Cultural Resource Specialist

Cultural Resource Specialist ID: ANC1-007 Location: Raleigh Program: ACE Wage/Hr: $30.41 Hours/Week: 30 Minimum Age: 55 Disclaimer: This is not a federal position. This role is offered through a partnership agreement and does not constitute an NRCS hiring action. This position is a non-federal role funded through an existing agreement between NRCS and NEW Solutions. The enrollee is not a federal employee. The enrollee will provide direct support to farmers and landowners, enabling the implementation of conservation practices on the ground. This role contributes to meeting the mission of NRCS by enhancing capacity in field offices and ensuring timely assistance to producers. It is designed to free up NRCS staff for emergency and high-priority responses, not to replace federal staff. This role helps ensure continued progress on conservation planning, practice implementation, and technical assistance, especially in high-demand or disaster-affected areas. Additionally, this position aligns with the priorities of the Administration for farmer-first, field-facing, and partner-enabled capacity expansion. If you have any questions or need additional information, please don?t hesitate to reach out. For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States. NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). These are experienced professionals who provide technical and professional assistance to the Department of Agriculture for the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program. Benefits: Paid Health Insurance Premium for positions budgeted at 60+ hours per pay period, Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave, Paid Federal Holidays, and optional Vision and Dental Insurance available for positions budgeted at 35+ hours per pay period. Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee. PLEASE NOTE: An ?ACES Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?ACES Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the USDA-NRCS and administered by NEW Solutions. This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States. Qualifications: Minimum of 15 year(s) of experience in anthropology, archaeology, cultural resource management, or a closely related field. OR MA/MS Degree in anthropology, archaeology, cultural resource management, or a closely related field. IF have Master?s degree or higher in anthropology, archaeology, cultural resource management, or a closely related field, must have at least one year of full-time professional experience in archaeological research, operations, or management, including some supervisory experience. Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, ARCVIEW (GIS) Duties: Provide advice to the State Conservationist (STC) and principal staff, assist in determinations of significance findings, consult with SHPOs and THPOs on the National Register of Historic Places eligibility, oversee reviews of NRCS undertakings, field surveys, provide guidance to field personnel on identification and avoidance of cultural resources, complete compliance documentation for SHPO and THPO, provide training, and conduct quality assurance and control reviews.This role is designed as hybrid (combination of telework/office work and field deployment). Travel is intrinsic to performing field views and stakeholder meetings statewide; assign final travel expectations based on NC workload and program coverage (25-50% travel may be required, with occasional higher periods). Lead Section 106 Compliance & Consultation (Primary SHPO/HPO interface): Consult directly with the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (HPO/SHPO) for all applicable undertakings in NC, ensuring timely submittals and coordination consistent with the HPO?s environmental review process and timeline. Ensure NRCS compliance with its General Manual (GM 420 401) responsibilities (lead agency duties, documentation, qualifications, and coordination with ACHP/SHPO/THPOs). 30% Statewide Travel & Stakeholder Coordination: Travel across North Carolina to conduct field views, site meetings, and interagency coordination as needed; position is hybrid with telework/office duties plus regular instate travel. (CRS roles may require 25?50% travel, occasionally exceeding 50%, depending on State needs.). 30% Field Views, Reconnaissance & Intensive Cultural Resource Surveys: Conduct on-site field views across North Carolina to identify and evaluate historic properties and archaeological resources; prepare or oversee Historic Structure Survey Reports (HSSR) and archaeology survey deliverables in accordance with NC HPO standards and OSA guidelinesDocument site conditions, integrity, and potential eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places; coordinate with qualified consultants when needed. 20% Technical Review, Effects Findings & Compliance Documentation:Prepare and submit complete project review packages to NC HPO following the Project Review Checklist and respond to HPO review comments (30 day cycle). Maintain clear, complete records (APE maps, eligibility determinations, findings of effect, and consultation correspondence). Draft Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) or Programmatic Agreements (PA) when adverse effects cannot be avoided, in coordination with SHPO/ACHP and other parties. 10% Government to Government & Tribal Coordination Support: Support and, where appropriate, facilitate consultation with federally recognized Tribes/THPOs per NRCS guidance and 36 CFR Part 800, ensuring respectful and timely engagement on undertakings that may affect tribal interests. 5% Training, Technical Assistance & Partner Engagement: Provide training and day to day guidance to NRCS field staff, conservation partners, and local sponsors on cultural resources compliance, survey standards, and consultation protocols. Align training with NRCS GM 420 401 personnel responsibilities and qualification standards. 3% Data Management, GIS Mapping & Records Access: Maintain geospatial datasets (APE, surveyed resources, prior investigations), ensure accessibility of reports and data consistent with NRCS policy on access to data and reports, and secure sensitive locational information. 2% Other: GSA Fleet Training. AgLearn Training as it relates to the position. Overnight travel: Typically, 1-2 overnight trips per month, with occasional periods of higher frequency during peak project seasons. Health and Safety Considerations: The incumbent must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local health and safety regulations, agency policies, and site-specific requirements. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Conduct or review a JHA prior to field activities; identify hazards, mitigation measures, emergency procedures, and required PPE. Maintain readiness for extended field days, variable weather, uneven terrain, and remote locations. Immediately report incidents, near-misses, hazards, and unsafe conditions through established agency channels. Required Safety Gear: Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on tasks and environment (e.g., safety footwear, high-visibility vest, hard hat, eye/ear protection, gloves, sun protection, insect repellent, and weather-appropriate attire). Physical requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.

Created: 2026-03-10