Physical/Forensic Anthropology Assistant

Submitted: 01/21/2026
Submitted By: Coral Ortega
Department: Utah State Historic Preservation Office
Institution: State of Utah
Job type: Full time
Apply by: 02/11/2026
Application Email:
Application URL: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah/jobs/5204544/physical-forensic-anthropology-assistant

The Utah State Historic Preservation Office is looking for a Physical/Forensic Anthropology Assistant (Program Specialist) to assist with the Ancient Human Remains Program within the Antiques Section. The anticipated start date for this role is May 4, 2026.

The incumbent is responsible for assisting with the recovery, analysis, and determination of cultural affiliation of ancient human remains recovered from private and certain state lands in Utah (UCA 9-8a-309 and R453-1). The incumbent works closely with the Ancient Human Remains Program lead (the State Physical/Forensic Anthropologist) on discoveries of human remains.

In recovery situations the incumbent has the responsibility to assist with the rapid response to situations involving human remains discoveries on nonfederal lands in Utah. The incumbent should have experience in the excavation and recovery of human skeletal materials. The incumbent should be able to travel throughout Utah for overnight to multiple night stays with minimal notice.

The incumbent is tasked with assisting in anthropological skeletal analyses of ancient human remains for the determination of cultural affiliation as required by Utah Code. To conduct the analysis and determination of cultural affiliation of ancient human skeletal remains the incumbent must have specialized education, training, and experience in human skeletal analysis.

Principal Duties
The Physical/Forensic Anthropology Assistant will:
Conduct archaeological excavation of human remains, including screening and shoveling of associated soils.
Conduct anthropological examinations and evaluate results for determination of lineal descent or cultural affiliation of ancient human remains which includes statements on cultural affiliation, age, sex, ancestry, trauma, various metrics, and pathology.
Assist with the operations of the osteology laboratory and properly use various osteometric tools required for human skeletal remains analysis.
Assist with the reporting on fieldwork, publishing the results, and preparing determinations of cultural affiliation statements as per Utah Code 9-8a-309 and 9-9-403 for human remains.
Assist with repatriation of human remains and with the preparation and placement of human remains in the appropriate burial repository.
Update and maintain both computer and paper records for each set of human remains, all determinations of cultural affiliation, and the final disposition of human remains.
Assist with online and in-person training for law enforcement and other appropriate groups.
Other duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate
Incumbent is required to have specialized education, training, and experience in human skeletal analysis. Additionally, the Incumbent should:
Be able to independently analyze human skeletal remains for the accurate identification of age at death, sex, ancestry, trauma, and pathology for the determination of cultural affiliation.
Be able to identify the morphological and metric differences and similarities among the archaeological populations of Utah.
Be able to use scientific instruments and equipment, including those used in skeletal analysis.
Have experience in archaeological excavation and recovery of human skeletal materials.
Have knowledge or be willing to gain knowledge for the use and interpretation of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for the detection of archaeological and historic burials.
Have the ability to travel for multiple nights throughout Utah with minimal notice.
Have the physical ability to appropriately and quickly excavate archaeological burials.
Have the physical ability to lift 40 lbs. from ground to chest height multiple times intermittently throughout a workday.
Have the physical ability to operate a shaker screen intermittently for multiple hours throughout a workday.
Have the physical ability to perform archaeological excavation work outside in varying conditions (all seasons) for an entire workday and for multiple days in a row.
Correctly follow a given rule or set of rules to arrange things or actions in a certain order.
Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand information and ideas as presented verbally; ensure compliance with contract terms, policies and procedures.
Understand and implement research methods, techniques, and/or identify sources of information required to complete job duties.
Be able to compose and produce reports, documents and related material.
Write clearly and concisely.
Read and comprehend information presented.

Preferences
Preference may be given to those with:
A master’s degree or higher in physical/biological/forensic anthropology.