Cultural Resource Specialist

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a Cultural Resources Specialist to join BCI's Conservation Team.

The Cultural Resource Specialist will work as part of the Compliance Team in BCI's Habitat Protection and Restoration Program. The Cultural Resources Specialist will provide technical expertise to assist in the safeguarding and closure of abandoned mines under BCI agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy Defense-Related Uranium Mine (DOE DRUM) program, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The Cultural Resource Specialist will work closely with and report to BCI's NEPA & ESA Compliance Specialist to speed up mine safeguarding on public lands in the interest of protecting important roosting habitats for bats.

The Cultural Resource Specialist is a grant funded full-time position that will be active until 2025, with the intent to make it a permanent position contingent on funding and performance. Most work will be based in Colorado and Utah and applicants should live in or be able to easily access these states. The work schedule will vary based on project needs and availability, with field work between 2-3 weeks each month during the field season.

The Cultural Resource Specialist's primary responsibility will be the inventory and analysis of historic properties and artifacts at abandoned mine sites. The Cultural Resource Specialist will be responsible for the assessment of adverse effects and evaluation of significance from mine safeguarding. The Cultural Resource Specialist will also be responsible for the coordination and consultation with federal and state agencies, state historic preservation offices, and tribal nations and communities.

The Cultural Resource Specialist will serve as the primary cultural resource expert at BCI and will assist BCI's team of biologists and natural resource specialists in interpreting and adhering to cultural resource guidelines for conservation projects across the organization's portfolio.
Position Description:

• Coordinate with NEPA & ESA Compliance Specialist to manage cultural resource component of environmental reviews.
• Conduct or facilitate Tribal consultation regarding various proposed actions.
• Implementation of the four steps of the compliance process, including public coordination, identification (inventory and analysis of historic properties), assessment of adverse effects, and resolution of adverse effects.
• Provide demonstrated relevant experience related to impact assessment of archaeological and cultural resources and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106.
• Perform due diligence and permitting for projects that may include development of NEPA documents, including categorical exclusions (CE), environmental assessments (EA), environmental impact statements (EIS), mitigation plans, emergency conservation program (ECP), and other documents required under the Endangered Species Act and other environmental rules, regulations, and associated permitting.
• Project/task management and technical analysis for planning studies, reevaluations, and other similar documents.
• Client/partner management in the form of responsiveness to project needs, clear communication, and strengthening/building relationships based on project work and follow-up.
• Provide leadership in the study, investigation, and resolution of any planning issues, priority setting, material, sequencing, staffing, financial, and/or budget problems to achieve project goals.
• Attend and present at conferences and other networking events to promote exposure of BCI within the fields we operate in.
• Bachelor's and Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field study such as history, archaeology, anthropology, architectural history, art history, historic preservation.
• 3 to 15 years of archaeological/anthropological/historical/cultural resource experience; ideally with demonstrated experience on conservation or restoration projects.
• Ability to conduct field work
• History Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Statewide Archaeology and Paleontology Permit (Survey & Testing) (or ability to acquire quickly).
• Demonstrated knowledge of abandoned mine lands (AML) resources in the Western U.S.
• Demonstrated knowledge of uranium mining in the Western U.S. and associated cultural resources.
• Experience working with tribal nations and communities.
• Experience relating to and understanding tribal nations and communities interests and concerns
• Demonstrated knowledge of scientific rigor, survey methods, and field techniques.
• Experience and knowledge in off-trail navigation via map and compass and/or GPS.
• Ability to manage the tasks of NEPA and ESA projects.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local agency processes, and local, state and federal permitting processes.
• Analytical data review, interpretation, and report preparation.
• Ability to review, synthesize, and interpret cultural resources information and communicate conclusions verbally and in writing.
• Technical skills related to the assessment of cultural and archaeological resources, especially in the Western U.S. for restoration and AML remediation projects.
• Demonstrated success in regulatory negotiations at the federal and state levels.
• Extensive experience and knowledge in 4x4 off-road driving (truck and ATV).
• Certifications in first aid and CPR (training may be provided if necessary).
• Demonstrated ability to manage scope, schedule and budgets effectively.
• Resourceful problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Superior organizational skills and ability to handle a multitude of tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and high motivation.
• Good reasoning abilities and sound judgment.
• Ability to work well with others and within a team.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:
Required Knowledge/Experience

• Bachelor's and Master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field study such as history, archaeology, anthropology, architectural history, art history, historic preservation.
• 3 to 15 years of archaeological/anthropological/historical/cultural resource experience; ideally with demonstrated experience on conservation or restoration projects.
• Ability to conduct field work
• History Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Statewide Archaeology and Paleontology Permit (Survey & Testing) (or ability to acquire quickly).
• Demonstrated knowledge of abandoned mine lands (AML) resources in the Western U.S.
• Demonstrated knowledge of uranium mining in the Western U.S. and associated cultural resources.
• Experience working with tribal nations and communities.
• Experience relating to and understanding tribal nations and communities interests and concerns
• Demonstrated knowledge of scientific rigor, survey methods, and field techniques.
• Experience and knowledge in off-trail navigation via map and compass and/or GPS.
• Ability to manage the tasks of NEPA and ESA projects.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local agency processes, and local, state and federal permitting processes.
• Analytical data review, interpretation, and report preparation.
• Ability to review, synthesize, and interpret cultural resources information and communicate conclusions verbally and in writing.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience:

• Technical skills related to the assessment of cultural and archaeological resources, especially in the Western U.S. for restoration and AML remediation projects.
• Demonstrated success in regulatory negotiations at the federal and state levels.
• Extensive experience and knowledge in 4x4 off-road driving (truck and ATV).
• Certifications in first aid and CPR (training may be provided if necessary).
• Demonstrated ability to manage scope, schedule and budgets effectively.

Work Characteristics and Competencies:

• Resourceful problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Superior organizational skills and ability to handle a multitude of tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and high motivation.
• Good reasoning abilities and sound judgment.
• Ability to work well with others and within a team.

What We Offer You:

The salary range for this position ranges from $53,000- $58,000 based on location and experience. Bat Conservation International offers a competitive compensation package with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Benefits include but are not limited to paid vacation and sick time; 401(k) plan with employer match; Health, dental, and vision insurance plan.

Individuals interested in applying should send their resume and cover letter. Applications are due by midnight on July 16, 2021. Interviews will begin the week of August 2, 2021. The tentative start date will be in late August to early September 2021.

Bat Conservation International is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce and committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community.

For any inquiries, please contact Aaron Sidder at asidder@batcon.org.