Primary Purpose of the Position:
This is an advanced professional, administrative, and field position in evaluating and managing archaeological resources throughout the state. Employee directs projects in the conservation and management of historic and prehistoric archaeological sites, both on land and underwater, and at state-owned historic sites. Employee reviews project and technical evaluation reports form archaeological investigations by independent contractors or agencies and is responsible for planning and supervising field and laboratory work in excavation, analysis, exhibition, and publication of archaeological sites. This position is a specialist in underwater archaeology requiring specialized training in SCUBA diving, boat handling, marine remote sensing, and use of associated equipment. Employee reports to a higher-level archaeologist or the state Archaeologist and performs related duties, as required.
Key Responsibilities:
Environmental Review: The employee is responsible for reviewing development projects related to state waters in all North Carolina counties in addition to terrestrial review in the coastal region. Federal or state compliance review regulations, plus instructions and procedures of the HPO and OSA, guide review activities. Duties may involve one or all of the following: Evaluation of proposed project plans relative to known or predicted archaeological sites in preparation of draft review letters to the responsible project supervisor, developer, or agency, technical consultations on, and if requested, preparation of formal scopes of work for investigations required to satisfy federal or state regulations; transfer of site and project data to maps and digital tracking systems; review of all documentation of investigations; preparation of formal opinions on significance and preservation/protection requirements for specific archaeological sites; close coordination of all phases of work with OSA and HPO staff meeting members, including maintenance of files, reports, map, and other project data.
The environmental review process is a primary required function of the Office of State Archaeology, in concert with the State Historic Preservation Office. Specific procedures are internally defined, and the process is conducted in accordance with federal and state historic preservation and environmental protection laws. Significant sums of public and private funds may be affected by the decisions made during the review process.
Field Archaeology and Site Recording: The employee is responsible for overseeing or participating in field investigations conducted at North Carolina submerged sites. This may include remote sensing surveys, diving investigations, site mapping, excavation, artifact recovery, record keeping, artifact analysis, data analysis, and report preparation. This will include data management for UAB records gathered from historic and modern charts, acoustic and magnetic surveys, archaeological and artifact drawings/images, site and artifact records, and related material.
Public Education and Outreach: Formal and informal presentations, tourists, and workshops are made upon request to civic, school, and professional organizations. Topics include general archaeology, prehistory, archaeological resource planning and management, or similar subjects. In addition, the position coordinates with other staff members in production of newsletters, brochures, and other educational materials supported by UAB, OSA, the North Carolina archaeological society, and similar information through approved websites and social media. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form to individuals, groups, and the public.
Diving Supervision and Equipment Management: This employee serves as a scientific diving supervisor and assistant diving safety officer ensuring all diving oversight duties, as delegated by the diving safety officer, are conducted in accordance with applicable diving regulations, standards, and procedures. This may include staff or volunteer diver training, maintenance of diver equipment records, ensuring all dive and accessory equipment is maintained in a safe and fully functional condition according to established schedules, and other related duties as assigned. The employee will also oversee boat and field equipment maintenance and functionality in coordination with Deputy State Archaeologist – Underwater Diving Safety Officer.
Section Information:
The Office of State Archaeology coordinates and implements a statewide program, historic and underwater archaeology. The OSA is part of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. The OSA serves as the professional archaeology staff for the State Historic Preservation Office and the NC Historical Commission. Legal and professional responsibilities include archaeological resource protection, data inventory, collections and records management, public education, environmental review, grants administration, and technical assistance to the public and other governmental agencies.
Division Information:
The Division of Historical Resources within the Office of Archives and History is home to four programs, including the Office of State Archaeology; the Highway Historical Marker Program; The Historical Preservation Office; and Historical Publications. The work of these programs is diverse from marking historic places with highway historical markers to helping economic growth by aiding the rehabilitation of historic buildings to aiding constituents with preserving archaeological sites.
Underwater Archaeology and Maritime History jobs 