Cultural Resource Specialist

Bat Conservation International

Cultural Resource Specialist

Southwest USA

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Cultural Resource Coordinator (Autumn Cool)

Key Relationships: Restoration Team, Habitat Protection & Restoration Program, Conservation Department 

Salary: $60,000–$64,000 per year  

BCI and our Mission

Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a full-time Cultural Resource Specialist to join BCI’s Conservation Department. The Cultural Resource Specialist will work as part of the Restoration Team in the Habitat Protection & Restoration Program (HP&R). 

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

The successful candidate must be currently permitted or qualified to be permitted as a Principal Investigator/Project Director on state, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service lands in at least one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Preference will be given to candidates who are BLM permittable in southwest New Mexico. The Cultural Resources Specialist will oversee and conduct fieldwork and reporting for cultural resource inventories based in the American Southwest. They will work directly with BCI’s Cultural Resource Coordinator to coordinate with internal teams in HP&R and external partners to support BCI’s work in the states. Cultural resources work includes overseeing field crew and reporting writing staff, conducting fieldwork, documenting and analyzing archaeological sites, completing cultural resource inventory forms, and writing archaeological technical reports. 

BCI’s cultural resource inventories are primarily done in combination with subterranean bat surveys to gather information on wildlife and cultural resources at abandoned mines. The inventories are used to guide treatment recommendations to protect important cultural and biological resources during safeguarding and closure of abandoned mines on public lands. BCI’s cultural resource inventories also include block and linear pedestrian surveys of areas selected for wildlife habitat improvement and restoration projects. This position will also assist with other project duties, including data and photo organization, map production, conducting research, and other tasks. 

Our program highly encourages all staff to seek out opportunities within other teams and specialties to better understand the full capacity of the HP&R program and to build working relationships with colleagues outside of their respective specialties and teams. The ideal candidate will be willing and able to provide writing and fieldwork assistance to other teams within HP&R during lulls in cultural resources work. BCI offers on-the-job training, and opportunities for additional safety/medical certifications may be available. Traversing challenging terrain on foot and conducting surveys in inclement, uncomfortable, and variable weather is a part of all field-based work within HP&R. 

Work Schedule

The Cultural Resource Specialist is a full-time, primarily remote position. The work schedule will vary based on project needs and availability. The primary duties of the position are to serve as Principal Inspector/Field Director for cultural resource inventories in permitted regions. This includes coordinating with coworkers and external partners and leading fieldwork and reporting tasks. The Cultural Resource Specialist will also assist with fieldwork and other project duties for cultural resource inventories led by other BCI staff in other regions as project needs and availability require. Reporting tasks will be completed remotely from a home office. Office work will comprise the majority of duties. 

Fieldwork may include up to two field sessions per month during the field season. When fieldwork is expected, advance notice of 1–2 months is generally provided. Fieldwork requires traveling to project sites and living and working in or near project locations. Projects are often in remote, mountainous terrain near small communities with limited services. Field sessions typically last five weekdays, including paid travel days, though some projects may last longer and may include working weekends. Travel and fieldwork days range from 8–12 working hours, sometimes more. Overnight lodging will usually be provided in single-occupancy hotel rooms or shared house rentals with private bedrooms for each team member. Some projects may require overnight camping; BCI will provide basic camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag and pad, stove, etc.) as needed. Meals, equipment, and travel costs will be reimbursed to federal per diem standards. 

Additional opportunities within HP&R – if interest and availability permit – may include conducting subterranean wildlife surveys, generating subterranean survey reports, protecting and restoring water resources for wildlife, assisting with agave plantings, generating post-restoration activity reports, assisting with drone surveys, drafting National Environmental Policy Act compliance documents, grant writing, and assisting with data management.

Position Overview

• Serve as Principal Investigator/Project Director for projects located in at least one of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Preference will be given to candidates who are BLM permittable in southwest New Mexico. 
• Conduct fieldwork and reporting for cultural resource inventories, alternately serving as PI/PD or assistant archaeologist as determined by project needs and permit status.
• Write technical reports, complete archaeological site/resource forms, draw site sketch maps, and organize data and photos. 
• Conduct background research using archival records, physical and online sources, and historical maps and photographs. 
• Interpret results of surveys based on field notes, photography, and GIS data. 
• Synthesize information to create appropriate National Register of Historic Places eligibility assessments and resource management recommendations. 
• Survey and document historic and prehistoric archaeological resources using digital field forms, photographs, and GPS devices. 
• Plan and manage logistics for field projects, including making travel reservations, route planning and navigation, and maintaining gear. 
• Collaborate with teams in BCI to support the growth of archaeology and cultural resource management in conservation work.

Qualifications and Skills Needed (70% or more of the desired skills, we encourage you to apply):

Required Knowledge/Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study such as archaeology, history, anthropology, or historic preservation. 
• Previous archaeological report writing or editing experience. 
• Experience completing cultural resource inventory forms, including NRHP recommendations. 
• Ability to review, synthesize, and interpret archaeological data and communicate conclusions verbally and in writing.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort communicating with colleagues in a remote work environment.
• Experience working in cooperative, small-team settings. 
• Experience working outdoors and comfort moving through difficult terrain with limited resources.
• Experience driving off-road.
• Reliable and self-motivated worker.
• Demonstrate initiative and resourceful problem-solving skills to optimize project completion.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, including utilizing style templates and automatic cross-references. 
• Must have a valid US driver’s license and clean driving record.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience in digital mapping (e.g., using EOS GPS, Trimble, or ArcGIS Field Maps) and digital site documentation (e.g., using ArcGIS Survey123).
• Experience using GIS programs to create and modify spatial data (e.g., using ArcGIS Pro or QGIS). 
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience leading field crews.
• Experience using hand tools (e.g., shovel, saw, pick, axe).
• Experience and/or interest in using rock climbing equipment.
• Certifications in first aid, CPR, and/or wilderness medicine.

Field Conditions and Physical Effort

• Fieldwork requires considerable physical activity; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 30 pounds may be required. 
• Work environments involve some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require situational awareness, adherence to basic safety precautions, and open communication.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, unpleasant odors, strong winds, and/or rain.
• Fieldwork requires hiking at high altitudes in rugged terrain with steep slopes (>30°) and elevation changes of more than 1,000 feet.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

BCI is deeply committed to JEDI and embeds JEDI-centered practices in our conservation work and organizational culture. BCI is determined to be an employer of choice and believes that the best organizational performance will come from a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment. 
 

What We Offer You:

The salary range for this position is $60,000–$64,000 based on location and experience. BCI 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; and health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

To Apply

If you have 70% or more of the skills needed, we encourage you to apply. Candidates interested in this position should submit their resume, a cover letter, and a writing sample. The cover letter should describe what unique qualities the applicant can bring to the role and to Bat Conservation International as a whole. The writing sample should be a site narrative or report chapter demonstrating the applicant’s technical archaeological writing skills. 

The deadline to apply for this position is April 4, 2025. Interviews will begin in April, with an ideal start date in late April/early May 2025.

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