State Archeologist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established June 7, 1978

Scope

The State Archeologist series describes four levels of classes involved in the investigation and protection of archeological and other cultural resources. The classes are used primarily within the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with use in other State departments having archeological resource management programs. These classes are used to perform or direct the performance of work in cultural resource management programs; recommend and execute programs to locate, identify, describe, evaluate, preserve, and manage archeological and ethnographic sites, features, structures, and materials; conduct or direct field surveys, archeological excavations, and related archival research; provide research data of archeological significance to various programs in State departments; direct the development of employee training programs in California archeological resources; and do other related work.

Incumbents in these classes plan, direct, coordinate and perform tasks involving the discovery, collection, identification, classification, evaluation, and preservation of a variety of data, objects, and sites of archeological, historical, and ethnographic interest; survey land for archeological sites; excavate and record subsurface features and artifacts; clean, catalog, and curate objects collected in surveys and excavations; review site records and archeological/ethnographic literature, reports, and other archival material; recommend policy with respect to the preservation, identification, and collection of archeological and ethnographical items; prepare reports of the form, function, and content of artifacts and features and compare these with those of other regions, sites, and cultures; do research and reference work in the archeology and ethnography of existing and proposed State Park units; record historic buildings and features, and participate in historic structures investigations; develop or coordinate Department cultural resource programs with programs of other departments, educational institutions, archeological groups, museums, and other State, Federal, and local governmental agencies; prepare inventories of existing archeological resources and recommend plans for cultural resource management and disposition; review and evaluate environmental documents and other reports regarding cultural resources for compliance with environmental regulations and policies; prescribe mitigation measures as necessary; aid in determining statewide needs for cultural resource surveys; provide research data and information on archeological and ethnographic matters to the staff and other agencies; coordinate archeological programs with historical and interpretive programs of various State departments; negotiate contracts for archeological and ethnographic research and reports; maintain communications with appropriate groups that are conducting archeological research of consequence to programs of the State of California; direct seasonal and permanent employees; assist in the development of employee training programs; provide administrative and staff support to various task forces and committees; prepare and give talks to interested groups; prepare or assist in the preparation of budgets, contracts, and personnel actions; keep necessary records and prepare written reports and staff briefings; dictate correspondence.

Entry Level

Entry into the series is either at the Assistant State Archeologist or Associate State Archeologist level.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

The level, variety, and complexity of the work assigned; independence of action; degree of interagency and public contact; degree of supervision exercised or received; degree of technical direction exercised or received; extent of impact on statewide programs; impact of decisions on departmental programs; consequence of error; scope of program and policy implementation; and administrative responsibility.

Definition of Levels

Assistant State Archeologist

This is the entry, training and first working level of this series. As a trainee, under supervision, incumbents perform the less responsible and less complex archeological and ethnographic work, assisting in the preparation of cultural resource inventory documents and in the implementation of management projects; and do other related work.

As knowledge and skills are developed, incumbents develop and organize phases of work related to collection, preservation, and resource management of archeological materials and properties; and conduct site surveys and archeological excavation projects.

Associate State Archeologist

This is the full journey level. Under general direction, incumbents perform the more difficult or varied work of archeological investigation and cultural resource management; incumbents direct and coordinate major archeological excavation projects; provide research data and advice; prepare and submit project budget requests; prepare scientific publications; may act in a lead capacity; may train departmental staff as well as other personnel (including personnel in other State, Federal, and local agencies) in archeological methods and cultural resources management techniques; may budget and administer Federal and State funds; represent the Department in cultural resource matters at meetings with governmental entities, educational institutions, and other groups; and do other related work.

Senior State Archeologist

This is the first supervisory level of this series. In most settings, incumbents supervise and direct a major unit of professional or technical staff within a division or region; have full administrative responsibility; act upon most difficult technical decisions; formulate and implement cultural resource planning or management programs; make recommendations to cultural resource-related problems; and do other related work.

Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program

This is the full supervisory level reporting to the Chief, Resource Protection Division. The incumbent directs and has charge of a major cultural resource section and has statewide responsibility for the formulation, implementation, and administration of cultural resource programs and planning; carries the authority and accountability for timely completion of program objectives and for submittal of products; responsible for operational planning and assigning of projects to the Senior levels within the Section, budget for time and funding, reviewing and evaluating achievements, and preparing administrative reports; coordinates program activities with technical and administrative support sections; assists in formulating policies; maintains liaison with other governmental agencies and private sector.

Minimum Qualifications

Assistant State Archeologist

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major course work in archeology or anthropology. (Registration as a Senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation before they can be considered for appointment.)

Associate State Archeologist

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience performing the duties of a Assistant State Archeologist (Range B) in the California state service.

Or II

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional experience in research, writing, or project supervision in archeological investigation or cultural resource management and protection programs, two years of which shall have been working at a level of responsibility equivalent to an Assistant State Archeologist, Range B, in the California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major course work in archeology or anthropology. (A graduate degree in archeology or anthropology, may be substituted for up to one year of the required general experience and one year of required experience equivalent to Range B.)

Senior State Archeologist

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience performing the duties of an Associate State Archeologist.

Or II

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in research, writing, or project supervision in cultural resource management and protection programs, at least two years of which must have been in administrative or lead capacity, working at a level equivalent in responsibility to an Associate State Archeologist in the California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major course work in archeology or anthropology. (A graduate degree in archeology or anthropology may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.)

Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program

Either I

Experience: One year of experience performing the duties of a Senior State Archeologist or State Historian III.

Or II

Experience: Broad, extensive, and increasingly responsible experience (more than five years) in the analysis, formulation, and implementation of cultural resource management, planning, and protection programs, at least three years of which must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity in full charge of a staff responsible for the development or implementation of cultural resource planning, or management programs, with policy-influencing responsibility, one year of which shall have been working at a level equivalent in responsibility to a Senior State Archeologist in California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major course work in archeology or anthropology. (A graduate degree in archeology or anthropology may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.

Knowledge and Abilities

Assistant State Archeologist

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of archeological resource management and preservation; techniques for the preservation of archeological collections; the major aspects of American archeological field methods; laboratory and museum techniques, procedures, and operations; Indians of Western North America; geology; paleontology; ecology; comparative osteology; California history; basic techniques of surveying; archeological research methods; literature and publications dealing with archeological and ethnographical methods and techniques; private and public organizations concerned with anthropological research in California.

Ability to: Prepare accurate drawings and take photographs of archeological remains, artifacts, and related materials for use in published reports; read and prepare maps; perform archeological field work; coordinate the efforts of small work teams; identify and record pertinent data revealed during excavations; evaluate environmental impacts upon various archeological resources and develop and recommend effective mitigation procedures; speak and write effectively; keep necessary records and prepare reports; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

Associate State Archeologist

Knowledge of: All of the above.

Ability to: All of the above, and evaluate complex archeological and ethnographic studies; develop innovative resource management programs for the protection, restoration and perpetuation of cultural resources; coordinate and lead the work of others; provide instruction in archeological excavation techniques; prepare clear, complete and technically accurate reports; plan, organize, and lead archeological field projects.

Senior State Archeologist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of effective supervision and personnel management; major programs, policy development and administration; administrative principles and methods; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and initiate major concepts and develop innovative cultural resource management programs with regional or statewide impact; assume authority and responsibility for a major program; effectively administer major and complex programs in a regional area or headquarters; provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team of professionals in development of innovative solutions to the most difficult cultural resource management problems; develop alternatives in the solution of the management problems and select realistic courses of action; coordinate regional or statewide cultural resource programs of other governmental agencies; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Supervisor, Cultural Resources Program

Knowledge of: All of the above, and all departmentwide cultural resource programs and responsibilities; budgeting and other administrative responsibilities.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, and direct the work of a professional and technical staff; coordinate and direct all cultural resource planning and management efforts and activities; plan and direct the studies in a major section; analyze technical data and make appropriate recommendations.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

All Levels:

In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to candidates possessing a Master's Degree in Archeology or Anthropology, and/or a record which demonstrates expertise in California archeology, such as authorship of published reports and participation in seminars and professional conferences.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State and work irregular hours.

Class History