Cultural Resource Specialist II

HISTORY COLORADO has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, because of that, we are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and ultimately the effectiveness of our organization.

Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.

As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.

We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.

In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:

• Being in Community
• Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
• Co-creation and Shared Authority
• Humility and Reflection
• Responsiveness and Flexibility
• Shared Destiny

Mission Statement: We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans: stateofcoloradobenefits.com
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• State of Health employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi .

The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP)’s Information Management unit is hiring a permanent, full-time position. The employee in this position is responsible for ensuring that the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) stewards and manages its data in conformation with state and federal law, established ethical standards, and best practices in information management. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, review of new and legacy cultural site and project information for data accuracy and incorporation of that information into the OAHP database and the Geographic Information System (GIS); day-to-day management of the Compass online database platform; regular site and project number assignments; production of deliverables for OAHP revenue services; as well as providing technical assistance and contributing production performance suggestions.

This position performs duties that require the use of discretion and creativity within limits of theory and principles of archaeology, history or historic preservation; the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation’s (OAHP) program objectives; Information Management’s unit objectives; and, laws and regulations pertaining to cultural resource management. This position is expected to apply concepts, principles, and techniques of professional cultural resource management to the administration and management of cultural resource data.

Conduct File Searches

• Provide deliverables consistent with the nature of the formal request received in alignment with the professional qualifications needed to receive restricted cultural resource and paleontological data.
• Communicate with constituents, including other professional entities.
• Analyze specific requests utilizing knowledge of the database and communication skills to devise the most effective method to retrieve information from the database and prepare reports substantiating solutions.
• May also be called upon to periodically assist with providing deliverables for other revenue services, when needed.

Compass Online Database Management

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Compass online database platform, which the subscription database service available to constituents and other qualified individuals for retrieving OAHP GIS and attribute data.
• Position entails providing subject matter expertise when collaborating on platform technical development with vendors and interfacing with IT support provided by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT).
• Responsible for engaging daily with the platform’s email account, providing technical assistance and answering questions posed by users.
• Position may also assist with and/or provide directly one-on-one training sessions for users, as well as informational presentations and webinars when they are requested (e.g., by Certified Local Governments, Historical Commissions, etc.).
• Performs regular data collection via the platform’s administrative interface, at request of the platform Administrator, as well as ensuring appropriate billing actions are taken, especially for institutions that do not incur fees because of their type (e.g., registered non-profits, students with support of supervising faculty, etc.).
• Meet regularly with the Platform Administrator to discuss any reported issues, provide suggestions based on informal user feedback and/or formal surveys for future system upgrades and modifications, and draft and/or update technical guides relating to the platform’s functions.
• Additional duties relating to platform development and/or management may be assigned as they arise.

Update and Maintain Database Information

• On a daily basis this position must independently analyze, interpret and synthesize subjective cultural resource information from different forms submitted by diverse professionals, public entities and individuals conducting field work throughout the state.
• Identify problems with the existing data, process the original source material by evaluating the data, and making the appropriate corrections.
• Standardize the results by applying OAHP database protocol, so that that the retrieval of cultural resources by specific attributes is accurate.
• This position is expected to perform these duties without direct approval of their supervisor.

Oversee Statewide Numbering System

• Oversee the statewide Smithsonian site numbering system for the state’s cultural resources.
• Issue site numbers to professionals, tracks receipt of appropriate documents, and corrects discrepancies.
• Coordinates with other Information Management staff in ensuring all number requests are fulfilled in a timely manner.

Update and Maintain Geographic Information System (GIS)

• Identify problems with the legal location given on the site maps and the written descriptions on the site forms.
• Rectify the problems by analyzing the given data and independently making a decision as to which is correct.
• Process digital geospatial data using GIS software to assist in the production of standard cultural resource management maps.

Scan Cultural Resource Forms, Reports, and Associated Documentation

• Organize and prepare documents for scanning.
• Using appropriate hardware and software scan rectified cultural resource forms, reports, and associated documentation to OAHP standards.
• Upload scanned files for access on internal network, internal systems, and online access.

Technical Assistance

• Respond to questions from internal staff, interns, and volunteers about OAHP/Information Management systems.
• Respond to general questions from the public, as well as specific questions relating to OAHP/Information Management, and the Compass platform.
• Represent the agency as a speaker in public education and outreach opportunities (e.g., public schools, webinars, etc.).
• Conduct archaeological fieldwork by applying professional methods and produce reports consistent with professional standards.
• Provide archaeological expertise by participating in grant review and staff committees.

Production Performance

• Assist in the development of methods to improve the production performance of the Information Management Unit.
• Make recommendations to staff for acquisitions (e.g., hardware, software, etc.) which will result in more efficient production.

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in anthropology, history, historic preservation, or directly related field. A combination of full-time work experience in archaeology, history or historic preservation, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree only.
• Must have at least four months of supervised field and analytic experience, preferably in the western United States, including Colorado or Wyoming, in archaeology, history, or historic preservation.
• Must have knowledge of cartography (e.g., map scale, projections, datums, etc.) and the skills to analyze complex cultural resource and geographic data derived from site forms and documents pertaining to the management of cultural resources.
• Ability to use computer hardware, networks, and associated peripherals.
• Ability to use GIS.
• Ability to use the internet to acquire and/or distribute digital data.
• Experience with databases.
• These skills cannot be acquired in the first six months of the job as our office has little fieldwork, no college level course work, and limited opportunities in which to gain the required knowledge of archaeological techniques and practices needed to properly serve professional archaeologists as well as the public.

Supplemental Materials to Include with Your Application

In addition to the online application, please make sure to include the following documents and information with your submission:

• Cover letter
• Resume/CV
• Writing sample (technical documentation preferred, if available)
• Three (3) references within their application

Working with Volunteers: The volunteers of History Colorado are an important and dedicated group crucial to our operations. Engagement of our volunteer team is a core strategic function for achieving the mission of this organization. Therefore, volunteer engagement is an integral part of the work of all History Colorado staff members.

History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in these grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete the application. To request an accommodation, please contact Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email .