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HPO still working to fill archaeologist post
Three individuals from off-island have expressed interest in the Historic Preservation Office’s vacant staff archaeologist position, according the HPO director Merti Kani yesterday.
Though these individuals have yet to apply, HPO clarified the position has been sent to their federal counterpart, the Historic Preservation Fund, to certify the application or make sure the list of requirements by the federal office are in the application, the office explained.
Once the application comes back with the list of requirements, the application will be sent to the interested individuals for filing with the local government.
The staff archaeologist salary, housing allowance, and travel costs will be funded at 50 percent by federal funds and 50 percent by local funds in fiscal years 2015 to 2016. Travel will be funded federally.
Last month, the Historic Preservation Review Board bemoaned the lack of an archaeologist to guide the board and the office in consultation talks with the U.S military over the impact of proposed live-fire training on Tinian and Pagan, for example.
The office’s last archaeologist, Eric Lash, resigned last month.
Saipan Tribune earlier reported that only one individual applied for the position when it was last vacant. Kani clarified yesterday that there were a “few” interested but they did not meet the application requirements.
