Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director

SWCA Environmental Consultants • Phoenix, AZ

116d • $26 - $33

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist - Field Director to support our Phoenix, AZ Cultural Resources Team. Under supervision of Cultural Resources Team Leads and Project Managers, an Assistant Project Archaeologist–Field Director performs field and office tasks while working with and supervising crew members. Role will be primarily field based. The Field Director will manage all aspects of fieldwork, supervising one or more crews of archaeological surveyors, monitors, and/or excavators. They may also assist with office-based tasks, including preparation of site forms and technical reports in support of a variety of renewable energy, oil and gas, energy transmission, transportation, and land development projects. Some projects include overtime hours or prevailing wage rates and often require travel and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. Anticipated fieldwork will occur throughout Arizona, across various land jurisdictions. The candidate may be asked to submit to background screening to work in some of these locations. This position is a regular, full-time, 40+ hour per week, hourly position. Candidates local to the greater Phoenix, AZ area are strongly preferred. To be considered, please provide a cover letter and a resume/CV with professional references. Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
• Has led crews of field technicians on a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
• Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision making.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and technical writing.
• Has demonstrated skills relating to QA/QC review of field documents and site forms.
• Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours (sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and at high altitudes), plus additional hours organizing paperwork/emails daily.
• Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to provide guidance and feedback on crew performance as per company guidelines.
• Has enough experience to be able to rationally deal with the unexpected (changes in weather, changes in client demands, changes in crew makeup or size, etc.).
• Valid Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record, and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.
• Applicant must be willing to participate in a drug testing and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, as some projects require such screenings.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or related field.
• Four (4) years or more of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
• Candidates who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology.
• Qualified for listing on the AAA blanket survey permit, BLM Statewide Arizona Cultural Use Permit, and/or National Forest permits as a Field Director.
• Possess advanced skills and knowledge in one or more specialty areas. Of particular interest are lithic analysis, geoarchaeology, and historical archaeology.
• Experience writing technical archaeology reports to SHPO standards.
• Knowledge of federal and state preservation laws and regulations including, but not limited to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• CPR and First Aid certified.

Responsibilities

• Supervise fieldwork, including archaeological survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring and ensure quality and completeness of data collected.
• Data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; field GPS data collection using tablets with ESRI Field Maps, and Geodes.
• Ensure that appropriate preliminary research is conducted and organized prior to fieldwork, and that necessary equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared for fieldwork.
• Accurately identify historic and prehistoric artifacts and features, and train less experienced field crew in their identification.
• Create and maintain good morale among field crew and mentor junior staff.
• Assist with office-based tasks, as needed, including performing Class I literature reviews, research, site forms, technical report preparation, tracking milestones, schedules, and budgets.
• Communicate effectively when reporting to Team Leads, Principal Investigators, and Project Managers.
• Work independently in a responsible manner.
• Work within defined schedules and meet deadlines.
• Follow all SWCA health and safety procedures.
• Takes responsibility for team safety, developing safety plans (when applicable), and anticipating potential safety hazards.

Benefits

• 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
• Medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans.
• Eligibility to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.
• Professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs.
• Education reimbursement.
• Bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria.
• Supportive, team-oriented work environment.
• Competitive wages.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees