Job Listing
🔗Forest Archaeology Individual Placements
Appalachian Conservation Corps and the US Forest Service
Overview:
Positions: 10
Location: Based out of Roanoke, VA
Dates of Service: Feb. 23rd, 2026 for a 50-week term
Pay: $760/week paid biweekly ($480/week living stipend + $280 additional member benefit)
Status: This is a full-time, temporary 1700-hour AmeriCorps National Service position.
Questions? Contact ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org
Appalachian Conservation Corps:
Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.
Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
Position Summary:
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests include eight Ranger Districts covering 34 counties in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The area covers nearly 1.8 million acres of public land, representing one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States.
Appalachian Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Forest Service in Virginia are recruiting 3 teams of Forest Archaeology Individual Placements to work on projects in 2026.
During their terms, members will conduct archaeological monitoring, survey, excavation of archaeological resources, GIS recordation, as well as the recordation and reporting of archaeological sites and survey for the USFS to the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office and various Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. Fieldwork includes locating prehistoric and historic sites, recording archaeological and environmental data, maintaining essential field documentation, and reporting the information collected. Project work may vary but will include shovel testing, pedestrian survey, open excavations, back filling, artifact processing, GPS recordation of site locations, and ground delineation of sites for physical avoidance. Laboratory work includes production of field catalogs and inventories of archaeological data, washing and sorting artifacts, analyzing artifacts, and field data, producing maps and drawings, database entry, cataloging and entering site data into both NRM and VCRIS recordation systems .
In addition to archaeological work, projects may include some interdisciplinary work pertaining to natural resource management depending on the needs of the partnering agency. During their terms, Interns will receive training and certifications to be able to participate in various archaeological projects. This position is heavily field based and involves frequent travel to districts throughout the forest and daily physical activity.
Essential roles and responsibilities include:
Cultural Resource Survey with Archaeologist
Complete background research for the project area, develop field maps, schedule, and prepare equipment
Conduct pedestrian survey or other approved survey methods for the project area
Record cultural resources in the field: write forms, take photos, record location
Flag cultural resources for avoidance
Download data at the office
Write Cultural Resource Documentation with Archaeologist
Essential functions and responsibilities
Develop GIS maps for the project area and any documented cultural resources
Collaborate on completing cultural resource forms and reports
Maintain cultural resource project documentation and records
Housing is NOT provided for this position. We are seeking candidates who reside within the surrounding area.
Benefits:
$760/week paid biweekly ($480/week living stipend + $280 additional member benefit)
$7,395 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)
$1000 professional development fund
Option to enroll in health, vision and dental insurance
Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions.
Federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff
Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist
Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered (Chainsaw training, pesticides, etc)
Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements
Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume that highlights any education, work or volunteer experience, skills and trainings that may apply to this position. In addition to your resume, you may submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements.
Our Promise:
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.