Assistant Project Archaeologist

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Tucson, AZ

2h•Onsite

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an Assistant Project Archaeologist–Field Director to support its cultural resources team in Tucson, Arizona. Under the supervision of Cultural Resources Team Leads and Project Managers, the role performs field and office tasks and works with and supervises crew members. The position is primarily field-based and manages all aspects of fieldwork, including supervising archaeological surveyors, monitors, and/or excavators. Office tasks may include preparing site forms and technical reports for renewable energy, oil and gas, energy transmission, transportation, and land development projects. Fieldwork is anticipated throughout Arizona across various land jurisdictions, and background screening may be required for some locations. Projects may involve overtime, prevailing wage rates, travel, and overnight stays. Project-related travel and lodging costs are covered, and per diem is provided for project work requiring overnight stays. This is a regular, full-time, hourly/non-exempt position of 40 or more hours per week. Applicants are asked to provide a cover letter in addition to a resume or CV. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
Two years of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
Experience leading field technician crews on projects of varied types, sizes, regions, and agencies.
Demonstrated skills in QA/QC review of field documents and site forms.
Ability to respond rationally to unexpected changes, including weather, client demands, and crew makeup or size.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on rugged, backcountry roads.
Willingness to participate in pre-employment drug testing and alcohol screening, as required for some projects.
Excellent leadership and supervision abilities, including problem-solving, constructive conflict resolution, and decision-making.
Strong verbal communication and technical writing skills.
Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork for long hours, sometimes in inclement weather, rugged terrain, and at high altitudes, and to spend additional hours organizing paperwork and emails daily.
Ability to carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
Ability to provide crew performance guidance and feedback in accordance with company guidelines.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, or a related field.
Three years of experience working as a field archaeologist in the Southwest.
Meeting the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology.
Qualification for listing on the AAA blanket survey permit, BLM Statewide Arizona Cultural Use Permit, and/or National Forest permits as a Field Director.
Advanced skills or knowledge in one or more specialty areas; lithic analysis, geoarchaeology, and historical archaeology are of particular interest.
Experience writing technical archaeology reports to SHPO standards.
Knowledge of federal and state preservation laws and regulations, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
CPR and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

Lead or assist assigned projects, taking responsibility for technical approach, project management, and quality assurance and control.
Develop and manage deliverables for complex projects and manage tasks under the direction of a senior project manager.
Adapt methods to meet future client needs and contribute expertise in the professional discipline.
Encourage team collaboration and effective information sharing.
Make project management or task decisions using sound judgment and considering trade-offs within project parameters.
Develop and manage technical approaches and direct or conduct quality assurance and control tasks.
Assist with technical reviews of deliverables to ensure they meet project requirements and professional standards.
Communicate effectively with clients and agencies, respond to their requirements, and develop professional relationships.
Complete project tasks promptly, address issues, contribute to client satisfaction, and support team collaboration.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Supervise archaeological fieldwork, including survey, testing, data recovery, and/or construction monitoring, and ensure data quality and completeness.
Perform data QA/QC, organization, and tracking; collect field GPS data using tablets with ESRI Field Maps and Geodes.
Ensure preliminary research is completed and organized before fieldwork and that equipment, staff, and other resources are prepared.
Identify historic and prehistoric artifacts and features, and train less experienced crew members in identification.
Maintain good morale among field crews and mentor junior staff.
Assist with office tasks as needed, including Class I literature reviews, research, site forms, technical report preparation, and tracking milestones, schedules, and budgets.
Report and communicate effectively with Team Leads, Principal Investigators, and Project Managers.
Perform related work as assigned.