Forest Archaeology Individual Placements

Job Overview

Title: Forest Archaeology Individual Placements

Positions: 10

Location: Based out of Roanoke, VA

Dates of Service: Feb. 9, 2026 to Jan. 22, 2027 (50-week term)

Pay: $760/week paid biweekly ($480/week living stipend + $280 additional member benefit)

Status: This is a full-time, temporary 1700-hour AmeriCorps National Service position.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Appalachian Conservation Corps:

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.

Position Summary:

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests include eight Ranger Districts covering 34 counties in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.  The area covers nearly 1.8 million acres of public land, representing one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States.

Appalachian Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Forest Service in Virginia are recruiting 3 teams of Forest Archaeology Individual Placements to work on projects in 2026.

During their terms, members will conduct archaeological monitoring, survey, excavation of archaeological resources, GIS recordation, as well as the recordation and reporting of archaeological sites and survey for the USFS to the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office and various Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. Fieldwork includes locating prehistoric and historic sites, recording archaeological and environmental data, maintaining essential field documentation, and reporting the information collected. Project work may vary but will include shovel testing, pedestrian survey, open excavations, back filling, artifact processing, GPS recordation of site locations, and ground delineation of sites for physical avoidance. Laboratory work includes production of field catalogs and inventories of archaeological data, washing and sorting artifacts, analyzing artifacts, and field data, producing maps and drawings, database entry, cataloging and entering site data into both NRM and VCRIS recordation systems .

In addition to archaeological work, projects may include some interdisciplinary work pertaining to natural resource management depending on the needs of the partnering agency. During their terms, Interns will receive training and certifications to be able to participate in various archaeological projects. This position is heavily field based and involves frequent travel to districts throughout the forest and daily physical activity.

Essential roles and responsibilities include:

Cultural Resource Survey with Archaeologist

• Complete background research for the project area, develop field maps, schedule, and prepare equipment

• Conduct pedestrian survey or other approved survey methods for the project area

• Record cultural resources in the field: write forms, take photos, record location

• Flag cultural resources for avoidance

• Download data at the office

Write Cultural Resource Documentation with Archaeologist

• Essential functions and responsibilities

• Develop GIS maps for the project area and any documented cultural resources

• Collaborate on completing cultural resource forms and reports

• Maintain cultural resource project documentation and records

Housing is NOT provided for this position. We are seeking candidates who reside within the surrounding area.

Benefits:

• $760/week paid biweekly ($480/week living stipend + $280 additional member benefit)

• $7,395 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)

• $1000 professional development fund

• Option to enroll in health, vision and dental insurance

• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions.

• Federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff

• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist

• Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered (Chainsaw training, pesticides, etc)

• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements

• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths

General Qualifications:

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. In addition, applicants must:

• Possess a valid driver’s license

• Physically capable of strenuous field activities (off-trail hiking, monitoring, survey, etc.) for 10 hours in adverse conditions (high heat, high humidity, biting insects, rough terrain, inclement weather) while carrying up to 40 lbs.

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Desired Skills/Qualifications:

• The position requires educational experience in Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural Resource Management, or Historic Preservation

• Experience with Virginia archaeological fieldwork is preferred

• Students with cultural resource inventory and limited testing, artifact analysis, preparation of cultural resource inventory reports and site forms

• GIS proficiency: data collection, site and survey map production, and ArcGIS suite navigation, and Microsoft Word Suite

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume that highlights any education, work or volunteer experience, skills and trainings that may apply to this position. In addition to your resume, you may submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements.

Our Promise:

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.