The Deputy State Archaeologist of the Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) supervises and manages professional archaeologists, and technical and clerical support staff, who are charged with implementing and coordinating projects related to the identification, assessment, and inventory of both maritime and terrestrial archaeological resources. Duties are performed under the direct supervision of the State Archaeologist.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Selecting, supervising, and evaluating professional archaeologists, conservators, and support staff that comprise the UAB. In addition to permanent staff, this position supervises temporary staff, students, volunteers, and interns participating in various UAB activities.
- In consultation with the State Archaeologist, planning and the day-to-day operations of the UAB, including policy decisions, budgetary planning and management, as well as supervising maintenance and upkeep of all facilities, vehicles, vessels, and other UAB equipment and purchase of new materials and equipment.
- Serving as the main point of contact between the DNCR and “Any qualified person, firm or corporation desiring to conduct any type of exploration, recovery or salvage operations, in the course of which any part of a derelict vessel or its contents or other submerged archaeological site may be removed, displaced or destroyed,” as defined in NCGS 121 Article 3.
- Advising permit applicants for exploration, recovery, or salvage on DNCR policies for issuing permits and reviews the completed application. Permit applicants must submit to criminal background checks by the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Deputy State Archaeologist and State Archaeologist handle confidential information generated as part of that process (NCGS 121-25.1).
- Monitoring permitted activities and reviewing project reports and requests for permit renewals. The employee is also responsible for responding to reports of violation of the “Shipwreck Law” (NCGS 121 Article 3 and the Federal Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987) and coordinating enforcement with state and local law enforcement agencies, District Attorneys, and the NC Attorney General’s Office.
- Establishing schedules and priorities for UAB field projects, and coordinating those activities with local groups (museums, historic sites, local history organizations, and volunteers), other state and federal agencies (Division of Coastal Management, Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, US Coast Guard, etc.), and educational institutions.
- Supervising and participating in all phases of underwater archaeological field work including remote sensing surveys, diving investigations, site mapping, excavations, artifact recovery, record keeping, artifact and data analysis, and report preparation.
- Supervising the review of development projects affecting state waters throughout North Carolina and upland projects in the state’s 30 coastal counties.
- Extensive consulting with federal and state agencies and private development interests including evaluating proposed project plans relative to known or predicted archaeological sites, preparing formal scopes of work and budgets for investigations required to satisfy federal or state regulations, transferring site and project data to maps and digital tracking systems, reviewing investigation documents, preparing formal opinions on the significance and preservation/protection requirements for specific archaeological sites, and coordinating of all phases of work with State Archaeologist and Office of State Archaeology and State Historic Preservation Office staff.
- Responding to requests from the public, other state and federal agencies, and educational institutions for information on North Carolina shipwrecks, maritime history, archaeological site management, and other aspects of the UAB program.
- Supervising operations of an archaeological conservation laboratory at Fort Fisher, including working with archaeological conservators and staff to ensure artifacts are properly inventoried, stored, accessioned, and receive appropriate conservation treatments; and that artifact records are maintained in digital databases.
Position/Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds
- Must be able to participate in archaeological field investigations, which includes walking on uneven surfaces and terrain.
- Must be able to work in unfavorable weather conditions including exposure to noise, dust, animals, and insects.
- SCUBA diving certification from a nationally recognized organization to at least rescue diver level (or equivalent) and ability to meet/maintain requirements set forth in the UAB dive safety manual as a scientific diver which follows American Academy of Underwater Sciences Guidelines (aaus.org).
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
Qualified candidates must have or be able to:
- Demonstrated experience with budget preparation, operations, and/or contract oversight.
- Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal archaeology, and historical resource protection laws and regulations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of North Carolina archaeology, including prehistoric and historic, and maritime and terrestrial archaeology.
- Demonstrated experience with marine remote sensing, i.e., side scan sonar, magnetometers, and maritime navigation software.
- Training as a scientific diver with experience in conducting and supervising scientific research related diving.
Management Prefers:
- Demonstrated knowledge with environmental reviews related to NCOSA and SHPO regulatory compliance review procedures
- Current/active diving instructor from a nationally recognized organization or member of the Recreational SCUBA Training Council
- Current/active instructor for CPR, First Aid, and Emergency Oxygen Administration
- Current certification as a SCUBA equipment repair technician
- Demonstrated experience with trailering, launching, recovering, and handling small boats
- Experience demonstrating exceptional organizational, communication, and diplomacy skills.
- Demonstrated experience reviewing, comprehending, and implementing a variety of policies and planning documents.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See of oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Master’s degree or higher in North American archaeology, anthropology, or a closely related field from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of archaeological experience of which four must be supervisory experience;
OR
Bachelor’s degree in North American archaeology, anthropology, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and eight years of archaeological experience of which six must be supervisory experience;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental and Contact Information
Section/Unit Description:
The Office of State Archaeology coordinates and implements a statewide program of prehistoric, historic, and underwater archaeology. The OSA is part of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Department of 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 government agencies.
Division Description:
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 Historic Preservation Office; and Historical Publications. The work of these programs is diverse from marking historic places with highway historical markers to helping drive economic growth by aiding the rehabilitation of historic buildings to aiding constituents with preserving archaeological sites.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z. The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else – parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library and Archives, historic preservation, land and water stewardship, and more. These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity in North Carolina. They provide common ground. Everyone is welcome. The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state’s diverse population, culture, and history. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team. Check out this amazing video about our Department.
DNCR selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.
Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. “See Resume” or “See Attachment” will NOT be accepted.
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the “Work Experience” section of the application, to support your answers.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.
To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders.
Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax. Please call the human resources office for assistance.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are “Under Review” and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Human Resources
Melissa Riley
109 E. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27109
Phone: 919-814-6670
employment@dncr.nc.gov
Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.
Underwater Archaeology and Maritime History jobs 