About the Organization:
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for Michigan's 9,669-mile state highway system, comprised of all M, I, and US routes. MDOT also administers other state and federal transportation programs for aviation, intercity passenger services, rail freight, local public transit services, grant programs, and others.
Michigan Department of Transportation Connections Recruitment PSA (click on the youtube link below)
https://youtu.be/JmuX_D3LGgA
Position Description:
This position performs a range of professional archaeologist assignments, including reviewing low to moderately complex Local Agency Program (LAP) transportation projects to ensure consistency with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) directives, and the programmatic agreement established between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), FHWA, Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Conducts archaeological field work, laboratory work and reporting as part of the MDOT's overall cultural resource management program in support of categorical exclusion and major action transportation projects. Provides support for Environmental Services LAP staff as needed.
Responsibilities:
- Complete LAP project reviews for low to moderate complexity projects, including conducting background research, assessing the risk to archaeological resources and traditional cultural properties. Provide recommendation to archaeologist 12 to approve Section 106 review or to recommend further review.
- Analyze project impacts on archaeological resources needed to complete full Section 106 project reviews and submit recommendations to archaeologist 12.
- Check project submissions for complete submittals and e-mail submitter with any outstanding items.
- Respond to calls/e-mails from applicants, consultants, and the public.
- Draft template coordination and response letters for cultural resource staff.
- Draft Section 106 response letters with determination of no historic properties affected.
- Create and submit status reports on the progress of project reviews to the archaeologist 12 to report to management, advisory groups and FHWA.
- Conduct archaeological excavations, including performing shovel testing, auger testing, soil probes with attendant screening, and artifact/data collection.
- Direct a field crew in excavation work.
- Process, categorize and catalog artifacts recovered.
- Draw archaeological excavation profiles/plans, site maps with datum, geographic information systems (GIS) mapping, feature mapping, soils profiles, and areal maps.
- Enter data into databases and applications for quantitative and qualitative analyses.
- Analyze data and produce reports on findings with all attendant illustrations, maps, photos, etc.
- Locate and compile data from the Michigan SHPO, various websites, maps, project plans, photos, and any other pertinent data required for complex project reviews being completed by the archaeologist 12.
- Collect mapping information utilizing GIS and consultant databases.
- Create GIS layers of LAP cultural resource surveys.
- Research past LAP archaeology reports at SHPO, pull files and scan for LAP records.
This work area provides environmental analysis, documentation, and guidance for environmental clearance of MDOT LAP transportation projects, as required by federal and state laws, legal mandates, regulations, and procedures. This position provides specialty support in the area of archaeological resources as it pertains to the environmental clearance of local agency projects. This position builds and maintains effective relationships with cooperating federal and state agency personnel, local units of government personnel, and MDOT personnel department-wide to accomplish the above stated goals of the Section.
Basic Requirements for Skills, Experience, Education and Credentials:
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in archaeology or a field of anthropology.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Experience:
Archaeologist 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Archaeologist 10
One year of professional experience conducting archaeological research activities equivalent to an Archaeologist 9.
Archaeologist P11
Two years of professional experience conducting archaeological research activities equivalent to an Archaeologist, including one year equivalent to an Archaeologist 10.
Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:
Must have the ability for interpreting and applying federal and state historic preservation laws. The ability to work without close supervision. The ability to maintain a professional demeanor even under the most stressful circumstances. The ability to write, organize, and communicate effectively. The ability to identify, sort, classify, and analyze artifacts and archaeological features.