Job Summary:

Field Technician will assist with excavation of the cemetery associated with the original Mississippi State Mental Asylum located on the UMMC campus and containing the unmarked graves of over 4,000 individuals. The technicians are responsible for conducting reconnaissance survey, the establishment of grids, artifact collection, test unit and feature excavation and documentation.

Responsibilities:

Assist with excavation of the cemetery and will include mapping and field photography.

Conduct testing and data recovery

Draw features in plan and profile which confirm to mapping conventions

Complete field forms accurately and concisely

Perform lab work and properly label collection bags and samples

The duties listed are general in nature and are examples of the duties and responsibilities performed and are not meant to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Considerable discretion, initiative, and independent judgement in non-routine matters. Individual must have ample organizational skills. Ability to manage time-critical situations in order to fulfill deadline requirements. Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to work independently and in a team. Ability to search for pertinent facts and data, analyze and evaluate information, and form accurate conclusions.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Requires constant exposure to unpleasant or disagreeable physical environment such as high noise level and exposure to heat and cold, occasional handling or working with potentially dangerous equipment, occasional working hours significantly beyond regularly scheduled hours, constant bending, frequent lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, occasional climbing, constant crouching/stooping, constant kneeling, occasional pushing/pulling, occasional reaching, frequent sitting, frequent standing, frequent twisting, and frequent walking. (occasional-up to 20%, frequent-from 21% to 50%, constant-51% or more)

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field and experience to include one year of general archaeological field experience or any experience in historical burial excavation (paid or unpaid) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses, Certificates or Registration: N/A