Cultural Resource Management Assistant

Hist/Arch and Preservationist II

State Parks - Headquarters

Closes On: 12/26/2024

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/jobs?j=2024-12-06-14-38-16-996736-540 

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Hiring Range: $20.00-$24.00 per hour

THE AGENCY
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is the state’s lead conservation agency and it takes a diverse agency to work for a diverse commonwealth. DCR protects what people care about – access to the outdoors, natural habitats, open spaces, clean water and safe infrastructure. We manage 43 Virginia State Parks, which has thousands of campsites, hundreds of cabins, beaches, festivals, educational programs, more than 500 miles of trails … the list goes on.

If you’re someone who wants to love what you do, and make a difference, DCR is the place for you!

THE DIVISION
The Division of Virginia State Parks fulfills its mission “to conserve the natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth and provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the good stewardship of these lands, waters and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations” by operating a system of 43 state parks that encompass over 75,000 acres; over 1200 buildings, almost 1700 campsites; over 300 cabins; over 700 miles of trails; nearly 500 miles of shoreline; 36 lakes and ponds; 11 swimming beaches; 4 international dark sky sites, and offers over 20,000 educational programs and workshops each year.

Managed by a full time staff of 275 and a wage staff of 1000+ during the prime season, Virginia’s award-winning state park system boasts an incredible and diverse array of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources; including parks in the mountains; on the ocean; on the Chesapeake Bay; on 8 major rivers; on 4 major lakes; 4 rail trails; and 3 battlefield sites, and 32 sites listed on the National Historic Registry. It is our honor and privilege to play host to more than 8 million visitors annually and to offer recreational enjoyment that positively impacts local communities and the Commonwealth overall (to the tune of an economic impact that exceeds $324 million).

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Cultural Resource Management Assistant will assist the Resource Management Team at Virginia State Parks with various support functions. This position reports to the State Parks Cultural Resource Manager but will also work collaboratively with all members of the Resource Management Team. The Resource Management Section of the State Parks Division provides guidance and oversight of resource management for Virginia State Parks including natural and cultural resources, physical resources (infrastructure and the built environment), as well as coordination of division resource data and planning efforts. This position will assist headquarters and field staff on assigned cultural resource tasks and related resource management field work.

This position will have the opportunity for telework and will need to report to the Richmond, VA office. Occasional daily and overnight travel and a valid driver's license will be required. 

Job duties for this position will include the following:

• Cultural Resource Inventory and Research
• Conducts historical and archival research focused on cultural resources within and associated with Virginia State Parks.
• Writes historical contexts for parks and their associated cultural resources.
• Writes cultural resource inventories and assessments.
• Assists with writing cultural resource management plans.
• Assists with writing research reports on cultural resources.
• Assists with reviewing cultural resource related research.
• Participates in occasional daily and overnight travel for field work and trainings.

Cultural Resource Management

• Aids in the inventorying and assessment of cultural resources within current and future Virginia State Parks.
• Enters and updates entries in the Virginia Cultural Resource Inventory System (V-CRIS) as related to Virginia State Parks.
• Provides field support for Cultural Resource projects, such as studies, surveys, data collection, and maintaining various geospatial and non-geospatial databases on an as-needed basis across the Commonwealth.
• Assists with future Cultural Resource Management needs, as directed.

Other Routine Duties

• Attends staff meetings and employee training as required.
• Other team support duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural resources in Virginia.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience writing about Virginia history in an academic or professional setting.
• Demonstrated experience in cultural resource work focused on archaeology, historic architecture, and cemeteries.
• Writing, editing, and communication skills on cultural resource topics.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft applications including Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams, and Adobe Acrobat.

Additional Considerations

• Experience creating and editing entries in V-CRIS.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including familiarity with Esri software or equivalent such as ArcPro, Field Maps, and ArcGIS Online, and StoryMaps.
• Experience working with Tribal Nations.
• Experience in Historic Preservation, Anthropology, Museum Studies, History, or a related field.