NPS Terrestrial and Submerged Archaeology Intern

Start Date: YTBD, 2017
End Date: One year from start date, 2018 A 52-week commitment is required *

Location: Biscayne National Park – Homestead, Florida.
Within sight of downtown Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. Here too is evidence of 10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to pineapple farmers and presidents. Outdoors enthusiasts can boat, snorkel, camp, watch wildlife…or simply relax in a rocking chair gazing out over the bay.

Project Website: For more information about the park, please visit their website at: https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm . For more information regarding American Conservation Experience: http://www.usaconservation.org/ .

Compensation: The ACE intern will be expected to serve 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $300/week plus a housing allowance of $225/week for a total of $525/week, paid out bi-weekly. A one-time (not to exceed) $400 travel reimbursement is also available for the intern to ease associated costs of relocation.
The intern will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel, though a personal vehicle is required for time off and transportation to/from the duty station. Housing may be available provided (for a fee) by the NPS, but is not guaranteed.
AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($2,887.50) upon successful completion of internship hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Position Description:The primary requirements of the internship will be:

• serve as an assistant and “dive buddy” to the park archeologist and/or archeological technician during underwater archeological site monitoring and condition assessments.
• participate in a large-scale survey and inventory project focused on new site identification, particularly the potential remains of the Guerrero, a pirate slave trader possibly lost in park waters.
• Participate in an insitu conservation project of large historic iron artifacts
• may also have the opportunity to participate in the instruction of an avocational archeological training program directed to the public and local SCUBA diving youth.
• The selected intern is also encouraged to consider personal research interests that may be accommodated by access to the many rich cultural resources of the park.

The CRM intern will work directly for the BISC Chief of Resource Management and alongside an archeological technician. Additional duties include:

• participating in a minimum of 50 archeological site condition assessments (both terrestrial and submerged)
• performing at least 40 hours of research and 80 hours of laboratory work to assist with the Guerrero survey, will assist in drafting archeological site reports and plans, and will assist with the maintenance of the NPS ASMIS (Archeological Sites Management and Information System) database.
• potentially assist in archeological field investigations that may include underwater or terrestrial site survey or test excavations, and will also work in the archeological laboratory working to conserve, process, and analyze archeological collections from submerged field projects.

Qualifications: Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in Anthropology, History, Archeology, or a closely related field.

Required:
Intern must be a certified SCUBA diver (open water or higher level) and possessing of a physical condition allowing them to pass a medical exam and strenuous swimming and SCUBA diving assessments required of all NPS scientific divers. SCUBA diving is a requirement of this internship and any recipients of the internship who do not pass the NPS SCUBA requirements will be replaced.

Intern must have independent means of transportation. Though adjacent to an urban setting, the park is remote from public transportation. Between the ages of 18 and 35 Must be a US Citizen and Permanent Resident Must have a valid driver’s license; clean driving record, and the ability to provide documentation, personal vehicle is required English proficiency required Effective communication skills Ability to complete tasks well with others and individually Ability to safely follow procedures used in the field Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required Intern must provide a recent writing sample.
The interns must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

Preferred: Ideal intern would have experience with archeological field work in both submerged and terrestrial environments. Ideal intern would have experience with, or knowledge of, Geographic Information System (GIS) applications in cultural resource management. Ideal intern would have experience with or knowledge of techniques of archeological material conservation, particularly with materials recovered from submerged environments. Ideal intern would have experience with small boat operation.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume, cover letter, recent writing sample, and relevant SCUBA certification, along with three professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on the ACE website: usaconservation.org
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This posting may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Program Manager, Peter Woodruff at (801) 989-7069 or pwoodruff@usaconservation.org .