inventory and provides written instructions, research materials and supplies to all involved in planning and operation of natural resource activities.  May serve as a crew work leader.

Required 

• Knowledge of established methods and techniques for archeological field survey, recording historic and prehistoric cultural resources, and testing archeological sites. 
• Ability to perform library and archival research and oral interviewing to locate and obtain information. 
• Practical knowledge of the local geography, archeology, ethnography and history of the area within and adjacent to the Forest. 
• Knowledge of technical report writing to prepare reports.
• Skill using compass, aerial photos, topographic maps and GPS units to locate sites and survey areas. 
• Knowledge of accepted safety practices to prevent injury or loss of life.

Supervisory Controls:                                 

• The supervisor provides assignments in terms of projects to be completed without explicit instruction as to work methods. 
• The immediate supervisor provides guidance and instruction on unique, unusual problems or situations that occur during work progress.
• Finished work is reviewed for completeness, adequacy and compliance with Forest Service policies and procedures.

Complexity:                           

• Conducts pre-field office research, field surveys and site testing, using a variety of reference materials, informants, aerial photos, technical forms and technical instruments. From cultural resource survey data, summarizes and prepares Archeological Reconnaissance Reports and maps indicating the location of cultural resources necessary for evaluation and management of the cultural resources. 
• The incumbent applies practical knowledge and understanding of archeology methods and practices, with consideration to other environmental relationships. 
• The archeology technician selects and adapts cultural resource survey strategies in locating and describing archeological sites.

Scope and Effect:              

• The purpose is to collect and record archaeological data and provide ground work on which decisions are made. This work assists in the inventory of cultural resources on the unit. 
• The accuracy of the technical work has an important impact on subsequent work performed by higher graded technicians and professionals.

Physical Demands:                           

The work may include strenuous outdoor activity, such as walking, climbing, riding (ATV), backpacking and overnight camping, often in steep, rough terrain in isolated areas in a forest environment.

Work Environment:                          

Work is performed outdoors where terrain may be steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with vegetation. Climate ranges from extremely dry to extremely wet and from hot to cold. Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered. The work may require the use of protective clothing and footwear.

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Project Description:

• This position is part of a cohort of 20 climate change-focused internships that will receive specialized training and opportunities to engage with other members of the cohort.The RAP intern will help coordinate and produce creative, multi-media content in collaboration with other team members of the USDA Northeast Climate Hub. Types of tasks may include:
  • Research market for a potential podcast story/series that would be focused on investigating or discussing climate change challenges and/or mitigation/solutions in the Northeast region. And depending on interest, help produce podcast episodes.
  • Help organize and coordinate regional climate change webinars with researchers, extension, natural resource managers, and farmers.
  • Interview webinar presenters to create short, candid but informative articles that highlight upcoming webinar topics and state clear climate change connections.
  • Work with webinar presenter(s) to write 1-page research briefs about information presented in webinar and include related/relevant resources.
  • Draft social media posts for the National USDA Climate Hub’s Twitter account that highlight the (Northeast) Climate Hub’s work and share practical/important information within the Climate Hub’s mission (to be reviewed by supervisor and Northeast Climate Hub team members).
  • Create story maps or interactive/dynamic materials to highlight existing USDA Northeast Climate Hub products.
  • Conduct literature reviews for science-based newsletter articles.
  • Help review and add tools to the Hub Toolshed.

Required 

• Knowledge of established methods and techniques for archeological field survey, recording historic and prehistoric cultural resources, and testing archeological sites. 
• Ability to perform library and archival research and oral interviewing to locate and obtain information. 
• Practical knowledge of the local geography, archeology, ethnography and history of the area within and adjacent to the Forest. 
• Knowledge of technical report writing to prepare reports.
• Skill using compass, aerial photos, topographic maps and GPS units to locate sites and survey areas. 
• Knowledge of accepted safety practices to prevent injury or loss of life.

Supervisory Controls:                                 

• The supervisor provides assignments in terms of projects to be completed without explicit instruction as to work methods. 
• The immediate supervisor provides guidance and instruction on unique, unusual problems or situations that occur during work progress.
• Finished work is reviewed for completeness, adequacy and compliance with Forest Service policies and procedures.

Complexity:                           

• Conducts pre-field office research, field surveys and site testing, using a variety of reference materials, informants, aerial photos, technical forms and technical instruments. From cultural resource survey data, summarizes and prepares Archeological Reconnaissance Reports and maps indicating the location of cultural resources necessary for evaluation and management of the cultural resources. 
• The incumbent applies practical knowledge and understanding of archeology methods and practices, with consideration to other environmental relationships. 
• The archeology technician selects and adapts cultural resource survey strategies in locating and describing archeological sites.

Scope and Effect:              

• The purpose is to collect and record archaeological data and provide ground work on which decisions are made. This work assists in the inventory of cultural resources on the unit. 
• The accuracy of the technical work has an important impact on subsequent work performed by higher graded technicians and professionals.

Physical Demands:                           

The work may include strenuous outdoor activity, such as walking, climbing, riding (ATV), backpacking and overnight camping, often in steep, rough terrain in isolated areas in a forest environment.

Work Environment:                          

Work is performed outdoors where terrain may be steep, uneven, rocky, and covered with vegetation. Climate ranges from extremely dry to extremely wet and from hot to cold. Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered. The work may require the use of protective clothing and footwear.

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

All RAP interns receive Direct Hire Authority (DHA) at the successful conclusion of their internship. DHA status enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant. A DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. For more information, please click HERE.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.