ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST 1 ARCHAEOLOGY

Definition

Under supervision of the Chief of the Office of Environmental Review in the Department of Environmental Protection, assists in planning and executing archaeological and cultural resources investigations, administering the archaeological portion of state and federal environmental review process, and advising on matters concerning archaeological preservation, or under supervision of a supervisory official in the Bureau of Environmental Analysis, Division of Economic and Environmental Analysis, Department of Transportation, conducts archival searches, locates and conducts investigations of archaeological sites, and acts as liaison between the department and archaeological subconsultants; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• In the Department of Environmental Protection:
• Assists in planning, directing, and executing archaeological resources, research surveys, and recovery programs.
• Assists in administering and coordinating the archaeological portion of the Office of Environmental Review's environmental impact statement review program in accord with federal environmental statutes.
• Applies the criteria of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to federally funded, licensed, and authorized undertakings to determine the need for archaeological expertise and research.
• Under supervision of the Supervisor of the Cultural Resources Review Program, prepares National Register of Historic Places nominations for archaeological sites and applies National Register criteria to determine presence of and significant archaeological resources within the impact area of a state or federal project.
• Assists in coordinating and reviewing proposals and work products of archaeological consultants and subconsultants retained to conduct surveys in the New Jersey Coastal Zone for CAFRA permit applicants.
• Under supervision of the Supervisor of the Cultural Resources Review Program, applies the criteria of effect and adverse effect to determine whether a proposed federal undertaking will have any effect on archaeological resources included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Maintains close communication with the New Jersey State Museum, the New Jersey Archaeological Society, and other professional institutions and organizations with active programs in New Jersey archaeology.
• Maintains a directory of archaeological and other cultural resources consultants for use by project applicants and government agencies.
• Assists in planning, organizing, and executing investigations of archaeological resources on state owned and controlled lands.
• Assists in preparing guidelines for compliance with state and federal historic preservation and environmental statutes for project applicants and government agencies.
• Prepares cultural resources review comments and statements for the State Historic Preservation Officer.
• Reviews and comments on proposals for archaeological surveys and other investigations to determine whether the work proposed will satisfy the information needs of the State Historic Preservation Officer, the agency official, and project applicant.
• Maintains monthly cultural resources review status reports for the US Environmental Protection Agency, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and the Division of Marine Services, CAFRA Permit Section.
• Assists in preparing case reports on state and federal undertakings in accord with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Advises the Chief of the Office of Environmental Review on the adequacy and appropriateness of proposed mitigation programs for archaeological resources adversely affected by state and federal undertakings.
• In the Department of Transportation:
• Under direction plans, organizes, and conducts the less complex surveys of proposed department projects to determine the potential archaeological involvement and the need for additional surveys.
• Under direction plans, organizes, and conducts the less complex field investigations of sites where potential archaeological involvement is indicated to determine the significance of the site and degree of preservation warranted.
• Assists in determining the probable effects of department projects on archaeological sites, and makes recommendations that will minimize or mitigate those which are adverse.
• Under direction plans and organizes the investigations of sites including test pitting, drafting plans and plotting areas for the scientific excavation of sites, recording stratigraphy, and preserving and recording materials.
• Studies and classifies artifacts, and makes statistical analyses of archaeological objects and materials.
• Applies the National Register criteria of evaluation to determine if sites meet the requirements for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
• Assists in the preparation of the archaeological section of environmental impact statements and other related documents.
• Meets with planning, design, and construction personnel to contribute reports and ideas for minimization of adverse impacts on archaeological sites.
• Assists in the review of consultant submitted reports, scopes of work, proposals, and other related material.
• General:
• Meets with citizens, public officials, and others on archaeological matters.
• Assists in providing instruction to employees on matters pertaining to archaeological sites.
• Operates and maintains technical equipment and devices.
• Assists in the training of employees in archaeological procedures.
• Prepares clear, concise, effective correspondence.
• Prepares clear, concise, and accurate archaeological and related reports.
• Establishes and maintains essential archaeological, technical, and other records, files, and field notes.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or Ethnology.

Experience

One (1) year of archaeological field and laboratory experience.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of and familiarity with techniques of ethnology, anthropology, and archaeological research and their application to specific projects.
• Knowledge of the importance of archaeological records and materials and of the factors important in their preservation.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the archaeology of the eastern states of the United States.
• Knowledge of all federal laws that refer to archaeological preservation after a period of training.
• Knowledge of and skill in scientific field excavation techniques including site investigation, test pitting, planning and plotting areas for scientific excavation, recording stratigraphy, and preserving and recording materials in the field and in the laboratory.
• Knowledge of techniques used in classifying and identifying artifacts.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the cataloging of archaeological and ethnological collections.
• Ability to organize archaeological research and related work, analyze archaeological and anthropological problems, and develop appropriate work methods for individual excavations, surveys, and studies.
• Ability to conduct survey sites, excavation of sites, preservation of artifacts, recording of stratigraphy, and interpretation of findings,
• Ability to prepare reports of findings and other manuscripts for submission to various state and federal agencies.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare clear, archaeologically sound, technically accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain essential archaeological records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A Master's degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or Ethnology may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.